Australia’s mining lobby takes a baby step on climate change

Mining giant: A bucket wheel reclaimer collects iron ore from a stockpile at Fortescue Metals Group Ltd’s Herb Elliott port facility in Port Hedland, Australia. While Australia’s current mineral expertise is concentrated on being the world’s top exporter of iron ore and coking coal, the country also has significant other advantages. — Bloomberg

AUSTRALIA’S mining lobby group, the Minerals Council of Australia, long derided by environmentalists as coal-loving dinosaurs, has launched a climate action plan that is probably significant for what it doesn’t say than what it does.

On the surface the council’s report looks reasonable, committing to an ambition of net zero emissions and outlining a series of actions aimed at achieving the goal.