Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Vale score?

Vale reports 2024 Scope 1 and 2 (market-based) emissions totalling 7.7 MtCO₂e, calculated per GHG Protocol and independently audited by a third party. Multi-year tracking is available from a 2017 baseline of 10.5 MtCO₂e. Granular breakdown by source type (mining, pelletizing, railways) is provided in the ESG Databook and CDP responses.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Vale score?

Vale reports total Scope 3 emissions of 458.5 MtCO₂e for 2024, identifying maritime transportation and downstream steelmaking as the dominant categories. The company has mapped its value chain and established a 15% net Scope 3 reduction target by 2035. Supplier engagement exists through the Ecoshipping program and iron ore briquette development with key steel customers.

Emissions Trajectory: How does Vale score?

Scope 1 and 2 emissions have fallen 27% from the 2017 baseline of 10.5 MtCO₂e to 7.7 MtCO₂e in 2024 — a meaningful absolute reduction. Scope 3 emissions have also declined 13% from the 2018 baseline of ~527 MtCO₂e to 458.5 MtCO₂e. However, total emissions remain enormous at ~466 MtCO₂e, and the Scope 1+2 target is aligned only with WB2D (below 2°C), not 1.5°C. Cannot score higher without 1.5°C alignment across all scopes.

Energy Source: How does Vale score?

Vale achieved 100% renewable electricity in Brazil in 2023, two years ahead of schedule, and reached 84% renewable electricity globally in 2024. The company owns 3.3 GW of installed renewable capacity (hydro, wind, solar) including the Sol do Cerrado solar complex (766 MWp). It targets 100% renewable electricity globally by 2030. However, substantial Scope 1 fossil fuel use (diesel in mining trucks, coal in pelletizing) remains, limiting the score.

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Vale score?

Vale has published a TNFD assessment, has a 500,000 ha recovery/protection target by 2030, and claims an 11:1 protected-to-impacted hectare ratio. However, this must be weighed against catastrophic real-world nature impacts: the 2019 Brumadinho dam collapse killed 270 people and devastated the Paraopeba River; the 2015 Mariana disaster destroyed the Rio Doce, the largest environmental disaster in Brazil's history. Multiple NGOs including Forests & Finance have accused Vale of using TNFD reportin

Resource Use & Waste: How does Vale score?

Vale reports waste management initiatives including the dam de-characterization programme (eliminating upstream-raised tailings dams by 2035), dry processing technology for iron ore reducing tailings, and some circularity projects (e.g., PT Vale Indonesia's organic waste programs, track shoe reuse). However, the core mining business remains fundamentally extractive and linear, and the legacy of massive tailings dam failures demonstrates systemic resource management failures.

Water Impact: How does Vale score?

In 2024, Vale withdrew 410.6 million m³ of water with 74% returned to the environment, and reused 510.7 million m³. The company has a target to reduce specific freshwater use by 27% by 2030 and is developing dry magnetic concentration technology for water-free ore processing at Carajás. Water quality is monitored by independent laboratories. However, the Brumadinho dam collapse caused severe water pollution in the Paraopeba River, and mining operations inherently carry significant water pollutio

Targets & Commitments: How does Vale score?

Vale has set a 33% absolute Scope 1+2 reduction target by 2030 (from 2017 baseline), aligned with WB2D scenario, and a 15% net Scope 3 reduction by 2035. It has a net-zero Scope 1+2 target by 2050. These are specific, measurable, and reduction-first. However, targets are NOT validated by SBTi — Vale does not appear on the SBTi dashboard as committed or validated. The Scope 1+2 target aligns only with WB2D, not 1.5°C. The Scope 3 target of 15% is modest given the magnitude (458 Mt). No SBTi valid

Transparency & Accountability: How does Vale score?

Vale publishes an annual Integrated Report and ESG Databook, responds to CDP since 2003, has TCFD-aligned disclosure, and in June 2025 became one of the first companies globally to publish an IFRS S1/S2 sustainability disclosure. A Board-level Sustainability Committee was established in 2017 with updated internal regulations in 2024. GHG inventory is third-party verified. However, the SEC lawsuit (settled for $55.9M in 2023) found Vale had 'fraudulently misrepresented' dam safety in public filin

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Vale score?

Starting from 8 and deducting: Brumadinho dam collapse (2019) killed 270 people and caused catastrophic environmental damage (-5). Mariana/Fundão dam collapse (2015) killed 19 and is considered Brazil's worst environmental disaster (-3 additional from base). SEC fraud charges settled for $55.9M in 2023 for misleading disclosures (-2). Brazilian STJ upheld R$86M fine for withholding dam safety information. R$37.7B Brumadinho reparation agreement and $31.7B Mariana settlement with ongoing UK litig

Vale Sustainability Score: 22/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Vale·Mining & Extraction·Rio de Janeiro, Brazil·Founded 1942·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Significant gapsPending Review

Vale operates at catastrophic environmental and governance risk. Two major dam collapses (Mariana 2015, Brumadinho 2019) killed 289 people and devastated rivers; the SEC found fraudulent safety misrepresentation settled for $55.9M. Renewable electricity targets mask enormous Scope 1+2 and Scope 3 emissions (466 MtCO₂e total) and unaligned climate commitments.

No challenges currently filed

The calculation

Every score shows its working.

Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.

SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale

Industry base impact

Mining & Extraction sector ceiling.

15 / 100

Performance score

Sum of the 10 rubric questions, scored 0–10 each.

47 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 15) + (0.7 × 47) = 37.4

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.6

Final score

Rounded. Significant gaps.

22 / 100

The ten questions

Where Vale is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Controversies & Red Flags and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (0/10, 2/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

15 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.

[1]Self-reported

Vale ESG: Decarbonization Strategy and Management

2024

Q1Q2Q3Q4Q6Q8

Every score shows its working.

Where Vale is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where Vale sits among mining & extraction peers.

Vale's score over time.

This score is not currently being contested.

Related companies worth a look.

We'll let you know when the score moves.

Which companies moved this week, and why.