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Climate strategy
The global climate crisis constitutes a widely recognized reality, supported by scientific evidence, and represents an urgent challenge with significant impacts not only on the Company’s value chain but also on society. In this context, Vale’s climate transition strategy considers the inherent complexities of decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors in which it operates. This strategy is grounded in key premises such as collaboration across the value chain through strategic partnerships, progress in the availability and feasibility of low-carbon technologies, and the evolution of regulatory environments in alignment with global climate objectives.
The Company recognizes the strategic role of the mining and metals sector in achieving this ambition by providing essential inputs for economic development and social well-being, as well as enabling the transition to a low-carbon economy through the production of critical minerals. Therefore, the Company has made consistent progress in implementing its strategy, with initiatives focused on the decarbonization of its operations, engagement across the value chain, and strengthening resilience to climate-related risks.
Supported by technological initiatives aimed at developing less carbon-intensive products, strategic partnerships with customers and suppliers, and improved energy efficiency in logistics, Vale assumes the responsibility of continuously investing in technology and innovation with the objective of reducing direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and effectively contributing to the transition toward a low-carbon economy.
The Company will advance toward a low-carbon economy through an integrated approach that considers risks and impacts on people and the environment. The approach adopted to promote a just energy transition across its operations, value chain, and the territories in which the Company operates is aligned with the guidelines established in its Sustainability, Climate Change, and Human Rights policies. Please refer to Vale’s Just Transition Statement .
For further information on our climate transition strategy, please refer to the 2024 Sustainability-Related Financial Information Report .
Explanatory Note
These are gases present in the atmosphere that absorb part of the infrared radiation reflected by the Earth's surface, preventing it from being released into space and thereby contributing to global warming through the intensification of the greenhouse effect. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) classifies an organization’s emission sources into three categories:
- Scope 1: Direct emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the organization (occurring within organizational boundaries).
- Scope 2: Indirect emissions associated with the purchase and consumption of electricity, steam, heat, or cooling; however, the organization neither owns nor controls the generating source (occurring outside organizational boundaries).
- Scope 3: Other indirect emissions that occur throughout the value chain (outside organizational boundaries), which are also neither owned nor controlled by the organization.
Entenda
- Escopo 1: são as emissões diretas de fontes próprias ou controladas pela organização, decorrentes do transporte e dos processos industriais nas minas, da pelotização e das atividades das ferrovias. Soluções desenvolvidas: substituição de combustíveis e eficiência energética.
- Escopo 2: são as emissões indiretas oriundas do consumo de energia elétrica e/ou térmica, adquiridas pela Vale. Soluções desenvolvidas: aquisição de fontes renováveis, ativos de geração renovável e certificados de energia.
- Escopo 3: são emissões indiretas de gases de efeito estufa (GEE) que ocorrem ao longo da cadeia de valor da Vale, mas não estão diretamente relacionadas às suas operações. As principais fontes dessas emissões estão associadas principalmente ao transporte de minério de ferro e outros produtos, bem como ao uso de aço e outros produtos da mineração. Soluções desenvolvidas: Briquete Vale e parcerias com nossos clientes mais representativos em busca de oportunidades para desenvolver soluções focadas na redução das emissões de CO2.
Climate governance
Vale maintains a corporate governance structure aligned with global best practices, aimed at ensuring the quality and consistency of the decision-making process. The Company adopts a governance framework for overseeing sustainability-related risks and opportunities, supported by specific controls and procedures that monitor both target-setting and performance against these objectives. In this manner, it employs mechanisms that encompass the identification of risks and opportunities, materiality assessment, the development of strategies, metrics, and targets, as well as the continuous monitoring of progress and the integrated development of sustainability policies. These controls and procedures form part of Vale’s risk management system and are integrated into the functions of its Governance Bodies and other internal functions within the Company.
The Board of Directors and the Sustainability Committee are actively engaged to foster the appropriate skills and competencies required to oversee sustainability-related risks and opportunities. The Company may also engage external specialists to support the Committee in addressing specific matters in greater depth, as well as to ensure that identified risks and opportunities, together with their trade-offs, are duly considered in the Company’s strategic decision-making, particularly in relation to significant transactions.
Canaã dos Carajás S11D. Photo: Jeferson Capela
For further information on our climate transition strategy, please refer to the 2025 Annual Report.
Climate targets
Targets
Explanatory note
An international treaty adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), aimed at limiting the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C (WB2D scenario), while pursuing efforts to restrict it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The agreement establishes a global framework for climate cooperation based on common but differentiated responsibilities, applicable to all signatory countries.
By 2050, the Company is committed to reducing emissions from its operations and projects (Scope 1 and Scope 2) and neutralizing residual emissions through the use of removals, in line with a fair transition pathway consistent with achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
- 2030 target: Reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 (market-based) emissions by 33% compared to the 2017 baseline.
- 2035 target: Reduce net Scope 3 emissions by 15% compared to the 2018 baseline.
- 2050 target: Achieve net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 (market-based) emissions.
Performance
In 2025, Vale’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 (market-based) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions totaled 7.8 MtCO₂e. This result represents an absolute reduction of 25.3% compared to the 2017 baseline, corresponding to cumulative progress of 76.6 percentage points toward the 33% reduction target.
Regarding Scope 3 emissions, the total recorded in 2025 was 487.1 MtCO₂e, reflecting a net reduction of 8.2% compared to the 2018 baseline. This result represents progress of 54.5 percentage points toward the 15% reduction target.
Considering the combined total of all three scopes, Vale’s GHG emissions amounted to 494.9 MtCO₂e in 2025, representing an increase of 3.4% compared to 2024. This growth is primarily attributable to an increase in the Company’s production and sales volumes, as well as higher output and net revenue from equity-accounted investees.
Annual history of GHG emissions
Decarbonization initiatives
As one of the world’s leading producers of iron ore, nickel, and other critical minerals, Vale contributes to the expansion of transport electrification, the development of energy infrastructure, and the enablement of technologies that are fundamental to the climate transition, including batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, and power distribution systems, among others.
Vale continues to advance the implementation of its decarbonization roadmap. Since 2020, the Company’s expenditure on mitigation and adaptation has totaled approximately USD 1.7 billion. These investments are structured within a portfolio of initiatives subject to strategic economic feasibility assessments, considering their costs, benefits, and projected impacts on emissions reduction. In this way, the Company seeks to ensure that each action contributes to the achievement of its climate targets by prioritizing the most efficient alternatives.
Scope 1
In this context, the Company is developing partnerships focused on the implementation of dual-fuel locomotive and truck technologies, with the potential to reduce emissions through the combination of ethanol and diesel. In 2025, field tests were initiated using biodiesel blends B30 and B50 in off-road trucks, with the potential to reduce emissions by up to 35% compared to the diesel currently used in operations in Brazil.
Canaã dos Carajás S11D. Photo: Breno Pompeu.
Complementing these advances, the railways operated under Vale’s concessions in Brazil — Estrada de Ferro Carajás (EFC) and Estrada de Ferro Vitória a Minas (EFVM) — recorded an estimated reduction of 11 million liters in projected diesel consumption for 2025, equivalent to approximately 28 thousand tonnes of CO₂e avoided. This result stems from a set of initiatives focused on continuous operational improvement, with an emphasis on increasing energy efficiency and optimizing fuel consumption.
Sol do Cerrado project. Photo: Zé Palma.
Scope 2
Vale maintains a diversified portfolio of electricity generation from renewable sources, with stakes in hydroelectric, wind, and solar assets. In addition, the Company continuously invests in energy efficiency, process electrification, and the incorporation of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, with the objective of optimizing electricity consumption. This global generation portfolio represents a significant competitive advantage in its emissions reduction strategy and currently consists of 87.2% renewable sources.
Since 2023, Vale has ensured that 100% of the electricity consumed in its operations in Brazil is sourced from renewable energy. In 2025, installed capacity in the country reached 1.6 GW, predominantly supported by renewable generation assets, both directly and indirectly owned. Throughout this period, the Company has continued to advance these initiatives despite significant challenges, such as regulatory diversity, limited availability of renewable sources, logistical complexity associated with long-term contracting, and the need to maintain competitiveness in markets characterized by high energy costs. In this context, these factors underscore the importance of structured planning, the adoption of innovative solutions, and the establishment of strategic partnerships to ensure consistent progress toward climate targets.
Scope 3
Sea Zhoushan ship. Photo: Vitor Nogueira.
In the field of maritime logistics, Vale seeks to reduce its emissions through the adoption of energy-efficiency technologies, such as the use of rotor sails, leveraging economies of scale provided by the world’s largest ore carriers, and the use of lower-carbon fuels. In this context, the development of a vessel with triple-fuel technology stands out, capable of operating on three types of fuel and with the potential for future retrofit to liquefied natural gas (LNG) and ammonia. In 2025, the Company reaffirmed its target to reduce net Scope 3 emissions by 15% by 2035, using 2018 as the baseline year, with a focus on decarbonizing the steel value chain and global logistics. In January 2025, the development of a briquette plant in the state of Louisiana (USA) was initiated, with an estimated capacity of up to 1.5 million tonnes per year, supported by funding from the United States Department of Energy (DOE), and with the potential to replace carbon-intensive stages in the steel sector.
In Brazil, the briquette plant in Vitória (ES), in operation since the end of 2023, is intended to supply product for long-term industrial testing with customers across different markets. This initiative enables the continuous supply of input capable of reducing emissions in conventional steel production, reinforcing Vale’s position as a supplier of solutions for low-carbon steelmaking.
Transparency
Reports
Since 2024, Vale has also published annually its Sustainability-Related Financial Information Report . This document is prepared in accordance with Technical Pronouncement CBPS No. 02, approved by the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM), and aligned with the international IFRS S2 standard issued by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). This initiative anticipates Brazilian regulatory requirements, which will mandate such disclosures for companies listed on the Brazilian stock exchange (B3) starting in 2027, based on fiscal year 2026 data. In doing so, Vale seeks to contribute to the advancement of market practices while strengthening its internal capabilities in managing and disclosing sustainability-related financial information.
As one of the most relevant topics for the Company, Vale seeks to enhance transparency regarding the accounting of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory. To this end, it makes available the GHG Emissions Report , which provides detailed information on the methodologies, processes, and the level of maturity of emissions accounting associated with its operations and value chain.
Additionally, Vale publishes the ESG Databook , an informational document that provides stakeholders with a comprehensive overview of its sustainable development performance through qualitative and quantitative indicators.
For additional reports, please refer to the official pages: Announcements, Results, Presentations and Reports and Document Library .
CDP
Please refer to the unified CDP questionnaire
Official press releases
Key highlights of Scope 1:
Biofuels initiatives:
- Vale and Caterpillar strengthen collaboration to focus on productivity, innovation and decarbonization
- Vale advances in testing alternatives to fossil fuels for haul trucks
- Vale, Cummins and Komatsu advance joint Dual Fuel Program to develop large truck engine powered by both ethanol and diesel
- Vale, Komatsu and Cummins announce collaboration to develop Dual Fuel large trucks, powered by ethanol and diesel
- Vale makes pellets using renewable energy sources for the first time
- Vale and Wabtec sign agreement to test the use of ethanol in locomotives on the Vitória-Minas Railway, in Brazil
- Vale partners with Wabtec on alternative fuels study and orders three FLXdrive battery electric locomotives
Electrification initiatives:
Energy efficiency initiative:
- Vale completes 100 million tons handled by autonomous trucks at the Brucutu mine with safety and environmental benefits
- Vale, Caterpillar & Sotreq sign agreement to expand fleet of autonomous trucks in the Northern System, in Pará
- Vale expands the use of autonomous equipment and has 72 pieces operating in Brazil, benefiting directly more than 300 employees
New technologies initiatives:
- Vale and Petrobras sign agreement to supply products focused on decarbonization
- Vale and Petrobras sign Protocol of Intent to accelerate the development of low-carbon solutions
- Vale Ventures announces investment in startup developing disruptive solutions to decarbonize heat generation
- Vale Ventures announces investment in startup Mantel, which is developing a low-cost solution for capturing carbon directly from industrial sources
Key highlights of Scope 2:
Key highlights of Scope 3:
Biofuels initiatives:
- Vale announces the world's 1st ethanol-powered ocean-going vessel; carbon emission reduction can reach 90%
- Vale and Petrobras announce a partnership to test fuel with renewable content
- Vale performs first biofuel voyage for its iron ore shipping
- Vale advances a pioneering project to adopt low-carbon fuels in shipping
Energy efficiency initiatives:
- Vale signs long-term agreements for the new generation of Guaibamax vessels
- Vale adopts wind power on world’s largest ore carrier
- Vale carries out its 1st test with wind energy on the largest ore carrier in the world
- Fleet of ships serving Vale receives first ore carrier in the world equipped with rotor sails
Value chain initiatives:
- Vale and Green Energy Park partner to develop green hydrogen supply chain in Brazil for future Mega Hub
- Partnership between Vale and Green Energy Park in Brazil receives Global Gateway flagship status by the European Union
- Vale and H2 Green Steel sign agreement to study the development of green industrial hubs in Brazil and North America
- Vale concludes negotiations with the US Government to develop briquette plant
- Vale successfully tests new briquette for direct reduction that makes steel production 'cleaner’
- Vale begins load tests in the first iron ore briquette plant in Brazil
- Revolution in the global steel industry: Vale inaugurates the world's first briquette plant in Vitória, Brazil
- Vale and SHS sign MoU to develop decarbonization solutions in steelmaking
- Vale and Nippon Steel sign MoU to develop steelmaking decarbonization solutions
- Vale and Valin Group sign MoU to develop steelmaking decarbonization solutions
Other key releases:
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