COP30 brings global spotlight to Pará, home of Hydro’s upstream operations in Brazil

By Jennifer Manning, Communications Manager
October 29, 2025

As the global spotlight turns to the Amazon at COP30, aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro has been on the ground for decades producing alumina and aluminium from bauxite. This United Nation climate change conference is a unique opportunity to demonstrate how responsible mining and metal production can drive the green transition.

Hydro is the largest industry player in the Brazilian state of Pará, where COP30 will take place, with more than 6,000 employees in Belem, Barcarena and Paragominas. 

“Our presence is about accountability and dialogue, not just visibility. Our participation at COP30 ensures Hydro has a voice in shaping global standards for low-carbon aluminium and demonstrates our commitment to transparency and collaboration. By participating in major events like COP30, Hydro wants to take part in the Norwegian and Brazilian presence and strengthen its influence in global climate discussions,” says Bjørn Kjetil Mauritzen, Senior Vice President of Group Sustainability at Hydro.

Aluminium production is inherently land use and energy intensive, and the raw material, bauxite, is often found in areas around the equator with high biodiversity value, such as the Amazon in Brazil. As the world increasingly focuses on the links between climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development, the aluminium industry faces significant scrutiny. COP30 amplifies these challenges and opportunities. 

“COP30 in the Amazon is a unique opportunity to demonstrate how responsible mining and metal production can contribute to the green and just transition. Our commitment to sustainability, community empowerment and climate leadership strengthens Hydro’s position as an industry leader in sustainability,” says Mauritzen.

While the Amazon’s critical role in climate regulation and biodiversity is likely to dominate discussions, heightened attention will be placed on all sectors operating locally, including mining, which faces ongoing attention and criticism regarding its effect on land use and biodiversity. 

Hydro recognizes the significant challenges associated with its operations and is committed to transparently addressing its impacts by focusing on three critical areas:

• Climate: Cutting emissions to combat climate change
• Nature: Protecting biodiversity in the Amazon
• Social: Empowering local communities and respecting human rights

These pillars guide Hydro’s actions and demonstrate how sustainability is embedded in the business strategy.

Climate: Decarbonizing aluminium production

Hydro is at the forefront of the aluminium industry’s drive toward net-zero, aiming for a 30 percent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero aluminium production by 2050. Since 1990, Hydro has successfully reduced emissions from its Norwegian smelters by over 50 percent, while increasing production by 40 percent. 

A BRL1.3 billion investment to replace fuel oil with natural gas at Hydro Alunorte alumina refinery in Barcarena, outside Belem, has reduced the refinery's carbon emissions by 30 percent. The fuel switch project is a key step in Hydro's climate strategy and global commitment to reduce Hydro's greenhouse gas emissions.

Hydro’s range of low-carbon primary aluminium is guaranteed to have generated a maximum carbon footprint of 4 kg CO2e per kg aluminium. Hydro REDUXA has a footprint of about a quarter of the global average (4 kg vs. 14,8 on global average), Hydro CIRCAL 75R has a footprint that is 88 percent lower (1,9 kg) and Hydro CIRCAL 100R is about 97 percent lower.

Hydro continues to pioneer innovative solutions such as HalZero zero-carbon aluminium technology, alongside investments in carbon capture, advanced recycling and a clean energy matrix powered by renewables.

Nature: Protecting biodiversity and reducing environmental footprint

Hydro is leading the way in aluminium production in the Amazon, working to minimize impacts through progressive rehabilitation and innovative waste management. Hydro’s “No Net Loss” commitment for its Paragominas mine ensures that every available mined area is rehabilitated within two hydrological seasons, with biodiversity impacts avoided, minimized, rehabilitated and offset from a 2020 baseline.

Over 80 percent of the mine’s water needs are met through rainwater capture and reuse, while innovative Tailings Dry Backfill technology in the Paragominas bauxite mine eliminates permanent tailings facilities and minimizes land use changes. 

Social: Community development and education

Hydro’s social ambition for 2050 is to improve lives and livelihoods where it operates. One of the pillars in this ambition is to empower communities through education and vocational training, with a goal to reach 500,000 individuals globally by 2030. 

Through the Hydro Fund in Brazil, more than 100,000 lives have been improved via community led projects and female entrepreneurship support, backed by an investment of BRL 100 million in Barcarena and nearby areas. 

Through the “Corridor” program, a growing alliance of international and local organizations are working to accelerate positive development in the Brazilian Amazon. The Corridor program was launched last year during New York Climate Week 2024. It is a pioneering multisector partnership led by Hydro, Mercedes-Benz and well known NGOs from the Amazon region: IPAM, CEA, and Imazon. Three new partners, Belterra Agroflorestas, Mitsui & Co. and Mitsui Foundation joined the Corridor program during the New York Climate Week 2025.

Transparency and collaboration

Hydro ensures traceability from bauxite mining to final product, which is verified in our product Hydro REDUXA low-carbon aluminium, supporting labor practices, human rights and emissions tracking. Hydro adheres to global standards such as ASI certification and advocates for mandatory emissions reporting.

Partnerships with leading automotive brands, local universities, and research institutions drive innovation and sustainable development. 

Operating in the Brazilian Amazon

Aluminium is the metal of the future, a key building block for the low-carbon, circular economy that contributes to a modern and viable society. Nonetheless, as with all materials, it also comes with a footprint. 

“We see it as our responsibility to minimize this footprint, while generating value to society. We are convinced that sustainability can drive profitability. To address climate change, we are investing in advanced technologies and implementing initiatives to make our operations more responsible and safer. In the Brazilian Amazon, a sensitive, complex and diverse region, we acknowledge that full commitment to sustainability and responsibility is the only possible way of conducting our operations,” says Mauritzen.

Hydro acknowledges the importance of continuously minimizing the environmental footprint and managing social impacts, while creating value to our end users, to local communities, and to society.

Hydro believes there is a way of conducting responsible, more sustainable, and safe operations in the Amazon region and welcome dialogue to openly discuss the challenges. Hydro’s presence at COP30, is an opportunity to drive the world’s efforts in the right direction and ensure a voice in shaping the global standards for low-carbon aluminium.

Aluminium is a vital material for the green transition. That’s why we’re changing the aluminium game by decarbonizing its production while contributing to a nature positive future and just transition. 

Hydro’s presence is about accountability and dialogue, not just visibility. The participation at COP30 ensures Hydro has a voice in shaping global standards for low-carbon aluminium and demonstrates our commitment to transparency and collaboration. By participating in major events like COP30, Hydro wants to take part in the Norwegian and Brazilian presence, and strengthen its influence in global climate discussions.