Norilsk Nickel reports that its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions were among the lowest in the mining sector when benchmarked against global leaders. The company states these emissions stood at 9.9 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent, with a projected path to reduce to about 2.2 million tonnes CO2-equivalent under planned efficiency and decarbonization measures. This report serves as a continuation of the company’s ongoing climate disclosures, building on its first climate-focused publication and offering a broader view of progress, risks, and governance around climate-related matters.
“Tackling the climate agenda remains a top priority within our sustainable development framework,” noted Vladimir Zhukov, the Vice President for Investor Relations and Sustainable Development. “Publishing a dedicated climate theme report marks a qualitative shift in how we disclose climate information, aligning with leading international practices and providing stakeholders with clearer, more comprehensive insight into our performance and ambitions.”
To assess climate-related risks, the company has integrated a structured scenario analysis. Three global climate scenarios, developed with input from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, have been selected to reflect a range of potential futures. The Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics scenarios are adapted for local conditions across all asset regions, ensuring that regional exposure and resilience are captured in decision-making processes. This approach supports more robust resilience planning and informs capital allocation for climate adaptation and mitigation.
The environmental footprint of nickel production remains a focal point for Norilsk Nickel. The company reports that the carbon intensity for nickel metal is approximately 8.3 kilograms CO2-equivalent per kilogram of product, while the nickel sulfate product shows a footprint of about 1.8 kilograms CO2-equivalent per kilogram. These figures place the company among the lower-performing peers in the global nickel industry and reflect ongoing efforts to optimize processes, energy use, and supply chain efficiency. The company continues to pursue innovations across refining and processing that contribute to lower emissions per unit of output, alongside efforts to reduce energy intensity and transition to cleaner energy sources where feasible.
In response to climate change pressures, Norilsk Nickel has established a dedicated monitoring system for the stability of buildings and structures situated on permafrost soils within the Norilsk industrial zone. The monitoring network now encompasses 17 enterprises and more than 950 individual facilities, enabling proactive maintenance and risk-based planning. This infrastructure supports early detection of ground movement, frost-related stresses, and other climate-driven factors that could affect structural integrity, thereby safeguarding assets, workers, and community infrastructure in a harsh, Arctic environment.
“This report provides stakeholders with a transparent view of how the company is adapting to climate change and what practical measures are being taken to minimize its environmental footprint,” Zhukov added. The document outlines governance structures, target-setting processes, and performance tracking that connect climate actions with financial and operational performance, demonstrating how climate considerations are embedded in strategy and daily operations.
According to the report, the capital and operating expenditures associated with climate-related measures in 2022 reached 8.9 billion rubles. This level of investment reflects a sustained commitment to climate resilience, emissions reduction, and the modernization of facilities. The financial appendix outlines how these costs are distributed across maintenance, new projects, energy efficiency upgrades, and equipment modernization, illustrating the link between climate ambition and tangible, year-over-year improvements. The figures also highlight the company’s readiness to scale climate action alongside growth, focusing on long-term value creation for shareholders, employees, customers, and communities in the Arctic region.