Full Title: Aluminum GHG Emissions Reporting Guidance
Author(s): Sravan Chalasani, Wenjuan Liu, and Iris Wu
Publisher(s): Rocky Mountain Institute
Publication Date: December 21, 2023
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Aluminum is the second most used metal. It is utilized in various sectors such as construction, electric transmission, transport, and consumer goods. Aluminum also plays a critical role in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy given its prominence in clean technologies such as power transmission, solar panels, electric cars, and others.
The aluminum sector is a significant emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs). It was responsible for more than 1.1 gigatons (Gt) of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) in 2018, which is around 2% of global anthropogenic emissions. Current aluminum production heavily relies on fossil fuels for power supply and making anode materials used in aluminum smelting. As a result, the transition to renewable energy sources and low-carbon manufacturing technologies is needed to fundamentally decarbonize the sector.
As environmental, social, and governance considerations become a core strategy for companies worldwide, end-users of aluminum that seek to cut carbon emissions from their supply chains, such as electric vehicle, electronic device, and beverage can manufacturers, will drive the demand for low-carbon aluminum.i To fulfill this demand, it is necessary for various players in the aluminum supply chain to provide emissions information at the product level using a consistent and transparent method to ensure accuracy and comparability. This allows end-users to confidently purchase aluminum with low embodied emissions and ensure that the purchasing decisions drive sectoral decarbonization in the aluminum industry.
This guidance details the methods for emissions calculation and reporting that aluminum companies can use to provide emissions information in a consistent and transparent manner, and in so doing, meet the demand for low-carbon aluminum.