Glencore comment on UNEP funded paper
Media statement
Sydney, Australia
Glencore has significant doubts about the credibility of the UNEP funded paper published by the American Chemical Society (ACS).
The UNEP paper uses out of date data in combination with extremely limited aerial surveys conducted over a period representing less than 1% of the mine’s operating time within a two-year period. This limited data was then used to extrapolate an annual emissions inventory for the mine. The use of such a small data sample lacks credibility.
The UNEP paper:
- Does not acknowledge that our Hail Creek mine has moved from Method 1 to a Method 2 measurement approach;
- Does not reflect inherent mining variability;
- Failed to detect methane emissions from parts of our Hail Creek mine ( which are reported under NGERs);
- Failed to assess upwind methane emissions; and
- Simplistically attributes any methane anomalies in the vicinity of the mine to the mine, without any data to support whether these emissions are related to the mine or from other sources.
We believe these deficiencies in the paper published by ACS highlight again the shortfalls of satellite / remote sensing methods and unsuitability for annual inventory reporting.
The Australian Government and its Climate Change Authority have also stated that further work is required before such methods can be applied to estimate emissions inventory with transparency and credibility.
For further information, please contact:
Francis De Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis De Rosa
Notes for editors
About Glencore Australia
In Australia, Glencore produces coal, zinc, nickel, cobalt, copper, lead and silver from 22 active mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including concentrators, smelters and refineries.
We are among Australia’s largest producers and marketers of natural resources, connecting Australian resources with industrial customers around the world. Through our diverse portfolio, we responsibly supply the resources that advance everyday life.
We employ 17,460 people in Australia and in 2023 contributed almost $23.5 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $12.9 billion with 7,000 businesses across the country, as well as $8.2 billion in government tax and royalty payments.
We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people, to respecting the environment, to engaging openly and constructively with the Traditional Owners on whose lands we operate and to bringing value to local communities.
We will support the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement through our efforts to decarbonise our own operational footprint. We believe that we should take a holistic approach and have considered our commitment through the lens of our global industrial emissions. For more information see our 2024-2026 Climate Action Transition Plan and the About our emissions calculation and reporting section in our 2023 Annual Report, available on our website at glencore.com/publications.
Learn more about Glencore Australia.