How Rio Tinto Manages Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions

We accept that the activities of human beings and companies are contributing to climate change, through the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). These gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), hydroflurocarbons (HFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).

We also accept the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as a starting point from which to develop our policies. Our Climate Change position guides our work to reduce GHGs.

How we manage greenhouse gas emissions

We have been reporting our GHG emissions publicly since 1996. In addition to our annual external verification of health, safety and environmental data, we have participated in the Australian Greenhouse Challenge verification program. In addition, external consultants have, on two occasions, reviewed the methodology we use against the standards of the IPCC and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Our GHG emissions are largely dependent on how well we manage our energy use. To that end, we have instituted a comprehensive program of energy audits at our operations to identify a range of energy saving opportunities, and several of these have already been successfully implemented. More than 80 per cent of Rio Tinto’s energy use has been audited during the past five years.

In 2004, we set five year targets to reduce our GHG emissions by four per cent per ton of product by 2008 (using a 2003 baseline) and to reduce energy use per ton of product by five per cent per ton of product over the same period.

How we measure and account for greenhouse gases

Our GHG emissions inventory includes all six GHGs in the Kyoto protocol that are above reporting thresholds. These thresholds have been set to ensure that over 95 per cent of emissions are accounted for. In 2006, no emissions of SF6 or HFCs were reported.

The way in which we report on GHG emissions is consistent with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol [1] of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Resources Institute, and the understanding of issues associated with data reliability is continuing to improve.