KEY POINTS
- Andrew Forrest calls for “real zero” emissions by 2040, dismissing net zero 2050 as a “proven fantasy.”
- Fortescue is eliminating fossil fuels from Australian iron ore operations by 2030.
- The company recently partnered with Liebherr to acquire 100 battery-powered autonomous mining trucks.
Fortescue Metals Group executive chairman Andrew Forrest has challenged the global community to adopt a more ambitious climate goal of “real zero” emissions by 2040.
Speaking in an interview, Forrest criticized the common target of achieving net zero by 2050, labeling it a “proven fantasy” and urging business leaders and politicians to push for stronger climate action.
Urging a shift in climate strategy
Forrest stated that the world has the tools and technology necessary to reach “real zero” emissions by 2040. He emphasized that current efforts targeting net zero by 2050 lack urgency and ambition, and he called on the global community to recognize the critical need to move faster.
“We know the world can reach real zero by 2040. I’m reaching out to business people and politicians to make that commitment now,” Forrest said.
Fortescue has already laid out plans to eliminate fossil fuels from its Australian iron ore operations by 2030. According to Mining.com, the company recently partnered with German-Swiss manufacturer Liebherr to secure 100 battery-powered autonomous mining trucks, a part of Forrest’s broader strategy to minimize both direct and indirect emissions.
Real zero by 2040: A path to survival
Forrest stressed that achieving “real zero” by 2040 is essential to mitigating the worst impacts of global warming. “Real zero means using the technology we have now technology that’s rapidly improving to stop burning fossil fuels by 2040,” he said. Forrest added that acting by 2030 provides a 50% chance of avoiding catastrophic climate impacts.
Fortescue’s efforts are also geared towards exploring sustainable ways to produce green iron metal, which Forrest believes will see strong demand from steel plants in China, Japan, and South Korea. The company’s approach to innovation and emission reductions aligns with its broader mission to lead the mining sector into a low-carbon future.
Leveraging partnerships for a greener future
Fortescue’s collaboration with Liebherr exemplifies its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its operations. The 100 autonomous trucks, powered by batteries, aim to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in mining and transport.
This initiative is expected to set a new standard for sustainability within the mining industry and inspire other companies to adopt greener practices.
The company is also pushing the boundaries of green technology to make substantial contributions to climate solutions. Fortescue’s goal to produce green iron metal could transform steel manufacturing by offering a sustainable alternative to conventional production, reducing the industry’s heavy carbon footprint.
