RUSAL's participation in COP26 global climate summit address the road to decarbonize aluminium industry

The Russian aluminium giant, RUSAL participates in the 26^th UN Climate Change Conference that is happening in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

The global leader in the production of low-carbon aluminium, RUSAL discusses the path to decarbonize the aluminium industry, within the framework of COP26. However, business representatives and expert organizations talked about the risks and opportunities confronted by the aluminium industry in the activity of zero greenhouse gas emissions (Net Zero), as well as the possibility of conquering technological barricade, which currently staves off further decarbonization of the preliminary phases of the primary aluminium production and supply chain. These comprise bauxite mining, alumina production and metal electrolysis. The experts will also discuss the role of aluminium in the decarbonization of the global economy.

These issues are raised at panel discussions organized by En+ Group, with the support of the Climate Partnership of Russia in the Pavilion of the Russian Federation (November 3) and the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) - “Aluminium Greenhouse Gas Pathways to 2050” (November 4).

Global aluminium demand could grow more than 50% by 2050, and the industry is scouting ways to diminish its environmental impact. RUSAL has been leading this transformational process. Since the company was founded, the principles of corporate social responsibility and the promotion of a green and low-carbon economy have been at the heart of RUSAL's strategy.

More than 98% of the electricity required for aluminium production at RUSAL comes from renewable sources, and the use of innovative, energy-saving technologies helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at all stages of production.

RUSAL was among the pioneers in the production of a more sustainable metal, demonstrated by the ALLOW brand. It is low-carbon-footprint aluminium produced using hydropower. The carbon footprint of ALLOW does not exceed 4 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per ton of production, which is 5 times lower than the global average (Scope 1 and 2).

Irina Bakhtina, Director for Sustainable Development at RUSAL, said: “Today, the carbon footprint of RUSAL's products is already one of the lowest in the global aluminium industry. Choosing aluminium from the ALLOW brand presents an opportunity for many producers to achieve their own decarbonization goals. However, we are not resting on our laurels and, as we are striving for climate neutrality by 2050, we have set ourselves new and ambitious targets. The targets are driven by sufficiently capital-intensive research, development and implementation of new, breakthrough technologies.”

In 2002 RUSAL, at the initiative of its founder Oleg Deripaska, was one of the first in Russia to join the United Nations Global Compact and committed to adhering to the principles in its work, including those aimed at environmental protection. In 2015, RUSAL committed itself to disclose information on greenhouse gas emissions by joining the international Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) initiative and also launched the Climate Partnership of Russia.

Furthermore, RUSAL joined the UN Global Compact Criteria for Business Leadership in Carbon Pricing in 2018. The company also regularly participates in the annual UN climate conferences, is an active member of the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC).