The BHP Files and Corporate Decarbonisation

Vocabulary terms and key concepts covering the leaked BHP internal documents, emissions goals, financial expenditures, and expert commentary.

The BHP Files

An investigation by ABC's Four Corners and Guardian Australia that revealed hundreds of pages of leaked BHP documents showing the company delayed major decarbonisation plans while publicly presenting itself as a climate leader.

Cash prioritisation

The reason cited by BHP management to halt an approved four-hundred-million-dollar solar farm and battery project in Western Australia's Pilbara shortly after board approval in June of 2023.

Licence to operate

A corporate standing described in a 2023 BHP board document signed by the top Australian executive as having 'urgent decarbonisation' central to its maintenance.

BHP 2024 Climate Plan Vote

A vote in which ninety-two percent of shareholders approved BHP's climate plan, which stated that electric haul trucks would likely roll out in Western Australia by 2030 before the fleet was indefinitely delayed.

Pilbara iron ore pre-tax profit

About twenty-two billion dollars earned by BHP's Pilbara iron ore operations in the last financial year.

Diesel tax credits (BHP)

An estimated six hundred and twenty-two million dollars received by BHP in the last financial year, with more than half designated for Pilbara diesel.

Western Australia carbon offsets expenditure

Eight million dollars spent by BHP on carbon offsets for its Western Australia operations, compared to hundreds of millions received in diesel tax credits.

2040 decarbonisation delay assessment

A leaked internal BHP document finding suggesting the company could delay serious action until 2040 without incurring a material financial impact.

May 2024 haul truck collaboration

A partnership involving BHP, Rio Tinto, Caterpillar, and Komatsu to trial battery-electric haul trucks supporting the shared ambition of net zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Fortescue

A rival mining company noted for having its first electric truck scheduled to arrive on site in September.

Tim Buckley

A climate analyst who remarked that BHP's actions 'are not aligned with the science'.

Ross Garnaut

An economist who warned that voluntary corporate commitments are fragile and that strong government policy is necessary.