OREANDA-NEWS. On 21 February 2008 UC RUSAL, the world’s largest aluminium and alumina producer, announced that it has joined the "UN Caring for Climate: The Business Leadership Platform" global initiative.

The Caring for Climate: The Business Leadership Platform initiative is a voluntary action platform established by a consultative group of businesses and civic society representatives that brings together the UN Global Compact, the UN Environment Programme and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Its aim is to advance practical solutions to the climate change problem.  The initiative includes engaging with governments on developing legislation aimed at creating a low carbon economy; developing a coherent business strategy for minimizing risks and identifying opportunities; introducing modern clean technologies, and shaping public opinion to promote the importance of early action in tackling climate change.

UC RUSAL believes that reducing the environmental effects of its work is a top priority. Having signed the memorandum of understanding in 2007 on uniting efforts to reduce carbon emissions, UC RUSAL became the first company in Russia to join UNDP in its efforts to develop and implement a series of international projects addressing the challenge of climate change. Joining the UNDP global initiative has expanded the company’s opportunities to successfully implement its own voluntary initiative “Paving The Way To A Safer World”, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 
   
Since 2000, the companies that comprise UC RUSAL have invested over USD 1 billion in environmental protection activities. Between 2007 and 2013 the company has allocated USD 1.4 billion to its modernisation programmes that are aimed at further improving its ecological profile. This will enable the company to reduce emissions by almost one and a half times by 2015. The expanded modernisation programme will also bring all of UC RUSAL’s smelting facilities to a single environmental standard.

Climate change has become a key international issue. UC RUSAL’s responsible and timely actions aimed at the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the practical efforts it has undertaken in the countries and regions where the company operates, is its contribution to the world’s sustainable development as the global aluminium industry leader.