Nickel Asia becomes first PH miner with SBTi-validated targets

Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC) has become the first Philippine mining company to receive validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.

The validation confirms that NAC’s targets are aligned with climate science, with the company aiming to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 and Scope 3 emissions by 37.5% by 2035, using 2024 as the base year.

The Science Based Targets initiative validates whether corporate emissions reduction goals are aligned with the latest climate science and the goals of the Paris Agreement. Scope 1 covers direct emissions from company operations, Scope 2 covers emissions from purchased electricity, while Scope 3 covers emissions across the wider value chain, including suppliers and markets.

“This is a significant achievement for all of us at NAC, as we join thousands of global companies that received SBTi validation for climate commitments aligned with the United Nations’ Paris Agreement in combatting Climate Change,” NAC Senior Vice President for Sustainability, Risk, External Affairs, and Communications and Chief Sustainability Officer Jose Bayani Baylon said.

NAC said it aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with interim targets for 2030 defined in its Sustainability Roadmap. The company is also developing its second-cycle Sustainability Roadmap, which outlines actions to reduce emissions across its operations using data from all business units.

The targets were developed through collaboration across NAC’s Mine Operations, Mining Center of Excellence and Technical Operations, Mining Compliance, Procurement Center, Corporate Finance, and Sustainability Center.

NAC said its commitments include engaging value chain partners in climate action and supporting the transition to a low-carbon future.

“Each one of us at NAC plays an important role in this collective effort—embedding sustainability in our operations, engaging our communities, collaborating with suppliers and markets, and creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” NAC Assistant Vice President for Sustainability Edwin P. Nerva said.

“And this is just the beginning,” he added.

NAC is the Philippines’ largest producer of lateritic nickel ore, with a portfolio that includes six operating nickel mines, a 10% stake in the Taganito HPAL project, and a growing renewable energy subsidiary.

The SBTi validation marks a mining-sector ESG milestone by moving NAC’s climate commitment from a broad net-zero pledge to externally validated and measurable emissions reduction targets.

How can science-based climate targets shape the future of responsible mining in the Philippines?

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