Although mining giants worldwide are striving to curb their direct greenhouse emissions,the industry has been reluctant to tackle the emissions caused by customers from the use of their resources – known as"Scope 3"emissions – which are much greater than those caused by miners'operations.
"These emissions are generated as customers transport,transform and use our products to serve the needs of billions of people,"Mr Mackenzie said in London on Tuesday.
"They are almost 40 times higher than the emissions from our own operations."
Ahead of a long-term target for net zero emissions,BHP said it would set a"medium-term,science-based"target next year for the decarbonisation of BHP's operations reflecting the goals of the Paris climate agreement. The mining giant did not set a specific target on Scope 3 emissions,but said it would set public goals and take on a"stewardship"role for reducing emissions across its value chain,vowing to work with shippers and customers to achieve them.
"It is clear from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's 1.5 degree report that we all must work to prevent more greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere and to remove some CO2 that is already there,"Mr Mackenzie said,adding that the risks linked to the world's dependence on fossil fuels may be"existential".
"Those who enjoy the benefits of our products should be able to do so with less and less impact."