Hydro Annual Report 2011b

cost renewable energy production, will be highly appreciated
and well rewarded.
As a global aluminium champion we have a responsibility
to address the climate challenge, we have the ability to contribute
and I am convinced it will be profitable in the long run.
Challenge responsibly
I believe that aluminium, with its versatile range of properties,
is part of the solution. And I believe that The Hydro Way of
doing things is a healthy approach to survive and prosper even
in troubled times. There is a clear connection between performing
well in all aspects of everyday operations and in
achieving the deserved bottom line results.
I am deeply saddened by the fact that three of our colleagues
did not return safely home due to fatal accidents at
Hydro plants last year. Zero is the maximum number of fatalities
we can accept. Our operations, precautions and ability to
avoid high-risk incidents should be so good that accidents like
this simply do not happen.
Also, the environmental impact of our operations must be
minimized, regarding greenhouse gas emissions (GHG),
energy consumption, waste, water and biodiversity. I am
pleased that GHG emissions from Hydro’s comparable operations
decreased further by 5 percent last year. following the
integration of the vale aluminium assets and after Qatalum
moved into full production, Hydro’s nominal GHG emissions
increased. We are committed to continue our determined
efforts in technology development and operational improvements
to resume our long trend in the right direction.
When it comes to the impact of mining and refinery operations,
Hydro has plenty to learn, but I also believe that we have
something to contribute. We have become member of the International
Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) to benefit
from advice from our peers, to report and to exchange knowl-
“We have a
responsibility to address
the climate challenge, we have
the ability to contribute and
I am convinced it will be
profitable in the long run.”
Svein Richard Brandtzæg
President & CEO
AnnuAl report
Letter to shareholders
edge and best practices. In the communities where we now
operate in Brazil, we initiate and take part in important community
infrastructure, social and environmental programs.
We enjoy a very good relationship with local unions. I believe
that we have something to contribute by taking our “Hydro
model” of respect and cooperation with us to Brazil – and I am
convinced that the unions have a lot to contribute to Hydro.
Hydro is affiliated with the UN initiative Global Compact,
takes part in the World Business Council for Sustainable
Development and is included on the Dow Jones Sustainability
Indexes and fTSE4Good.
The metal and material of the future
I am still convinced that aluminium is the metal of the future.
Aluminium shall not only take part in creating growth and prosperity
the next decades, but also be a part of the solution to bringing
about growth in a way that respects the limits of nature, people
and society and the limited resources that we all depend upon.
Aluminium is an energy bank. The energy is not wasted
when turned into aluminium, the energy is stored in the metal,
enabling it to be recycled time and again and turned into new
products that we need every day. Consequently, 75 percent of all
aluminium ever produced is still in use. As millions strive to
climb out of poverty and into the global middle-class aluminium
both plays a role in enabling infrastructure developments
and in saving much of the energy and emissions this otherwise
positive development implies. Aluminium is future proof.
Building a bridge between short-term challenges and longterm
opportunities for aluminium is a balancing act and requires
determined efforts. We will challenge our minds, talents and
efforts to solve the challenges ahead, because the long-term prospects
of aluminium are promising and we look forward to take
part in shaping that future.
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