Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Industrial  -  June 7, 2023

De Beers Advances on 2030 Building Forever Goals

De Beers Group is accelerating its efforts to advance sustainability throughout the diamond value chain in the countries where it operates. The company announced the achievement of several milestones, including setting emission reduction targets across Scopes 1, 2, and 3, which have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Specifically, De Beers’ near-term SBTi-validated targets are to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 and to reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions by 25%. De Beers is expecting to exceed its Scope 1 and 2 targets, which will expand its climate ambition beyond its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality across those Scopes.

Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, said in a statement: “We work hand-in-hand with the communities in which we live and work to shape a better future. Our actions range from addressing the climate crisis to growing prosperity wherever we operate. And by using our proprietary technologies, we can now connect our customers to the origin, impact, and stories of their diamonds. Building Forever will continue to guide every decision De Beers makes and touch every diamond we discover.”

The company’s key highlights include achieving a 4% reduction in energy intensity; facilitating the development of more than 70 MW of renewable energy projects in southern Africa; investing $2 million in Kelp Blue, a start-up that grows underwater kelp forests, which can absorb carbon up to 50 times faster than land-based forests; and continuing Okavango Eternal, its partnership with National Geographic, that protects the Okavango Delta through the installation of water monitoring technology, research and understanding, and engagement with communities on soil-friendly farming methods.