Leaked Documents Reveal BHP Backtracking on Climate Action

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The world’s largest mining company, BHP, has quietly shelved billions of dollars in green projects despite publicly committing to urgent climate action, according to an exclusive investigation by The Guardian and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Four Corners. Leaked internal documents reveal how the company has delayed or abandoned renewable energy investments in its Western Australian iron ore operations—its most profitable and emissions-heavy business—while locking in diesel-powered equipment for decades.

The revelations, dubbed the BHP files, show the company’s Pilbara iron ore operations—responsible for over a third of its Australian emissions—have no allocated funding for major renewable projects until at least 2031. Instead, BHP has extended the use of diesel trucks at two of its WA mines until the late 2030s, with one facility potentially relying on them until 2041. At the same time, the company is expanding its gas-fired power plant, contradicting its public stance on decarbonization.

Public Commitments vs. Internal Delays

As recently as mid-2023, BHP had ambitious plans to transition its Pilbara operations to electric trucks and trains powered by solar and wind farms. The leaked documents, however, show the company has since abandoned those timelines. Internal memos acknowledge that delayed climate action poses a “reputational risk” and that “urgent decarbonisation in line with BHP’s public commitments effectively underpins [its] licence to operate.” Despite this, the company has allocated no capital to renewable projects in the region until after 2030.

A 2023 internal document, signed by BHP’s then-top Australian executive Geraldine Slattery, warned that slow emissions reductions in the Pilbara would have “reputational impacts.” Yet the company’s actions suggest a stark disconnect between its public promises and internal strategy. The Pilbara operations alone generated $US14.4 billion in pre-tax profits last financial year, making them the backbone of BHP’s global business.

Key Projects on Ice

Among the abandoned initiatives was a 50-megawatt solar farm paired with a 20-megawatt battery storage system, part of BHP’s first planned investment in its inland Pilbara decarbonisation strategy. The documents also reveal the company has “war-gamed” ways to push major climate investments into the next two decades, effectively stalling progress while maintaining the appearance of compliance.

BHP’s iron ore operations in Western Australia account for more than a third of its total Australian emissions. The company’s 2025 financial reports show revenue of $51.26 billion, operating income of $19.46 billion and net income of $11.14 billion—yet its climate strategy appears to prioritize short-term financial flexibility over long-term sustainability commitments.

Broader Industry and Market Implications

BHP’s backtracking on climate action comes at a time when global pressure on mining companies to reduce emissions is intensifying. Investors, shareholders, and regulators increasingly demand transparency and accountability from resource giants, particularly as governments and financial institutions tighten sustainability criteria for project approvals.

The leaked documents are the largest ever public disclosure from BHP’s internal operations, offering an unprecedented look at the gap between corporate rhetoric, and execution. While the company has not yet responded publicly to the revelations, the findings raise questions about whether BHP can reconcile its financial priorities with its stated climate goals—especially as competitors like Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group accelerate their renewable energy investments.

For now, BHP’s Pilbara operations remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with no major renewable projects scheduled before 2031. The company’s stock (ASX: BHP) closed at [verified price if available] on May 25, 2026, with no immediate market reaction to the leaked documents.

This story is based on reporting from The Guardian and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Four Corners, which obtained hundreds of pages of internal BHP documents.