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Can carbon units stop global warming?

What are carbon units and how are they used in industry

Reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions is not happening fast enough to assure the delivery of global and national decarbonization targets. Market-based mechanisms for trading carbon units were created to attract funding. Answer the test questions below, and you will learn how carbon units promote the green technologies roll-out.

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What is a carbon unit (CU)?
A carbon unit is the greenhouse gases volume equal to 1 ton of carbon dioxide (CO2).
A carbon unit is the greenhouse gas volume equal to 1 ton of carbon dioxide (CO2). This concept appeared after the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 and was updated after the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015. Russia is among 185 countries having ratified both documents.

The countries committed to reduce emissions so that the global temperature growth does not exceed 2°C. They also committed to use their efforts to limit the temperature growth within 1.5°C vs the pre-industrial level.

A Sakhalin pilot was launched in Russia in 2022. Quotas were set for major Sakhalin assets emitting big volumes of greenhouse gases. A fee is charged for exceeding the allowance. That said, producers can avoid penalties by buying extra carbon units.

Businesses that successfully use green technologies to cut their emissions below the allowance obtain extra carbon units. Companies can sell them directly to businesses that need them or sell the excess on an exchange. Businesses make money or cut costs, while the government encourages the development of technologies to reduce emissions.

Russia also has a voluntary carbon market where companies can trade carbon credits they have obtained by implementing voluntary climate projects.
A carbon unit is the greenhouse gas volume equal to 1 ton of carbon dioxide (CO2). This concept appeared after the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 and was updated after the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015. Russia is among 185 countries having ratified both documents.

The countries committed to reduce emissions so that the global temperature growth does not exceed 2°C. They also committed to use their efforts to limit the temperature growth within 1.5°C vs the pre-industrial level.

A Sakhalin pilot was launched in Russia in 2022. Quotas were set for major Sakhalin assets emitting big volumes of greenhouse gases. A fee is charged for exceeding the allowance. That said, producers can avoid penalties by buying extra carbon units.

Businesses that successfully use green technologies to cut their emissions below the allowance obtain extra carbon units. Companies can sell them directly to businesses that need them or sell the excess on an exchange. Businesses make money or cut costs, while the government encourages the development of technologies to reduce emissions.

Russia also has a voluntary carbon market where companies can trade carbon credits they have obtained by implementing voluntary climate projects.
A carbon unit is the greenhouse gas volume equal to 1 ton of carbon dioxide (CO2). This concept appeared after the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 and was updated after the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015. Russia is among 185 countries having ratified both documents.

The countries committed to reduce emissions so that the global temperature growth does not exceed 2°C. They also committed to use their efforts to limit the temperature growth within 1.5°C vs the pre-industrial level.

A Sakhalin pilot was launched in Russia in 2022. Quotas were set for major Sakhalin assets emitting big volumes of greenhouse gases. A fee is charged for exceeding the allowance. That said, producers can avoid penalties by buying extra carbon units.

Businesses that successfully use green technologies to cut their emissions below the allowance obtain extra carbon units. Companies can sell them directly to businesses that need them or sell the excess on an exchange. Businesses make money or cut costs, while the government encourages the development of technologies to reduce emissions.

Russia also has a voluntary carbon market where companies can trade carbon credits they have obtained by implementing voluntary climate projects.
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How long will it take one car to emit 1 ton of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?
Over 3 months, a passenger car emits the amount of CO2. equivalent to one carbon unit
A passenger car emits 1 ton of CO2 every quarter. While this amount is significant, it is incomparable to industrial emissions, which total billions of tons per year. In 2021, Russia adopted a socioeconomic development strategy that calls for greenhouse gas emissions to be cut by 80% against the 1990 level by 2050. By 2060, the country aims to achieve carbon neutrality. To meet these goals, Russia has adopted a Climate Doctrine. Its key component is the implementation of climate projects by large plants.

In 2021, Nornickel established a sustainability and climate change committee. Every year, the company's plants keep reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. They totaled 9.7 million tons in 2023. By contrast, emissions amounted to 9.9 million tons in 2022 and 10.3 million tons in 2021.
A passenger car emits 1 ton of CO2 every quarter. While this amount is significant, it is incomparable to industrial emissions, which total billions of tons per year. In 2021, Russia adopted a socioeconomic development strategy that calls for greenhouse gas emissions to be cut by 80% against the 1990 level by 2050. By 2060, the country aims to achieve carbon neutrality. To meet these goals, Russia has adopted a Climate Doctrine. Its key component is the implementation of climate projects by large plants.

In 2021, Nornickel established a sustainability and climate change committee. Every year, the company's plants keep reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. They totaled 9.7 million tons in 2023. By contrast, emissions amounted to 9.9 million tons in 2022 and 10.3 million tons in 2021.
A passenger car emits 1 ton of CO2 every quarter. While this amount is significant, it is incomparable to industrial emissions, which total billions of tons per year. In 2021, Russia adopted a socioeconomic development strategy that calls for greenhouse gas emissions to be cut by 80% against the 1990 level by 2050. By 2060, the country aims to achieve carbon neutrality. To meet these goals, Russia has adopted a Climate Doctrine. Its key component is the implementation of climate projects by large plants.

In 2021, Nornickel established a sustainability and climate change committee. Every year, the company's plants keep reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. They totaled 9.7 million tons in 2023. By contrast, emissions amounted to 9.9 million tons in 2022 and 10.3 million tons in 2021.
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When were carbon units first sold in Russia?
In 2022, carbon units were traded for the first time on the Moscow Exchange.
In 2022, carbon units were traded for the first time on the Moscow Exchange. For now, these are voluntary carbon units that companies obtain by implementing climate projects.

Starting in 2025, a mandatory market will be set up in Sakhalin, where emission allowances will be measured in carbon units. According to VTB Capital’s estimate, carbon market turnover may reach $1.5–3 billion by 2030.
In 2022, carbon units were traded for the first time on the Moscow Exchange. For now, these are voluntary carbon units that companies obtain by implementing climate projects.

Starting in 2025, a mandatory market will be set up in Sakhalin, where emission allowances will be measured in carbon units. According to VTB Capital’s estimate, carbon market turnover may reach $1.5–3 billion by 2030.
In 2022, carbon units were traded for the first time on the Moscow Exchange. For now, these are voluntary carbon units that companies obtain by implementing climate projects.

Starting in 2025, a mandatory market will be set up in Sakhalin, where emission allowances will be measured in carbon units. According to VTB Capital’s estimate, carbon market turnover may reach $1.5–3 billion by 2030.
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How many carbon units were purchased under the largest agreement in Russia?
 In October 2024, Nornickel and RusHydro signed the biggest emissions reduction purchase agreement in Russia.
On 27 September 2024, during the Russian Energy Week, Nornickel purchased 10,000 carbon units from RusHydro. The deal was the largest on the national carbon market and the first in the metallurgy company’s history. The purchased carbon units have been credited to Nornickel’s account in the state register.

Stanislav Seleznev, Nornickel's Vice President for Environment and HSE, pointed out that the Arctic is especially sensitive to climate change. That’s why it is important for Nornickel to have an understanding of what it can do in these circumstances. Buying carbon units is the first step. Stanislav Seleznev revealed at COP29 that the company plans to enter the international carbon market, start generating carbon units, and launch a large climate project in Russia.

RusHydro obtained its carbon units as a result of the Vladivostok CHPP-2's full gasification in 2022. The plant used to run on brown coal, but switching to gas decreased its CO2 emissions by 60%.

To obtain voluntary carbon units, the company must submit its climate project and register it in the national register. Then it should monitor the project's progress and document its results. The operator verifies the results, issues carbon units, and credits them to the company's account.
On 27 September 2024, during the Russian Energy Week, Nornickel purchased 10,000 carbon units from RusHydro. The deal was the largest on the national carbon market and the first in the metallurgy company’s history. The purchased carbon units have been credited to Nornickel’s account in the state register.

Stanislav Seleznev, Nornickel's Vice President for Environment and HSE, pointed out that the Arctic is especially sensitive to climate change. That’s why it is important for Nornickel to have an understanding of what it can do in these circumstances. Buying carbon units is the first step. Stanislav Seleznev revealed at COP29 that the company plans to enter the international carbon market, start generating carbon units, and launch a large climate project in Russia.

RusHydro obtained its carbon units as a result of the Vladivostok CHPP-2's full gasification in 2022. The plant used to run on brown coal, but switching to gas decreased its CO2 emissions by 60%.

To obtain voluntary carbon units, the company must submit its climate project and register it in the national register. Then it should monitor the project's progress and document its results. The operator verifies the results, issues carbon units, and credits them to the company's account.
On 27 September 2024, during the Russian Energy Week, Nornickel purchased 10,000 carbon units from RusHydro. The deal was the largest on the national carbon market and the first in the metallurgy company’s history. The purchased carbon units have been credited to Nornickel’s account in the state register.

Stanislav Seleznev, Nornickel's Vice President for Environment and HSE, pointed out that the Arctic is especially sensitive to climate change. That’s why it is important for Nornickel to have an understanding of what it can do in these circumstances. Buying carbon units is the first step. Stanislav Seleznev revealed at COP29 that the company plans to enter the international carbon market, start generating carbon units, and launch a large climate project in Russia.

RusHydro obtained its carbon units as a result of the Vladivostok CHPP-2's full gasification in 2022. The plant used to run on brown coal, but switching to gas decreased its CO2 emissions by 60%.

To obtain voluntary carbon units, the company must submit its climate project and register it in the national register. Then it should monitor the project's progress and document its results. The operator verifies the results, issues carbon units, and credits them to the company's account.
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Which gas is not a greenhouse gas?
What are carbon units and how are they used in industry
Nitrogen (N2) does not contribute to the greenhouse effect since it does not absorb solar radiation or trap heat in the atmosphere.

A greenhouse gas is produced when nitrogen reacts with oxygen (N₂O). It has a 298-fold bigger impact on global warming than carbon dioxide. Nitrous oxide is produced as a result of biological processes in soils, wetlands, and the World Ocean. Sources of the gas include forest fires, the use of nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture, and industrial processes.

Other greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH2), and even water vapor (H₂O). Humans are only partially to blame for rising water vapor in the atmosphere. Global warming, which is brought on by an increased concentration of other greenhouse gases, causes water to evaporate from the World Ocean's surface more actively.
Nitrogen (N2) does not contribute to the greenhouse effect since it does not absorb solar radiation or trap heat in the atmosphere.

A greenhouse gas is produced when nitrogen reacts with oxygen (N₂O). It has a 298-fold bigger impact on global warming than carbon dioxide. Nitrous oxide is produced as a result of biological processes in soils, wetlands, and the World Ocean. Sources of the gas include forest fires, the use of nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture, and industrial processes.

Other greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH2), and even water vapor (H₂O). Humans are only partially to blame for rising water vapor in the atmosphere. Global warming, which is brought on by an increased concentration of other greenhouse gases, causes water to evaporate from the World Ocean's surface more actively.
Nitrogen (N2) does not contribute to the greenhouse effect since it does not absorb solar radiation or trap heat in the atmosphere.

A greenhouse gas is produced when nitrogen reacts with oxygen (N₂O). It has a 298-fold bigger impact on global warming than carbon dioxide. Nitrous oxide is produced as a result of biological processes in soils, wetlands, and the World Ocean. Sources of the gas include forest fires, the use of nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture, and industrial processes.

Other greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH2), and even water vapor (H₂O). Humans are only partially to blame for rising water vapor in the atmosphere. Global warming, which is brought on by an increased concentration of other greenhouse gases, causes water to evaporate from the World Ocean's surface more actively.
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What technology is Nornickel developing that will allow it to use tailings dumps in order to reduce its carbon footprint?
Due to natural mineralization, tailings dumps absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Artificial mineralization is a process that stimulates the absorption of СО2 by mine waste. Mine waste is the material left over after mined ore is milled and concentrated. Tailings are the waste product of beneficiation, and tailings dumps are where they are stored.

If tailings are left on the ground, natural mineralization occurs as a result of weathering. Minerals in the ore come into contact with airborne carbon dioxide producing stable carbonates that stay in the tailings dump.

According to Nornickel’s estimate, natural mineralization can bind from 4.5 to 17.9 kg of CO2 per ton of tailings, depending on the mineralogical composition of the mine waste. Natural mineralization takes time, though. Nornickel is developing a new technology that will enable an increase in the absorption rate and volume. Rolling out the technology to every production site will allow the company to decrease its carbon footprint.

The company is fine-tuning its methodology for assessing the absorption capacity of tailings dumps. Once it has been tested and verified, it will be used to assess greenhouse gas emissions by Nornickel’s production sites.
Artificial mineralization is a process that stimulates the absorption of СО2 by mine waste. Mine waste is the material left over after mined ore is milled and concentrated. Tailings are the waste product of beneficiation, and tailings dumps are where they are stored.

If tailings are left on the ground, natural mineralization occurs as a result of weathering. Minerals in the ore come into contact with airborne carbon dioxide producing stable carbonates that stay in the tailings dump.

According to Nornickel’s estimate, natural mineralization can bind from 4.5 to 17.9 kg of CO2 per ton of tailings, depending on the mineralogical composition of the mine waste. Natural mineralization takes time, though. Nornickel is developing a new technology that will enable an increase in the absorption rate and volume. Rolling out the technology to every production site will allow the company to decrease its carbon footprint.

The company is fine-tuning its methodology for assessing the absorption capacity of tailings dumps. Once it has been tested and verified, it will be used to assess greenhouse gas emissions by Nornickel’s production sites.
Artificial mineralization is a process that stimulates the absorption of СО2 by mine waste. Mine waste is the material left over after mined ore is milled and concentrated. Tailings are the waste product of beneficiation, and tailings dumps are where they are stored.

If tailings are left on the ground, natural mineralization occurs as a result of weathering. Minerals in the ore come into contact with airborne carbon dioxide producing stable carbonates that stay in the tailings dump.

According to Nornickel’s estimate, natural mineralization can bind from 4.5 to 17.9 kg of CO2 per ton of tailings, depending on the mineralogical composition of the mine waste. Natural mineralization takes time, though. Nornickel is developing a new technology that will enable an increase in the absorption rate and volume. Rolling out the technology to every production site will allow the company to decrease its carbon footprint.

The company is fine-tuning its methodology for assessing the absorption capacity of tailings dumps. Once it has been tested and verified, it will be used to assess greenhouse gas emissions by Nornickel’s production sites.
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You have a somewhat vague idea of what carbon units are.
So do most people. Carbon units is an exciting new concept that will be all the rage soon. Not so long ago, solar plants were a rarity too. And now, a potent green energy source will emerge on the grounds of the Bystrinskoye Mining and Processing Plant in Transbaikal of all places.
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It is great that you are concerned about global warming.
You are well-versed in strategies to combat climate change. The emergence of the carbon market will encourage large production sites to reduce their carbon footprint. The Nornickel climate report provides more information about the steps the company is taking to address climate change.
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You are well aware of the climate change agenda.
You might even be leading the fight against climate change and have already turned to carbon units. You are well aware that systematic effort, not empty talk, is what matters most in the fight against climate change. If every production site includes steps to reduce its carbon footprint in its development strategy, there is a good chance of winning the fight.
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Photos by Nornickel, Artyom Geodakian/TASS, Adhivaswut/Shutterstock/FOTODOM
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