Global GHG emissions of select major mining companies FY 2022

In financial year 2022, the state-owned China Shenhua Energy emitted 176.4 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) – more than many other major global mining companies. Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions from Glencore, the world’s leading mining company based on revenue, were 28 MtCO₂e in financial year 2022.

Mining emissions across the mining value chain

Scope 3 emissions across the mining value chain dwarf Scope 1 and 2 operational emissions, often accounting for more than 95 percent of a mining company’s carbon footprint. For example, Rio Tinto’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions were 30.3 MtCO₂e in FY 2022, but the company’s Scope 3 emissions were estimated at almost 600 MtCO₂e. Scope 3 emissions for mining consist of indirect emissions such as upstream production of fuels used in the mining industry.

Coal mine emissions

Coal mining, which accounts for roughly two percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, is a major source of methane emissions. Globally, China produces the highest annual methane emissions from operational coal mines by far, with 3.5 GtCO₂e as of July 2022. This is roughly four times higher than the combined methane emissions of the next top five ranked countries.