ESG & MoECC spearheads efforts to reduce carbon footprint in the aluminium industry

The governments of Singapore and Qatar are collaborating to enhance carbon footprint accounting in the aluminium industry. Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and Qatar's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) are leading efforts to implement cutting-edge technologies and frameworks to achieve this goal. 

About the initiatives

This initiative supports the aluminium sector and sets a precedent for other industries to follow. Singaporean companies like #dltledgers are instrumental in this effort, providing the essential technological framework to achieve these goals through joint collaboration.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Qatar, play a pivotal role in global aluminium production. Qatar meets approximately 10 per cent of the world's aluminium demand and exports 60 per cent of its output to over 65 countries. Qatar's dedication to sustainability is evident through initiatives spearheaded by its Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC).

"We are excited to join hands with Singapore in launching the Qatar-Singapore Joint Innovation Challenge, to provide valuable opportunities for Singapore companies to offer their innovations to Qatari entities. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to driving innovation and growth for Qatar while strengthening our global partnerships," said Nada Al-Olaqi, RDI Programme Director of the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council.

The aluminium industry is a significant emitter of CO2, responsible for more than 1.1 billion tonnes of CO2e emissions annually, about 2 per cent of global anthropogenic emissions. With the projected increase in aluminium demand, addressing these emissions is crucial to limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Decarbonising the aluminium industry requires a multifaceted approach, focusing on three key areas: 

• reducing the carbon footprint of electricity consumption
• mitigating direct emissions from aluminium processing 
• enhancing the recycling of aluminium scrap

Decarbonising electricity consumption entails shifting towards renewable energy sources and adopting carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies. Addressing direct emissions involves advancing technologies that offer heat and steam alternatives to fossil fuels and innovating non-carbon anodes. Recycling aluminium scrap is pivotal, given its requirement of only 5 per cent of the energy used in primary aluminium production, thereby substantially cutting down carbon emissions.

Collaboration across the value chain

The successful decarbonisation of the aluminium industry hinges on collaborative efforts across the entire value chain, spanning from suppliers to customers. Research and development in critical areas such as inert anode technology, CCUS applications, and enhanced scrap collection methods are paramount. Additionally, close collaboration between industry players and power providers is essential to facilitate the transition to renewable energy sources.

In Qatar, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), in partnership with the Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC), is actively exploring innovative solutions to decarbonise the aluminium sector. This initiative seeks to inspire proactive and collaborative efforts among industry stakeholders, suppliers, and customers to tackle decarbonisation challenges collectively.

Through sharing industry-specific examples and potential pathways for impactful change, Qatar's initiatives underscore the significance of collective action in reducing the sector's carbon footprint.

Leading companies such as #dltledgers are pioneering technological solutions to bolster these governmental initiatives. #dltledgers specialises in source-level coordination, collaboration, and multi-user engagement, all while maintaining verifiable audit trails to ensure compliance with regulations aimed at reducing carbon footprints. Through its Proteus framework, #dltledgers provides transparent visibility into corporate and product carbon footprints, enabling accurate and auditable records for all stakeholders involved. This aids in the tracking and effective reduction of carbon footprints.

Underscoring the nation's dedication to sustainability

Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Qatar's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, underscored the nation's dedication to environmental sustainability and regional collaboration. He emphasised Qatar's active engagement in international dialogues and initiatives, including COP28, highlighting its pivotal role in harmonising efforts to combat climate change and bolster environmental sustainability.

The partnership between Singapore and Qatar epitomises the global endeavour necessary to address carbon footprints in heavy industries. These countries are leading the path towards a more sustainable future through technological innovations and collaborative ventures.

Decarbonising the aluminium industry is challenging but achievable through collective action and innovative solutions. As more nations join this endeavour, the trajectory towards a low-carbon economy becomes increasingly apparent, motivating industries worldwide to embrace sustainable practices and technologies.