We know that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, since severe increases in temperature will impact agricultural production, the integrity of forests and biodiversity, oceans, water and energy availability, and thus harm our quality of life. This is a challenge that requires the mobilization of companies, governments and civil society. And Alcoa is joining us in this pro-climate mobilization.
We contribute to global efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change, and in Brazil we remain committed to the causes of “Open Letter to Brazil on Climate Change” of the Business Climate Action Forum, namely:
- We publish an annual inventory of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, as well as actions to mitigate emissions and adapt to climate change;
- We seek to continuously reduce GHG emissions and guide our decisions towards options that promote the reduction of GHG emissions in our processes, products and services;
- We encourage carbon capture and sequestration and/or support emissions reduction actions;
- We engage with the government, civil society and our sectors of activity in an effort to understand the impacts of climate change in the regions where we operate and the respective adaptation actions.
But what does this mean in practice in our operations? Let's look at some examples.
In its commitment to publicly communicate its emissions, the company monitors them and follows the procedures of the Brazilian GHG Protocol program. Transparency in the publication and quantification of the greenhouse gas emissions inventory allowed Alcoa's operations in Brazil to receive, for the fifth consecutive time, the Gold Seal of this Program (access the program here). Alcoa GHG Inventory).
In pursuit of continuous reduction of GHG emissions, the company's goal is to reduce the total intensity of emissions (direct and indirect) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in the primary products business by 30% by 2020 and by 35% by 2030, based on 2005.
In Brazil, the company has challenged itself to operate its plants primarily with renewable energy, and already participates in four hydroelectric plants to support its production.
The Energy Efficiency Program aims to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption and emissions. Based on process optimization, the company's units have developed important actions as follows:
At Alumar, in São Luis/MA: process optimization and emissions management in energy sources resulted in a reduction of 15% in specific energy consumption from 2010 to 2014; an increase in the share of self-generated electricity from 36% to 65% in the last five years; a reduction in total emissions of CO², SOx and NOx; a reduction in the generation of solid waste; and a lower demand for purchased electricity. Improved performance and use of equipment allowed a reduction of 18% in energy consumption in 2015. This initiative was awarded in the 13th Benchmarking Brazil Ranking.
At the Poços de Caldas/MG factory: consolidation of the replacement of fuel oil with natural gas, a cleaner matrix that allows for a reduction in the carbon footprint.
At the Bauxite Mine in Juruti/PA: the change in the location of the Waste Disposal Area (ADR), resulting in a reduction in energy and fuel consumption, thanks to the modification of the logistics of truck trips; optimization of the route for the use of dump trucks in the transportation of branches and organic soil. In addition, there is a reduction in the consumption of water and process energy in the bauxite washers and an increase in productivity in the raw water collection system, consuming less energy per volume collected.
Also at the Juruti Mine, it is worth highlighting the partnership with the Juruti Velho community, since 2009, to work together in the rehabilitation of mined areas.
The people responsible for planting the seedlings are four community associations from the Juruti Velho region (opening photo). In addition to producing the seedlings in their communities with technical assistance from the Rural Production Support Program, which is part of the Environmental Control Plans (PCA), the community members won a contract to provide the reforestation planting service.
During the two-year contract, residents of the Galileia, Nova Esperança, Jauari, Capiranga, Pompom, Monte Moriá and Juruti-Açú communities will plant approximately 50,000 seedlings on 172 hectares of rehabilitation. In addition to generating income for local communities, the new contract represents efficiency and savings for the company. Since the beginning of this partnership, 16 communities and approximately 180 families in the region have been involved and benefited by the program.
Outside of the industrial environment, in our neighborhoods, there are several ways to encourage carbon capture and sequestration and support emissions reduction actions. One way is to encourage tree planting.
Alcoa globally, through the Alcoa Foundation and its partnership with the Global ReLeaf program, has challenged itself to plant 10 million trees by 2020 and encourages engagement with the communities in which it operates. All seedlings planted must be native species of each region.
In 2015, in Brazil, planting was carried out in four locations. In São Paulo, in partnership with the Associação Corredor Ecológico do Vale (ACEVP), 2,133 seedlings were planted. The native seedlings from the Atlantic Forest helped to restore the native forest near the Jaguari dam.
In the city of Juruti, 20,000 seedlings were planted in partnership with the Vitória Régia Institute. The objective of this project was to develop environmental protection and education actions led by local communities and the government, together with volunteers from the mine.
In the region of São Luís/MA, in partnership with the State University of Maranhão (UEMA), 5,000 seedlings were planted in order to improve agroforestry systems near the Pepital and Mearim rivers.
In the dimension of public engagement for mitigation and adaptation to climate change, the company has worked with business initiatives in climate (IEC), in forums like this one at CEBDS, in the Brazilian Industry Climate Network (CNI), in GVces Business for Climate Platform, in particular for learning and publishing emissions, and at the Ethos Institute Climate Forum.
In 2017, in partnership with WRI Brasil, we will begin a major project to encourage forest restoration in the State of Pará, with the mobilization of authorities, producers, communities, experts and other interested parties.
Alcoa believes that to grow sustainably, we must increasingly operate within the framework of the transition to a low-carbon economy, which takes advantage of new business opportunities and increases our competitiveness. This way, everyone wins, we generate prosperity, social inclusion, reduce impacts on the climate, and conserve and sustainably use natural resources.
