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Miner Rio Tinto Faces Criticism Over Emissions Targets

The Anglo-Australian miner recorded its best ever annual profit in 2021 and gave shareholders a record full-year dividend of $16.8 billion


Rio Tinto has warned that iron ore shipments will come in at the lower end of its guidance, after third-quarter ore deliveries fell amid weak demand in China and the rest of the world.
Iron ore prices are nearly their lowest in three or four years, while China and Europe cut steel output because of growing supply. Photo: Reuters.

 

Rio Tinto on Friday said climate change was at the heart of its new strategy, as shareholders at its first in-person annual general meeting (AGM) in two years in London demanded the miner set clear targets to cut indirect emissions.

The Anglo-Australian miner recorded its best ever annual profit in 2021 and gave shareholders a record full-year dividend of $16.8 billion, boosted by higher iron ore prices and strong demand from top consumer China.

Rio Tinto’s reputation has however suffered from a report it published in February laying bare bullying, racism and sexism in the company, and the shutdown by the Serbian government of its lithium project in the country in January.

“We have a lot of work to do – but I believe we are on the right path,” chief executive Jakob Stausholm told the AGM.

Rio in October announced a $7.5 billion plan to reduce emissions by 2030, seeking to halve its direct emissions by the company and certain types of indirect emissions by the end of the decade.

Rio has however not detailed how it intends to cut customers’ emissions, but said it is working with partners.

“The absence of concrete targets stands out as a concern,” said proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services, which provides voting recommendations for shareholders.

Investment manager Sarasin and Partners voted against Rio’s financial accounts and the reappointment of auditor KPMG, saying it is unclear how the costs of achieving carbon commitments have been incorporated in the company’s financial statements.

Rio is dual-listed in London and Sydney and the votes will be counted and made public at its AGM in Melbourne on May 5.

 

  • Reuters, with additional editing by George Russell

 


 

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George Russell

George Russell is a freelance writer and editor based in Hong Kong who has lived in Asia since 1996. His work has been published in the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, New York Post, Variety, Forbes and the South China Morning Post.