BHP and Amazon pilot copper emissions credits in Chile

BHP and Amazon have launched a pilot program to test Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs) aimed at recognizing lower greenhouse gas emissions within the copper supply chain. The initiative focuses on production from the Escondida mine in Chile, which is the world’s largest copper mine.

Through this pilot, Amazon will be able to purchase and retire certificates to offset emissions associated with the copper used in its power, cooling, and computing infrastructure, including components for artificial intelligence data centers. The program utilizes a ‘book-and-claim’ approach, which separates environmental attributes from the physical metal to allow for easier support of low-emission production even when physical traceability is difficult during smelting and refining.

The companies intend to use the pilot to establish eligibility criteria, governance, and safeguards against double counting. This work aims to inform the development of a future market for lower-emissions copper EACs, addressing complexities in Scope 3 accounting, verification, and registry infrastructure.