IRENA Outlines Path To Net-Zero Emissions In Aluminium Industry With Renewables And Recycling – Report

The report from IRENA titled “Reaching Zero with Renewables: Decarbonising Aluminium” explains how the aluminum industry can reduce its carbon emissions to zero by shifting to renewable energy and adopting modern technologies. Aluminium is widely used in construction, packaging, and electronics, and demand for it is expected to grow by over 80% by 2050. But the production process of aluminum releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, especially from the use of fossil fuels in electricity and heat generation, and from the chemical reactions in the smelting process.

The report shows that in 2022, the aluminum sector emitted 1.1 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide, which is about 2% of global energy-related emissions. The electricity used in aluminum production alone accounts for over 60% of these emissions, mainly because many aluminum plants still rely on coal-based electricity. Also, smelting – the process that turns alumina into aluminum metal – contributes another 30% of the sector’s emissions. The report emphasizes that urgent action is needed to bring these emissions down to meet global climate goals.

To address this, IRENA lays out a clear roadmap to help the aluminum sector become carbon-neutral. The report identifies two key strategies. First, switching to 100% renewable electricity is critical. This means that aluminum plants should move away from fossil fuels and instead use electricity generated from solar, wind, and hydropower. This alone could cut more than half of the sector’s emissions. Second, the report suggests deploying new technologies such as inert anode smelting, which replaces the traditional carbon-based anodes used in smelting with ones that don’t produce CO₂. If these technologies are fully adopted, they could eliminate almost all emissions from the smelting process.

Another important point the report highlights is improving recycling. Producing aluminum from recycled material requires 95% less energy than producing it from raw materials. By increasing the recycling rate and improving how scrap is collected and reused, the industry could significantly reduce energy use and emissions. The report estimates that recycled aluminum could meet over half of global aluminum demand by 2050 if the right policies are in place.

The report also talks about the need for supportive policies and global collaboration. Governments and industry players must work together to invest in renewable infrastructure, create incentives for low-carbon aluminum, and support innovation in clean technologies. It encourages companies and countries to adopt certification systems that reward the use of low-carbon and recycled aluminum, helping consumers and businesses make informed choices.

The IRENA report presents a clear and achievable plan for decarbonizing the aluminum sector. It makes the case that by 2050, it is possible to reach net-zero emissions in aluminum production through a combination of 100% renewable electricity, innovative smelting technologies, and large-scale recycling. The report stresses that this transition is not only technically possible but also economically beneficial in the long term, helping the world meet climate goals while ensuring sustainable growth in aluminum demand.