Fortescue Metals Group Ltd, commonly known as Fortescue, is a leading Australian iron ore producer headquartered in Perth, Western Australia. Founded in 2003, the company has rapidly established itself as a key player in the global mining industry, particularly in the Pilbara region, where it operates extensive iron ore mines. Specialising in the extraction and export of iron ore, Fortescue is renowned for its innovative approach to mining and commitment to sustainability. The company has achieved significant milestones, including the development of the world-class Chichester Hub and the introduction of advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency. With a strong market position, Fortescue is recognised for its high-quality iron ore products and has made notable strides in reducing its carbon footprint, positioning itself as a forward-thinking leader in the mining sector.
How does Fortescue's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Salt and Mineral Mining industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Fortescue's score of 69 is higher than 84% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd reported total carbon emissions of approximately 2360000000 kg CO2e for Scope 1, 500000000 kg CO2e for Scope 2 (market-based), and a significant 269310000000 kg CO2e for Scope 3 emissions. This reflects a slight increase in Scope 1 emissions from 2023, where they were about 2200000000 kg CO2e, while Scope 2 emissions decreased from 540000000 kg CO2e in the previous year. The company has set ambitious targets to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations by 2030, aiming for a 26% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions from 2020 levels by 2030. Fortescue is committed to eliminating approximately 90% of its terrestrial Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its Australian iron ore operations by 2030, focusing on renewable energy and transitioning to battery electric and green hydrogen models. Additionally, the company aims for net-zero Scope 3 emissions by 2040. These commitments are part of Fortescue's broader strategy to achieve Real Zero emissions, which entails a comprehensive decarbonisation plan without relying on voluntary carbon offsets. The company is a signatory to the Climate Pledge and has committed to long-term net-zero operational GHG emissions by 2050. Fortescue's emissions data is not cascaded from any parent organization, ensuring that their targets and achievements are independently reported.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 1,717,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | 000,000,000,000 | - | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 |
Fortescue's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 1% last year and increased by approximately 8% since 2021, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Nearly all of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing nearly all emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Processing of Sold Products" being the largest emissions source at 97% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Fortescue has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

Common questions about Fortescue's sustainability data and climate commitments