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.
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.
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.
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.
In 2025, South32 reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 13,300,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1, 7,400,000 kg CO2e for Scope 2, and a significant 22,700,000,000 kg CO2e for Scope 3 emissions. The combined total for Scope 1 and 2 emissions reached about 20,700,000,000 kg CO2e. In 2024, the company recorded emissions of approximately 10,900,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1, 9,400,000 kg CO2e for Scope 2, and 54,200,000,000 kg CO2e for Scope 3, with a total of about 20,300,000,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1 and 2. South32 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 reflects the company's dedication to addressing climate change and reducing its carbon footprint. Additionally, a short-term target aims to keep emissions below the FY15 Scope 1 baseline by FY21, representing a 15% reduction. The emissions data is not cascaded from any parent organization, and all figures are reported directly by South32 Limited. The company continues to focus on sustainability and climate action as part of its operational strategy.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 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 |
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.
