Beyond emissions reductions: climate change and mining

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Commendable and important as mining companies’ commitments to become carbon-neutral are, emissions reduction is only one element of a responsible response to climate change. Conspicuously missing from current efforts is action to assess and address climate-related risks on people and environments impacted by mining – essential for a just transition.

Recent research by RMF reveals that the majority of assessed large mining companies cannot demonstrate they have considered how climate change may exacerbate the impacts of their operations on communities, workers and the environment. Climate change is already aggravating mining-related risks to water, biodiversity, forests and health, and these are expected to worsen without adequate responses by the companies concerned.