Abstract

Scope 3 emissions account for over 60% of the overall GHG emissions footprint of the mining sector, and decarbonization of the entire value chain of mining will potentially have a major positive impact on delivering 2030 and 2050 emissions targets globally. This study explores how setting effective Scope 3 targets can drive meaningful decarbonization across the mining supply chain and the key challenges companies encounter in this process.

Scope 3 target setting allows mining companies to address emissions associated with services, goods, and products they are using and downstream impacts, including logistics, mid- and downstream processing, refining, and use of mined products. Profiling the materially through accurately accounting for these emissions is essential for identifying high-impact reduction opportunities, communicating with stakeholders, engaging with suppliers and contractors, improving transparency and establishing realistic and achievable Scope 3 targets aligned with broader global climate goals.

However, the journey toward Scope 3 decarbonization in mining is complex. Key challenges include data availability and reliability, as tracking emissions across an extensive and often fragmented supply chain requires high collaboration, standardized reporting mechanisms, and technology integration. Additionally, since many suppliers operate in different regulatory environments with varying levels of climate ambition, achieving alignment on emission reductions can be challenging. Scope 3 decarbonization also entails significant investment, as companies need to integrate new processes, invest in green technologies, and engage in capacity-building initiatives within their supply chains.

This session will discuss major challenges in setting scientifically robust, actionable Scope 3 targets within the mining sector, including using industry-specific benchmarks and collaborative frameworks to facilitate decarbonization across diverse supply chains. Practical approaches to overcoming challenges will also be explored, such as developing standardized measurement tools, business culture differences based on the jurisdictional diversity, engaging stakeholders effectively, and incentivizing supplier compliance. This presentation will offer attendees actionable insights and case studies on integrating Scope 3 emissions into their decarbonization roadmaps, fostering sustainable partnerships, incentivizing suppliers to innovate and adopt lower-carbon practices, and leveraging target setting to build resilience against evolving regulatory and market demands.