Since then,Australia’s second-richest person hasbrought that deadline forward to 2030 and added a new arm to the company – Fortescue Future Industries – to make green hydrogen and develop clean energy technology for mining operations.
Forrest seemed to realise he has to temper his moonshot-like green ambition with reassurance for the many shareholders who signed up for a mining investment,although his words may not have been as soothing as he wished.
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He thanked Fortescue employees for “pursuing almost a hopelessly brave plan A,but always with a bulletproof plan B because plan As – if they’re any good – often fail”.
Forrest is perhaps unique in corporate Australia in that his language about climate change matches the scope and urgency of the problem that is now well-established by science.
“Atmospheric year 2022 was a disaster,” he said about numerous extreme heat events around the globe this year. “The heating climate is coming to you.”
He had a dim view of the motivation of company leaders with less ambitious climate plans.