reduction before our current targets expire in 2020. But, longer term, the challenge of climate change will only be addressed through active engagement and collective action by business, civil society, consumers and especially governments.”237 “Our response begins with understanding our carbon footprint and options for managing it. Our products have a role to play in the move to a low-carbon economy, and today, we are the only major mining company that does not produce coal. Our higher-quality iron ore is more carbon efficient, and has to travel a relatively short distance to market. Aluminum is increasingly in demand for its lightweight properties and recyclability, and our assets in Canada are powered by clean, renewable hydropower. And copper is a key part of electrification, including, for example, in electric vehicles.”238 “To be clear, protecting the environment is also critically important. Rio Tinto has long acknowledged the reality of climate change and its potential to have a negative impact on our business, our communities and the world around us. In 2015, we supported the outcomes of the Paris Agreement and the long-term goal to limit global average temperature rise to well below 2°C, recognising that doing so will require governments and companies alike to approach climate change with more ambition and action. We believe we are doing our part – from helping to develop technology that can make aluminum smelters entirely GHG-emissions-free to providing the world with the materials it needs to build the new, low-carbon economy, from electric vehicles to smart phones. This year, we also exited fossil fuel production, becoming the only major mining company to do so. As much as we have done, there is more to do.”239 “The global climate is changing, largely due to human activities. If left unchecked, climate change will create significant risks and hardship for both human life and natural ecosystems. We support the aim of the United Nations Paris Agreement to limit global warming to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Our operations are energy intensive, and we are working to reduce emissions, manage risk and build our own resilience to climate change. We are also putting the transition to a low-carbon future and future energy scenarios at the heart of our business strategy.”240 “Indeed, we have publicly acknowledged the reality of climate change, and its potential to affect our business, our communities and our world. Climate risks and opportunities have formed part of our strategic thinking for over two decades and with the sale of our coal assets last year, we now have a fossil fuel free portfolio – the only major company in the mining industry to do so.”241 Id. Id. 239 Id., p. 52. 240 Id., p. 61. 241 Rio Tinto (2018), Our Approach to Climate Change, p.1, available at https://www.riotinto.com/documents/RT_Our_approach_to_climate_change_2018.pdf (last accessed on 12 September 2019). 237 238 Annex D: Corporate Statements on Climate Change and Human Rights | 62