Sectoral Decarbonisation Approach

Copper is a key metal for the global energy transition, essential for renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles (EVs), and electricity transmission infrastructure. With demand expected to rise significantly, the copper sector faces the dual challenge of increasing production while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to align with the 1.5° C climate target. The copper sector currently contributes to 0.2% of global GHG emissions. This could exceed 2% by 2050 without targeted interventions.

To address this, RMI (founded as Rocky Mountain Institute) and the Copper Mark, in collaboration with industry and non-industry stakeholders, developed the Sectoral Decarbonisation Approach (SDA) to GHG target setting for copper companies: A 1.5° C-Aligned Trajectory and Target-Setting Methodology for the Copper Sector.

The SDA is built on the best available data, yet several important limitations and assumptions shape its form. It is important for users to be aware of these when considering its application. The SDA is an optional guidance to help companies across the copper value chain develop science-based, 1.5°C-aligned emissions reduction targets, providing a sector specific pathway where none previously existed. Copper Mark Participants may choose to use the SDA to demonstrate conformance with Risk Readiness Assessment (RRA) version 3.0, specifically Criterion 27 on greenhouse gas reduction, but are not required to do so.

Webinar: A Deep Dive into the Copper Mark's Sectoral Decarbonisation Approach

Join us on 28 April 2026 (10:00-11:00 EDT / 16:00-17:00 CEST) to hear from experts from RMI and the Copper Mark who will walk through the journey of the SDA project—from initial ideation to final deliverables. This session will explain the rationale for developing a sector-specific pathway for the copper industry and explore the data, assumptions, and application of the SDA. Click here for registration and additional information.

Understanding and Using the SDA

The SDA is built on the best available data, yet several important limitations and assumptions shape its form.

Limited data availability

The copper sector lacks comprehensive, consistent, and granular global data—particularly for areas such as process emissions from recycling, upstream emissions from purchased goods and fuels, and energy-use profiles across diverse operations. These data gaps constrain how precisely emissions intensity trajectories can be modelled.

Feasibility of science-based targets

It is acknowledged that science-based targets for 1.5° C-aligned emissions-intensity trajectories may be challenging to achieve. The ability of companies to achieve such targets is further influenced by the national, regional and local context of operations.

Transparency of assumptions

Because of these data limitations, the SDA relies on a series of explicit and transparent assumptions. These include modelling approaches for mining haulage, country-weighted electricity decarbonisation pathways, static assumptions for certain process emissions, and the use of proxy sectoral pathways where copper-specific ones do not exist. All such assumptions are clearly articulated in the report to ensure users understand their basis and boundaries.

Revision of the SDA

As new research, technology performance data, or improved emissions information becomes available, the SDA can be updated and refined. Its structure is intentionally flexible, enabling incorporation of improved modelling, revised baseline data, and more precise emissions factor information over time.

SDA as an optional guidance document

The SDA is not mandatory. It is offered as optional guidance to help companies across the copper value chain develop science-based, 1.5°C-aligned emissions reduction targets, providing a sector specific pathway where none previously existed.

Use of SDA by the Copper Mark Participants

Copper Mark Participants may choose to use the SDA to demonstrate conformance with Risk Readiness Assessment (RRA) version 3.0, specifically Criterion 27 on greenhouse gas reduction. However, this is entirely optional, and companies may instead use other accepted science-based target-setting frameworks.

Deliverables

Below you will find the SDA: A 1.5° C-Aligned Trajectory and Target-Setting Methodology for the Copper Sector, along with a Copper GHG Target-Setting Tool for companies using the SDA, and three archetype versions of the tool.

A 1.5° C-Aligned Trajectory and Target-Setting Methodology for the Copper Sector

Copper GHG Target Setting Tool

Archetype 1: A mining company that produces copper concentrate
Archetype 2: An integrated company that produces copper cathodes using both concentrates it produces and purchases from the market
Archetype 3: A standalone semi-fabrication company that purchase its copper cathodes from the market and produces copper wire rod

SDA Development Process

The SDA was developed using the Copper Mark Standard Setting Procedure. The development process ran from 2024 - 2026, over three main phases.

Phase 1: Stakeholder Engagement and Scoping

RMI conducted initial research and scoping of the key issues to be addressed in SDA, considering those that were recently developed in other sectors such as steel and aluminium. The research included stakeholder interviews and a review of publications on copper trajectories, which identified several issues to be addressed.

Deliverables

Report: Decarbonizing the Copper Sector: Discussion Topics and Considerations for a 1.5°C-aligned Trajectory and Target-setting Methodology, April 2024
Presentation of the results, 6 May, 2024 (slides)

Phase 2: Development of the SDA

This phase focused on ensuring the SDA addressed issues identified in the preceding phase. We published the Terms of Reference and assembled an expert Technical Working Group to support this phase. The Copper Mark, RMI, and Technical Working Group built upon existing roadmaps and incorporated additional analyses to address sector-specific challenges and support effective target-setting. Stakeholder engagement was a critical component, including convening industry and non-industry experts to assess different proposals for emissions intensity trajectory development, provide essential feedback, and contribute to the design of a robust target setting methodology which was published in a report along with supporting target-setting tools.

Deliverables

We held a public consultation on the report and tools from 17 June 2025 to 17 August 2025. We published a summary of the results and used the feedback received to help inform the development of the SDA.

Phase 3: Publication of final deliverables

See top of this page.

Acknowledgements

The development of the SDA was funded by a grant from the ISEAL Innovations Fund, which is supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO. Funding was also contributed by companies who participated in the Technical Working Group. The research was led by RMI, with support from the Copper Mark.