Four Corners turns spotlight on BHP amid questions over green promises
Tonight’s episode of ABC current affairs program Four Corners is expected to examine mining giant BHP and growing scrutiny over the company’s environmental commitments and strategic direction.
While the broadcaster has released very little information ahead of transmission, promotional material for the program points to an investigation focused on “The promise to go green. The walk back. The investigation.”
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The episode appears set to explore whether BHP’s public push toward so-called “green commodities” aligns with its broader mining operations and corporate strategy.
Over recent years, BHP has increasingly promoted investments tied to the global energy transition, particularly in commodities including copper, nickel and potash, which are used in electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure.
However, the company has also faced questions over several major developments linked to that strategy.
Among the likely areas of focus is the suspension of BHP’s Nickel West operations earlier this year after falling global nickel prices impacted profitability.
The Western Australian operation had been positioned as a significant part of the EV battery supply chain and previously secured supply agreements linked to electric vehicle manufacturing.
The program is also expected to examine criticism surrounding Scope 3 emissions — the emissions produced by customers using BHP’s products, particularly within the global steel industry.
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Climate groups and some analysts have argued mining companies should take greater responsibility for downstream emissions, while major resource companies have maintained the issue requires broader industry-wide solutions.
Industry observers have suggested the episode could further explore allegations of greenwashing, the continued role of metallurgical coal within BHP’s portfolio, and questions around corporate lobbying and climate policy.
The investigation arrives as major investors, governments and regulators increasingly demand measurable climate outcomes from global resource companies rather than broad environmental commitments.
Four Corners airs Monday, May 25 at 8:30pm AEST on ABC TV and ABC iview.
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