South32 Sustainability Profile
South32 Limited, commonly referred to as South32, is a globally recognised mining and metals company headquartered in Australia. Established in 2015, the company emerged from the demerger of BHP Billiton, focusing on a diverse portfolio of operations across Australia, Southern Africa, and South America. Operating primarily in the mining industry, South32 is renowned for its production of essential commodities, including aluminium, coal, manganese, nickel, and silver. The company distinguishes itself through its commitment to sustainable practices and innovation in resource extraction. With a strong market position, South32 has achieved notable milestones, including significant investments in renewable energy initiatives and community engagement projects. Its dedication to responsible mining and operational excellence continues to enhance its reputation as a leader in the global resources sector.
DitchCarbon Score
How does South32'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.
Industry Average
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.
Industry Benchmark
South32's score of 45 is higher than 68% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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South32's reported carbon emissions
In 2025, South32 reported total carbon emissions of approximately 43.4 billion kg CO2e, comprising 13.3 million kg CO2e from Scope 1, 7.4 million kg CO2e from Scope 2, and about 22.7 billion kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. This data reflects a comprehensive approach to emissions reporting, including all relevant scopes. The company has set ambitious targets to reduce its operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 50% by 2035, using a fiscal year 2021 baseline. This long-term commitment underscores South32's dedication to addressing climate change and aligns with industry standards for sustainability. In previous years, South32's emissions were also significant, with a total of approximately 74.5 billion kg CO2e in 2024 and about 22.0 billion kg CO2e in 2023. The company has demonstrated a proactive stance in managing its carbon footprint, with a short-term target to remain below its FY15 Scope 1 emissions baseline by FY21, aiming for a 15% reduction. Overall, South32's climate commitments and emissions data reflect a strategic focus on sustainability and a clear pathway towards significant emissions reductions in the coming years.
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| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 11,212,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 13,177,000,000 | - | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | - | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | 00,000,000 | - | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | - | - | - | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
How Carbon Intensive is South32's Industry?
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South32's Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)
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.
South32 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.
