23 July 2019 – En+ Group ("En+" or "the Group"), a leading international vertically integrated aluminium and power producer, has joined the Energy Transitions Commission (“ETC”) as part of its strategy to lead a global shift towards low carbon aluminium. The Group will support the ETC’s research into reaching net-zero carbon emissions from heavy industry and collaborate with other members to identify the most effective actions to realise this goal.
The ETC is an alliance of global leaders from business, NGOs and academics working to answer one question: How can we provide the energy needed to support a growing global population and greater economic prosperity, without damaging our environment beyond repair? It works to provide decision-makers with research, analytics and policy insights, and engages public and private stakeholders to advocate ambitious energy transition strategies. The ETC’s members currently come from organisations as diverse as BP, Royal Dutch Shell, HSBC, the London School of Economics, the UN Foundation and the European Climate Foundation.
By joining the ETC, En+ aims to draw on the international expertise of current members to identify new ways it can work towards its targets for greenhouse gas reduction. It will also use its experience from ongoing sustainability programmes to support research and initiatives that impel a global shift towards low carbon materials.
Lord Adair Turner, Chairman of the Energy Transitions Commission said:
“The ETC’s report Mission Possible has shown that there is a real opportunity for deep decarbonization in heavy industry. The aluminium sector in particular is one where zero-carbon power can make a significant difference. En+ Group has shown it is serious about a low-carbon future. Its experience driving down carbon emissions of its operations and its commitment to pursue this decarbonization journey will be an invaluable addition to our diverse alliance of partners and further hasten the drive towards a net-zero carbon emissions economy.”
Lord Gregory Barker, Executive Chairman of En+ Group, said:
“En+ is committed to playing a genuine leadership role in the drive to a global low carbon economy. As the world’s largest producer of aluminium outside of China we have a particular responsibility to drive progress and we are convinced that low carbon products are the only way our business—and industry—can secure its place in the economy of the future.
“The remarkable depth of expertise at the ETC will help us take our sustainability programmes to the next level, drawing on best practice from around the world to implement further initiatives for decarbonising our operations. What’s more, alongside our partners in the ETC we can help drive a global shift towards low carbon materials.”
Vladimir Kiriukhin, Chief Executive Officer of En+ Group, said:
“Joining the ETC is an important step for En+ Group. I am proud of the significant progress made to date by the Company to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and improve the efficiency of both our hydropower and metals operations. Combining our knowledge and experience with other industry leaders will add new impetus to this drive for continual improvement, helping us generate greater value from our operations while also reducing our impact on the planet.”
About the Energy Transitions Commission
The Energy Transitions Commission (ETC) brings together a diverse group of leaders from across the energy landscape: energy producers, energy users, equipment suppliers, investors, non-profit organizations and academics from the developed and developing world. The aim is to accelerate change towards low-carbon energy systems that enable robust economic development and limit the rise in global temperature to well below 2˚C and as close as possible to 1.5˚C. The ETC is co-chaired by Lord Adair Turner and Dr. Ajay Mathur.
The ETC’s latest report Mission Possible: Reaching net-zero carbon emissions from harder-to-abate sectors by mid-century is available on the ETC’s website: www.energy-transitions.org/mission-possible
