BHP scores 3 points higher than Rio Tinto on SINK's sustainability index.
BHP is more sustainable according to SINK's open sustainability index, scoring 23/100 vs Rio Tinto's 20/100 — a difference of 3 points.
Rio Tinto scores 20/100 on the SINK sustainability index (Significant gaps). Rio Tinto is a major diversified miner with high absolute emissions (31.5 Mt CO₂e Scope 1&2, 575.7 Mt Scope 3), stalled progress on climate targets, and no Scope 3 reduction plan. The company faces documented water pollution fines, the Juukan Gorge sacred site destruction, and active anti-climate lobbying—contradicting public sustainability claims.
BHP scores 23/100 on the SINK sustainability index (Significant gaps). BHP reports comprehensive climate and environmental data with third-party assurance, but Scope 3 emissions—97% of its total footprint—lack absolute reduction targets and are growing with production. The 2015 Samarco disaster killed 19 people and contaminated 600km of river; November 2025 UK court found BHP strictly liable. Mining-scale environmental damage and unvalidated climate targets define its weak position.
Both companies are rated on the same 10-question SINK rubric: Scope 1/2/3 carbon footprint, energy source, nature and biodiversity, resource use, water, emissions trajectory, science-based targets, transparency, and controversies. Scores are 0–100, based on public data, and fully reproducible.
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