MCA acts on net zero emissions target

It outlines how the MCA and its members are taking action on climate change, underlining the role of technology in reducing emissions.

The action plan also relies on the sharing of information and increasing transparency around climate change.

The CAP, however, does not include a target date of completion in fear of undermining the minerals sector’s commitment to rapid decarbonisation.

“What’s fundamentally important to us is our collective ambition to decarbonise and signalling climate neutrality at the mine sites,” MCA chief executive Tania Constable said in a teleconference.

“A lot of our companies are moving as quickly as any other companies in the world, in some cases.

“Our view is the earlier decarbonisation happens in the industry, the better. … Putting a date on that is contrary to making decarbonisation occur as quickly as possible.”

The CAP focusses primarily on scope one (direct emissions) and scope two (indirect emissions).

Constable said that the CAP was not taking responsibility of any other sector, but of the Australian minerals sector and how it might be producing.

The CAP, however, covers the scope three emissions via its action five, which aims to build the minerals sector’s capacity relating to climate-related financial disclosure.

“We’re putting a need on the industry (to look at) various scenarios and plan (for these) appropriately and on commodity stewardship,” Constable said.

The chief executive added that the MCA responded very solidly to government agenda by putting forward a methodology to manage climate change issues in Australia.

“In 2018, the MCA put out a strong statement (that recognised) climate change and importantly supported the Paris Agreement,” Constable said.

“What this CAP does is to not just demonstrate a statement of what’s important to the sector, but it shows the members’ commitment to how we might address climate change through a range of actions and activities in what is a world-first for minerals sector in the world to (roll out) a three year work program from 2020 to 2023.”