MCA confirms 2050 net zero emissions target

The Minerals Council of Australia says the resources sector is targeting net zero emissions by 2050 in support of the goals of the Paris Agreement. "A more sustainable minerals sector is not only important for Australia’s post-COVID recovery, it is also helping to sustain and improve the lives of millions around the world, providing the critical raw materials necessary for modern and emerging economies to flourish in a decarbonised future," MCA chief executive officer Tania Constable said. In June 2020, the MCA and members launched the Climate Action Plan as a clear commitment to do the work needed to achieve net zero emissions, she said. MCA chief executive officer Tania Constable. "To reach this objective, the MCA and member companies continue to invest in research to better understand the technologies and practices that will be necessary to achieve decarbonisation across the sector," Ms Constable said."This ambition can only be achieved through significant investment in technology and member companies are proactively adopting or considering a range of technologies including those that are already available and others where breakthrough development technology is still required." Related: $250m shot in the arm for carbon capture Activities to facilitate emissions reductions at scale include: energy efficiency initiatives, considering where renewable energy can replace current energy sources, carbon capture and storage, additional flaring and gas capture equipment, flaring of underground emissions, ventilated air methane (VAM) abatement (subject to safety considerations), electrification and funding medium-longer term negative emission technologies. Examples include: BHP’s deal for renewable energy supply aimed at halving emissions from its Queensland coal mine energy useGlencore’s carbon capture utilisation and storage project in the Surat BasinMethane captured at Anglo American’s Moranbah North, Grosvenor and Capcoal underground metallurgical coal mines being used by nearby power stations to generate more than 140 MW of electricity per annum, or enough to power 90,000 homes Ms Constable said the industry had continued to act with major members announcing collaborations with key equipment providers like Caterpillar and Komatsu to develop zero-emissions haulage, and increased deployment of renewables at mine sites such as solar energy at Weipa.

MCA confirms 2050 net zero emissions target

Industry Queensland

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