Global aluminium industry co-operating on climate change actions

The International Aluminium Institute.Chairman and Deputy CEO of UC RUSAL, Mr. Artem Volynets says “The biggest task for Governments is engaging and informing the community across all levels, from producer to consumer about the role they can play in improving the transformation of resources, including energy, from raw material to consumer goods and then to reuse.”

Mr. Volynets noted “our industry is committed to maintaining the position of aluminium as one of the most sustainable and preferred materials in building, transport and packaging.”
“Through its annual global surveys, the aluminium industry reports key sustainability indicators in greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, environment, health & safety performance, recycling and use phase benefits of aluminium applications. Some of our industry’s key achievements in reducing the environmental footprint, promoted by voluntary industry objectives and technology, process and product developments, include:

• Cumulative GHG savings from recycling, 1990 – 2008 1 billion tonnes CO2e
• Total PFC emissions (t CO2e) reduced by 70% – and no increase in total direct emissions – between 1990 & 2008, while doubling production
• GHG intensity per tonne of semi fabricated product, including savings from recycling, reduced by 22% between 1990 and 2008
• 300 million tonnes CO2e GHG emissions potentially saved through aluminium vehicle light weighting applications in 2008
• 9 million tonnes of aluminium recycled from post-consumer scrap annually, saving 80 million tonnes CO2e, with additional savings from the 9 million tonnes of pre-consumer (process/manufacturing) scrap recycled every year

Mr. Volynets said “these are excellent achievements by any measure and demonstrate the value of governments engaging with industry. Industry has demonstrated that it is an integral part of the response to GHG mitigation. Government can improve the effectiveness of its policy response to GHG by engaging with industry early in the development process.”

Mr. Volynets emphasised the “the IAI is ready to work with UNFCCC and other international agencies to develop suitable programmes and mechanisms for the sustainable development of the industry. Importantly, we are ready to share our experience and achievements in developing cost-effective industry responses.”