Yet, a dilemma remains. To fully unlock aluminium’s role as a critical and greener material for the future, its present must be addressed. Today, aluminium accounts for two percent of global CO2e emissions, and production involves mining in impoverished areas and important ecosystems. Securing sustainable access to this strategic metal requires a resilient and responsible industrial model that reduces emissions, manages social and environmental impacts, and strengthens long-term supply stability. In other words, it requires changing the game.
We've done it before. Since Hydro’s founding in 1905, we have set out to solve the most pressing challenges of the time. From developing the energy resources that propelled society to pioneering fertilizers to feed a growing population, we are now applying this legacy to responsibly produce aluminium powered by renewable energy.
We are uniquely positioned to lead this transformation because we are not just a link in the chain, we are the value chain. By controlling every stage of aluminium production - from energy and raw materials to advanced recycling - we ensure transparency and increase supply chain resilience at every step, minimizing harmful practices from the mine to the end-product.
Combined with technology and innovation, this integrated model allows us to produce more aluminium with less energy and lower emissions, while advancing circularity and enabling low-carbon and recycled products with carbon footprints about one-fourth the industry average.
Since 1990, we have cut emissions from our Norwegian smelters by more than 50 percent, while increasing production by 40 percent. We are now accelerating our decarbonization efforts to achieve a 30 percent reduction in total emissions by 2030. By 2050, everything we produce will be net-zero, setting the standard for a resilient and responsible industry.
This responsibility goes beyond our operations, based on our belief that business can only succeed in societies that thrive. As a global company with a deep local presence, we are committed to creating long-term value where we operate, with respect for nature and the communities around us.
We support a just transition by respecting and promoting human rights, investing in education and skills for the future, while minimizing our environmental impact through investments in research, rehabilitation, and using innovative operating practices to manage waste and protect biodiversity. Our ambition to achieve no net loss of biodiversity in new projects is raising the bar across several parts of our business.
This is how Hydro creates industries that matter. By combining natural resources, renewable energy, and innovation, we enable long-term progress across sectors that depend on aluminium, shaping a more resilient and low-carbon future for people, products, and the planet.
Updated: April 17, 2026
