RUSAL reveals its 2021 sustainability report, with special attention on 'Human Focus'

RUSAL, one of the leading global aluminium producers, has published its annual sustainability report for 2021. The subject title of the report is "Human focus.” RUSAL has been identifying goals for further ESG business transformation over the last year after the announcement of a strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 (Net Zero) in February 2021. 

The Company's strategy aim is to create a new asset class in the aluminium industry, assets that will satisfy the demands of the future low-carbon economy. RUSAL devotes special attention to safeguarding its human capital in the post-pandemic period, guaranteeing safe working conditions and professional growth, appropriate payment for employees, and their quality of life in the regions where the Company's companies operate.

For example, in 2021, RUSAL boosted the pay of Russian firm employees twice. First, at the start of the year, the increase ranged from 10 to 20 per cent depending on the occupational category, and in September, it was increased by another 10 per cent. Simultaneously, the Company resumed a preferred housing programme for production unit personnel.

In the Irkutsk region, RUSAL launched the first phase of the Taishet aluminium smelter (TaAZ), one of the world's most technologically sophisticated aluminium smelters, in 2021. The facility is powered by Siberian hydropower, which is environmentally friendly. The refinery has the lowest possible environmental effect thanks to cutting-edge gas cleaning technology and a smelter-wide closed water circulation system.

In addition, RUSAL announced in 2021, an ecological modernisation programme for the aluminium smelters in Krasnoyarsk, Bratsk, Irkutsk and Novokuznetsk. The initiative aims to reduce the environmental footprint of these facilities while also improving the quality of life in the cities where they are located. The Taishet smelter is an example of how RUSAL's important Siberian aluminium smelters will be refurbished.

RUSAL is always trying to decrease industrial water outflow as well as pollution and greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. In 2021, the company reduced industrial wastewater discharge into surface water bodies by nearly a quarter (24.5 percent) and total trash created (excluding overburden) by 6.5 per cent.

During its four years of involvement in the federal project "Clean Air," RUSAL was able to reduce priority pollutant emissions by 9.7 thousand tonnes compared to 2018, achieving 40% of the objective set for 2024. In the first voluntary report on this issue after the results of 2021, RUSAL disclosed the outcomes of its contribution to the execution of the government initiative "Clean Air."

As of the conclusion of the reporting year, greenhouse gas emissions in aluminium production (equivalent per tonne of metal) have fallen by 11.6 per cent compared to 2014. At the same time, sales of low-carbon aluminium under the ALLOW brand increased by 44% year on year, approaching 1 million tonnes. ALLOW products have an average carbon impact of 2.4 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per tonne of aluminium (including direct and indirect energy emissions) due to the usage of hydropower, compared to a global average of roughly 12 tonnes.

RUSAL continues to perform certification audits of its production assets in 2021, following the International Aluminium Stewardship Initiative's requirements (ASI). Four RUSAL assets – the Kandalaksha aluminium smelter, the Sayanal and Armenal aluminium foil mills (Armenia), and the biggest alumina refinery in Europe, Aughinish – underwent similar audits during the year (Ireland). As a result, there are now 13 RUSAL locations certified under the ASI requirements.

“Geopolitical turbulence, with its obvious impact on the global economy, is imposing its conditions. However, we never lose sight of how vulnerable our planet is, and how vital our responsibilities are towards present and future generations. These ideas underpin our sustainability strategy”, said Evgenii Nikitin, General Director of RUSAL.

RUSAL reaffirmed its leadership position in the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) Climate rating in 2021, achieving A-, the highest grade in the aluminium industry, after committing to voluntary disclosure of information on greenhouse gas emissions in 2015. RUSAL was also one of the first suppliers to provide sustainability information in LME passport, the London Metal Exchange's newly developed digital credentials record for LME-listed commodities.

RUSAL received a gold medal in the "Best Employers of Russia" rating and a silver medal in the prestigious EcoVadis sustainability rating in 2021. The Company significantly improved its performance compared to the previous audit's results and became one of the world's top 25% suppliers of raw materials, packaging materials, and finished products.

“Today, with the release of the new Sustainability Report, RUSAL continues, not in words, but in deeds, to confirm its commitment to the sustainable development agenda by implementing complex, large-scale internal transformation projects and taking an active part in shaping the national regulatory landscape in this area. RUSAL’s participation in the National ESG Alliance is very prestigious for the Alliance,” said Andrey Sharonov, General Director of the National ESG Alliance.

RUSAL was one of the founding members of the National ESG Alliance, which was formed by 28 of Russia's largest corporations in December 2021 to facilitate the transition to a sustainable economic development model, dialogue and participation of all stakeholders. The exchange of knowledge and experience, the development and promotion of new ESG norms and standards, as well as investment support for ground-breaking ESG transformation projects.

RUSAL has been creating and releasing sustainability reports in compliance with the Global Reporting Initiative's standards and the UN Global Compact's principles since 2007. TSATR – Audit Services LLC, an independent auditing firm, has independently approved RUSAL's 2021 Sustainability Report.

RUSAL devotes special attention to safeguarding its human capital in the post-pandemic period, guaranteeing safe working conditions and professional growth, appropriate payment for employees, and their quality of life in the regions where the Company's companies operate.

RUSAL, according to the programme, covers the initial mortgage payment (10 per cent of the total cost of the home) as well as half of the monthly payment. This programme enrolled 775 RUSAL team members after the reporting year. The launch of RUSAL online Corporate University (UNIVER) in 2021 also marked the beginning of a unified digital platform that provides not only educational modules and materials to improve the skills of the Company's workers but also grants access to projects designed to work with school pupils, students, and graduates (such as "RUSAL for Russian schools," "RUSAL Classes," and "RUSAL Laboratory"), as well as open vacancies.

In 2021, the programme "Sustainable Development of Areas of Responsibility" will be given around 1.9 billion rubles for the execution of projects and activities. According to the findings of an expert assessment of philanthropic initiatives and social contributions by Russian businesses, RUSAL was rated in the category A+ of the "Leaders in corporate philanthropy" ranking.