Environment
Basic approach
Under the UACJ sustainability slogan, “Passing down a brighter world over the next century,” we are working to realize a beautiful and bountiful earth that will last for years to come. As such, we are focusing on maximizing the environmental performance of aluminum, a contribution to the environment that only UACJ can make. For example, aluminum can be used in automobiles to reduce body weight, thereby improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions of CO2 and other GHGs. In addition, recycling reduces GHG emissions by approximately 97% when compared to producing virgin ingots. In this way, reducing environmental impacts through aluminum is value that we are uniquely positioned to provide.
Against the backdrop of these efforts, we have identified three materiality issues in the environmental field: leading a circular economy in aluminum, taking measures to address climate change, and supporting environmental health and nature (Nature Positive). These are not independent issues, but are interrelated, mutually reinforcing, and integrated, and it is essential that they be addressed as one.
Out of these, it is “leading a circular economy in aluminum” that plays the central role. Recycling aluminum, promoting its use more widely, and recycling aluminum into the same products (closed loop recycling) will not only reduce GHG emissions and thus help address climate change, but also reduce the amount of new ingots used, which will curb the mining of new bauxite, in turn helping to support environmental health and nature (Nature Positive). Accordingly, UACJ is implementing environmental initiatives focused on promoting aluminum recycling.
