Sustainable Aluminum 101: How to Decarbonize a Critical Material for the Energy Transition

This RMI fact sheet outlines the climate impact of the aluminum industry and the necessary steps to decarbonize the sector to meet a 1.5°C pathway, focusing on the transition to renewable energy and the improvement of recycling practices.

• The aluminum industry accounts for approximately 2 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to the use of coal-fired electricity to produce metal from bauxite ore. China is the largest producer globally, accounting for 55 percent of production and remaining emissions-intensive.
• Aluminum consumption is projected to grow by 50 to 80 percent by 2050 due to its role in the energy transition. To remain aligned with a 1.5°C pathway, the industry's emissions must be reduced by 77 percent.
• Decarbonization requires a dual approach: transitioning raw material production to renewable energy sources and significantly increasing recycling rates. Transitioning the sector to renewable energy and reaching net zero by 2050 will require nearly $1 trillion in additional investment.
• To achieve net-zero goals by 2050, the industry must adjust its use of scrap aluminum. Pre-consumer scrap as a percentage of production must decrease from 13 percent to 9 percent, while the global use of post-consumer scrap in production must increase from 21 percent to 46 percent.
• RMI is addressing transparency gaps in the supply chain through its Aluminum GHG Emissions Reporting Guidance. This guidance encourages producers to separately disclose different types of scrap and the emissions intensity of products, helping financial institutions and corporate buyers direct capital and demand toward low-carbon aluminum.

APA

RMI (2024). Sustainable Aluminum 101: How to Decarbonize a Critical Material for the Energy Transition. https://rmi.org/resources/sustainable-aluminum-101-how-to-decarbonize-a-critical-material-for-the-energy-transition/

Chicago

RMI. Sustainable Aluminum 101: How to Decarbonize a Critical Material for the Energy Transition. 2024. https://rmi.org/resources/sustainable-aluminum-101-how-to-decarbonize-a-critical-material-for-the-energy-transition/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Sustainable Aluminum 101: How to Decarbonize a Critical Material for the Energy Transition |date=7 February 2024 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/sustainable-aluminum-101-how-to-decarbonize-a-critical-material-for-the-energy-transition/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2024sustainable, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Sustainable Aluminum 101: How to Decarbonize a Critical Material for the Energy Transition}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2024}, month = feb, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/sustainable-aluminum-101-how-to-decarbonize-a-critical-material-for-the-energy-transition/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }