The Environmental Impact of Aluminum Production

Aluminum production significantly contributes to global CO2 emissions, accounting for about 3% of direct industrial emissions. Leading companies, such as Norsk Hydro, are implementing strategies to reduce their carbon footprint, which includes adopting renewable energy sources like hydropower and biogas. For instance, while the average global emissions for aluminum production hover around 16 kilograms of CO2 per kilogram of aluminum, Norsk Hydro maintains this figure at around four kilograms. This discrepancy emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices in aluminum production as part of a broader effort to address climate change.