Climate change

The 150 countries party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change met in Kyoto in December 1997 and responded to the threat of climate change by agreeing a Protocol to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

The aluminium industry emits certain greenhouse gases. The aluminium industry has demonstrated its readiness to address its responsibility for these emissions.

• The aluminium industry has consistently reduced energy use: greater energy efficiency during the production process is constantly sought especially as energy is the prime cost in the production process. Aluminium has always been used in applications (transportation, building, packaging) where weight saving and energy efficiency are essential criteria. For example, aluminium is increasingly the preferred material in all types of transport applications in order to lower fuel consumption.
• Market mechanisms: the European aluminium industry supports setting-up of approaches based on market mechanisms. These include voluntary agreements, joint implementation and tradeable credits.

Aluminium, as part of the solution

• The aluminium industry is keen to protect the climate from unnecessary emissions: major on-going research is underway to design new, improved, energy-saving aluminium products. The aluminium industry is committed to increase recycling and contributes to collection and sorting improvements.
• Use of aluminium products helps limit greenhouse gases emissions: aluminium products save energy because they are strong yet light. For the transport sector, the reduced weight offered by aluminium improves fuel economy. Moreover, aluminium increases payloads within maximum truck weights and reduces the number of trips necessary. For an average family car, each 100 kg weight saving from the use of aluminium amounts to a fuel saving in the range of 0.4-0.6 litre per 100 km.
• Aluminium in line with Kyoto objective: aluminium products can be reconverted into primary aluminium saving up to 95% of the energy used in their primary production. This process is self-supporting and aluminium recycling rates are outstanding.

Aluminium industry’s contribution to Kyoto initiative

• The aluminium industry has worked successfully to reduce its greenhouse gases emissions: voluntary industry initiatives and continuous technological advances have ensured that the aluminium industry has significantly cut its emissions of greenhouse gases. CO₂ emissions have been reduced by 10% in the past ten years and PFCs emissions with reference to the 1990 levels are reduced by more than 80% in 2005. Total GHG emissions from European aluminium have been reduced by 45% between 1990 and 2005.