Greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint of products
GRI 305‑1, 305‑2, 305‑4/ SASB EM‑MM‑110a.1
Nornickel uses the GHG Protocol methodology to calculate its GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2), taking into account carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) emissions, with no or insignificant emissions of other greenhouse gases. The quantitative assessment of Scope 1 GHG emissions also includes the Company’s estimated prospective GHG emissions associated with the implementation of the Sulphur Programme.
In 2023, direct and indirect GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2) decreased by 0.2 mt of CO2 equivalent y‑o‑y to a total of 9.7 mt of CO2 equivalent, including the GHG provision for the Sulphur Project and the supply of heat and electricity to retail customers. The Company’s direct GHG emissions amounted to 9.2 mt of CO2 equivalentIncluding a GHG emissions provision for the Sulphur Project and GHG emissions generated from heat and electricity supply to households. and indirect energy emissions, to 0.5 mt of CO2 equivalent. Indirect energy emissions were calculated using the location‑based method, taking into account regional coefficients.
Trans‑Baikal Division entered into a bilateral agreement for the purchase and sale of 212.1 million kWh of electricity (up 20% y‑o‑y) generated by third‑party hydroelectric power plants. This initiative led to a reduction of Scope 2 GHG emissions in 2023 by more than 200 kt of CO2 equivalent.
The reduction in the Company’s GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2) was driven by the following factors:
- lower unit fuel consumption associated with electricity generation resulting from optimised equipment operation at heat and power plants;
- increased reliance on hydro power plants as part of overall energy system optimisation;
- reduction in the volume of diesel fuel used up by heat and power plants in 2023 compared to 2022.
The intensity of GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2) was 6.1 t of CO2 equivalent per RUB 1 mln of consolidated IFRS revenue.
In 2023, Nornickel submitted a report on GHG emissions to the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia for inclusion of relevant data into the registry of GHG emissionsIn accordance with Federal Law No. 296-FZ On Limiting Greenhouse Gas Emissions dated 2 July 2021.. Only direct GHG emissions are included in the quantitative assessment of emissions. GHG emissions are calculated in accordance with Order No. 371 On Approving Methods for Quantitative Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Absorption dated 27 May 2022.
Comparison with global metals and mining peers
GHG emissions (downstream and upstream Scope 3)
GRI 305‑3
The Company conducts an annual quantitative assessment of Scope 3 emissions that arise outside of Nornickel Group’s operations and are beyond its control. These emissions are categorised as upstream and downstream emissions.
Their quantitative assessment follows the recommendations of the GHG Protocol and IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.
In 2023, the Company continued to publicly disclose its quantitative estimates of upstream Scope 3 GHG emissions, covering all emission categories required by the GHG Protocol. The bulk of the emissions are related to the purchase of goods and equipment from third‑party suppliers and to energy and fuel consumption (to the extent not included in Scope 1 and 2).
In 2023, total emissions (upstream Scope 3) amounted to 1.3 mt of CO2 equivalent. The decrease in upstream Scope 3 emissions was primarily driven by the reduced reliance on diesel fuel for electricity generation in the Norilsk Industrial District, as well as the divestment of NordStar Airlines in 2022.
Downstream Scope 3 emissions are associated with the transportation of the Company’s products from production assets to consumers and subsequent processing.
The assessment covers the following types of products: nickel, copper, cobalt, PGM, gold, copper and nickel semi‑products, and iron ore concentrate. Among these, the bulk of emissions stem from the sale of semi‑products to third parties beyond the Group.
The increase in downstream Scope 3 emissions was driven by changes in the Group’s sales volumes, product mix and customer portfolio, as well as the geographical distribution of sales. The key driver behind higher downstream Scope 3 emissions in 2023 compared to 2022 was the rise in sales of semi‑products, primarily iron ore concentrate produced by GRK Bystrinskoye
The Company continuously improves the methodology for quantifying downstream Scope 3 emissions by monitoring international guidelines like ISO and ICMM standards, taking part in drafting industry recommendations through the Nickel Institute and International Platinum Group Metals Association, and collaborating with the buyers of its products to gather data on emissions during product processing.
Carbon footprint of products
Assessment of products’ carbon footprint in 2023Including the Sulphur Programme provision. Group data, including foreign companies of Kola Division.
The carbon footprint of MMC Norilsk Nickel’s products is calculated in accordance with:
- ISO 14067:2018, ISO 14040:2006, and ISO 14044:2006 standards;
- GHG Protocol Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard methodology;
- LME passport guidance – Nickel Institute guidance for nickel producers to calculate their GHG emissions;
- the IPA’s guidance: The Carbon Footprint of Platinum Group Metals: A Best Practice Guidance for the Calculation of GHG of Primary Produced PGMs.
In 2023, the Company made efforts to align its corporate methodology for calculating the carbon footprint pf products with the industry model.
In the medium term, Nornickel plans to deploy an end‑to‑end automated system for calculating GHG‑related indicators based on a unified methodology using a dedicated IT platform. This solution will allow for more efficient and accurate carbon accounting of all material flows, process stages and resources across the Group. In addition, the automated process will make it easier to provide information on the carbon footprint of products to all stakeholders in a timely manner.