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Greenhouse gas intensity reduction
In 2008 overall net emissions for the Kwinana, Pinjarra and Wagerup alumina refineries and the Huntly and Willowdale bauxite mines totaled 4,776,100 tonnes of CO2e. The three refineries accounted for 4,696,900 tonnes of these emissions.
The total emissions for WA Operations (refining and bauxite mining) in 2007 were 4,924,000 tonnes CO2e, with refining accounting for 4,830,000 tonnes of these emissions, at a carbon emission intensity of 556 kgCO2e/tA. Carbon emission intensity measures the amount of carbon emitted for each tonne of aluminium or alumina produced.
Comparing the refinery emissions for 2007 with 2008, there is a decrease in emissions from 4,830,000 to 4,696,900 while alumina production increased.
As a result our WA refineries’ carbon intensity has decreased again in 2008 by about 4 per cent, from 556 kg CO2e /tA to 531 kg CO2e e/tA.
Direct emissions from the Portland and Pt Henry smelters in 2008 were 1,065,860 tonnes of CO2e. This equates to a carbon emission intensity of 1.94t t CO2e /tAl, compared to 2.08t CO2e /tAl in 2007.
As in previous years most of our emissions in Victoria in 2008 were indirect emissions from the generation of power, either at the Anglesea power station or from power purchased from the Victorian grid supply. This represented a total for indirect emissions of 10.4Mt CO2e, in 2008 compared to 10.39M tonnes CO2e for smelting indirect emissions in 2007.
Comparing the smelter emissions for 2007 with 2008 there has been an improvement of about 5% in direct emissions per tonne of aluminium.
Alcoa is a key member of the Australian Aluminium Council and actively supports the Council’s involvement in the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.
Alcoa is an active supporter of the International Aluminium Institute in developing global industry approaches to measuring PFC emissions and other greenhouse emission reduction initiatives.
As a founding member of the Australian Greenhouse Office’s Greenhouse Challenge Plus program, we have demonstrated a track record of working with the Federal government to develop and implement greenhouse policy.
Our Western Australian Operations Energy Lead Team continues to review refinery energy plans and facilitate technology transfer to improve energy efficiency.
Benchmarking and technology transfer within our global alumina business is ongoing, with a dedicated technical manager.
Globally, we have reduced direct greenhouse emissions by 25 per cent on 1990 levels. We achieved this target in 2003.
Also at the global level, we have established a Primary Products Greenhouse Network whose mission is to reduce our greenhouse footprint by identifying and accelerating reduction opportunities.
During 2008, we forthrightly discussed and shared our position and views on climate change and the Australian Federal Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) White Paper.
We support Australia’s actions in responding to the challenge of climate change, however the CPRS represents a significant risk to Australian aluminium industry jobs while overseas competitors do not face comparable carbon costs.
We believe the CPRS can work effectively, without compromising the viability of the Australian aluminium industry, if a balance is achieved which responds to the demands of climate change while ensuring jobs remain in Australia.
For example, emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries, like aluminium, should receive at least 90% permit assistance and this should be preserved until international competitors face a comparable carbon cost.
Full details on Alcoa’s voluntary activities to reduce our greenhouse footprint can be found here.
More information on the Australian Aluminium Industry’s response to the Government’s CPRS White Paper can be found here.
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