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 carbon 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, resulting in a combined total of about 20,700,000,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1 and 2. In 2024, the company recorded 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, leading to a total of around 20,300,000,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1 and 2. South32 has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce its operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 50% by 2035, using a fiscal year 2021 baseline. This long-term target reflects the company's commitment to sustainability and aligns with industry standards for climate action. Additionally, South32's short-term goal is to remain below its FY15 Scope 1 carbon emission baseline by FY21, representing a 15% reduction. The emissions data is not cascaded from any parent organization, indicating that South32's reporting is independent. The company actively engages in initiatives to enhance its environmental performance, demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing climate change.
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.

