Australia’s mining giant BHP has recently been exposed in internal documents showing that its operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia are expected to reduce emissions by only about 1% by 2030, raising external doubts over whether it can meet its 2050 “net-zero emissions” commitment.
The documents reveal internal concerns about the company’s decarbonisation progress. A memo from May last year stated that BHP is “still seeking solutions to achieve net-zero emissions” and warned that delaying emissions reduction efforts into the 2040s would put the 2050 target at risk. Another document noted that the decision to continue using diesel trucks was “inconsistent with the pathway toward net zero.”
The reports also show that BHP has delayed renewable energy projects as well as the deployment of electric trucks and trains. Although the company publicly stated that large-scale electric haulage technology is “not yet mature,” internal documents indicate that employees had already assessed the deployment of 24 electric trucks at a new mine site and believed it could enhance the company’s “green mining” image.
In addition, the documents highlight the company’s strong focus on Australia’s diesel fuel tax rebate. As the largest diesel consumer in the Australian mining sector, BHP received approximately A$622 million in fuel tax credits in the last financial year. Internally, the company acknowledged that abolishing the diesel rebate would significantly increase pressure to decarbonise.
Climate and energy finance think tank analyst Tim Buckley criticised BHP, saying its current actions are “not aligned with scientific advice” and that the company is not on track to achieve its 2050 net-zero emissions target.
In response, BHP stated that its global emissions have fallen by 36% since 2020 and reiterated its commitment to achieving net zero by 2050.
Commentary:
The exposure once again highlights the significant gap between net-zero commitments and actual implementation among large mining companies. It also shows that, in balancing emissions reduction and profitability, commercial considerations still tend to take priority.
More importantly, it exposes a policy contradiction in Australia: while the government promotes emissions reduction policies, it continues to provide substantial subsidies to the mining industry through diesel fuel tax rebates. If companies continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels and policy reform remains limited, the net-zero transition risks remaining largely rhetorical. In the context of the global shift toward a green economy, this not only affects corporate reputation but also Australia’s long-term international competitiveness.