ES PT
ES PT

Climate Change

Innovation and a collaborative ecosystem

The climate change topic is very relevant to Nexa and a fundamental pillar of our ESG strategy. We currently develop innovative projects in collaboration with different partners to improve our performance in the use of clean energy, in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in operations and in the value chain.

In a recent initiative, we consolidated the implementation and use of tools for calculating the GHG Protocol in all operating units and corporate areas. 

The objective is for our activities to be increasingly sustainable, with projects aimed at optimizing treatment and operational systems, increasing the use of renewable energies and seeking commercial agreements with suppliers of this energy model.

Reduction of Emissions and Neutrality

Nexa has been reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since its establishment through innovation, collaboration and the use of cutting-edge technology, aiming to become one of the world’s smallest carbon footprint zinc producers.

In our sustainability journey and in line with global trends, we understand the climate emergency and its potential impacts on business and society.

We have been working on building a low-carbon transition plan, a key mechanism to drive the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Therefore, the share of renewable sources in our energy matrix has been growing year after year.

Moreover, committed to the global demands of the market and our stakeholders, we publish the annual Greenhouse Gas Emission (GHG) Inventory, describing the direct and indirect emissions resulting from the performance of the company’s activities.

GHG EMISSIONS in 2022

Our GHG emissions totaled 302,570.198 tCO2e in the year 2021, which meant a decrease of 61% compared to the previous year.

  • TOTAL GHG EMISSIONS in 2021
    302,570.198 tCO2e
  • SCOPE 1
    247,218.640 tCO2e
  • SCOPE 2¹
    7,780.928 tCO2e
  • SCOPE 3
    47,570.630 tCO2e
¹ Considering the “location-based” scope, whose emission factor is based on the interconnected electrical system at the place of consumption, emissions totaled 555,516.96 tCO2e, representing an increase of 121,051.02 tCO2e in compared to the previous year, mainly as a result of the resumption of operations that, in the previous year, had the impact of stoppage due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, we started to adopt the marked-based criterion, whose emission factors are specific to the type of generation technology traded in the free energy market.

 

Our Management

We maintain an active risk assessment, monitoring, and updating process as part of the environmental management system, considering all operating units and corporate areas. We perform a classification and weighting of each scenario, such as scope, nature of activity, incidence and probability. 

 

All identified risk scenarios are classified according to the potential impact. Based on that, we define an action plan for preventive and corrective mitigation measures. Moreover, in case of unacceptable residual risks, we implement a strategic action plan to complement the impact and/or probability reduction.

Management: Climate Risks

We have developed a climate risk matrix considering the main factors that could influence our business. The scenarios mapped include risk factors directly related to climate change and socio-environmental ones, such as adverse weather conditions, excessive rainfall, floods, droughts and changes in biodiversity. The risks mapped at the operational level were also analyzed considering the criteria of impact to the business and risk exposure level (operational or strategic), aiming to define the management strategy.

Get to know our initiatives

In our journey to reduce emissions, we have advanced a gradual change in the energy matrix by using renewable fuels or those from clean sources and seeking commercial agreements for the use of renewable energy.

To achieve our goals in this area, we also carry out projects in collaboration with startups, universities and research centers. Moreover, we have started a movement that encourages our value chain with goals for the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable and clean energies.

As part of our decarbonization plan, we have several initiatives underway, as follows:

Change in the energy matrix at the Cajamarquilla unit in Peru

Change in the energy matrix at the Cajamarquilla unit in Peru

Equipment powered by fossil fuels, such as LPG and diesel, were converted to natural gas.

Use of Biomass for Steam Generation in Três Marias

Use of Biomass for Steam Generation in Três Marias

The boilers that used petroleum-derived oil to generate steam were replaced by new ones powered by biomass from eucalyptus chips.

Hydrogen Injection in Automotive Machines

Hydrogen Injection in Automotive Machines

In Brazil, we are carrying out tests on zinc concentrate transportation trucks, on loaders at the Morro Agudo mine and, in Peru, on a third-party fleet that transports concentrate from Cerro Lindo.

Learn more about Innovation and other projects and initiatives under development.

Our aspiration

To be one of the zinc producers with the lowest greenhouse gas emissions in the world, achieving the net zero target by 2050.

2030 Commitment (*)

  • Absolute reduction of scope 1 emissions by 20% (52 thousand tons of CO2 equivalent), keeping Nexa’s electrical energy matrix almost in its entirety composed of renewable sources.

2040 Commitment (**)

  • Reach neutrality of emissions by 2040.

2050 Commitment (**)

  • Reach net zero by 2050.

(*) The Aripuanã unit was not considered in the planning baseline of the goal presented, however it is included in the reduction commitment.

(**) Based on SBTi 2021 guidelines.

Check our indicators

Energy consumption within the organization
Correlated indicators
GRI Dimension:
Environmental 
GRI Code:
302-1
Sector SASB:
Mining and Metals
SASB Dimension:
Energy Management
SASB Code:
EM-MM-510a.1
SDG

 

Year Energy Consumption within the Organization (scope 1 and 2) - GJ

 

 % Renewable Sources
2019 15.157.046,86 82,66%
2020 15.836.223,23 81,90%
2021 16.145.844,23 81,22%
Energy consumption outside of the organization
Correlated indicators
GRI Dimension:
Environmental 
GRI Code:
302-2
Sector SASB:
Mining and Metals
SASB Dimension:
Energy Management
SASB Code:
EM-MM-510a.1
SDG

 

Year Energy Consumption outside the Organization (scope 3) - GJ

 

 % Renewable Sources
2019 651.168,16 0,25%
2020 2.038.201,47 3,48%
2021 746.340,21 5,81%
Energy intensity
Correlated indicators
GRI Dimension:
Environmental 
GRI Code:
302-3
Sector SASB:
Mining and Metals
SASB Dimension:
Energy Management
SASB Code:
EM-MM-510a.1
SDG

 

Year Energy Intensity - GJ/ton of Zinc and Zinc Oxide Sold
2019 14,75
2020 30,54
2021 27,3
Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions
Correlated indicators
GRI Dimension:
Environmental
GRI Code:
305-1
Sector SASB:
Mining and Metals
SASB Dimension:
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
SASB Code:
EM-MM-110 a.1
TCFD Code:
MMb
SDG
Direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (scope 1) (tons CO2 equivalent (tCO2e))
2019¹ 2020² 2021³
CO2 142.159,034 237.892,010 225.936,493
CH4 42.806,125 3.380,600 5.011,496
N2O 210,970 11.141,922 9.518,270
HFC 0,000 234,531 6.752,381
Total 185.176,130 252.649,062 247.218,640

 

Direct Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions (scope 1) (tons of gas)
2019¹ 2020² 2021³
CO2 143.024,364 237.892,010 225.936,493
CH4 2.038,387 135,244 178,982
N2O 0,708 37,389 35,918
HFC 0,000 0,106 2,053

 

¹ Operational Limits considered: Mobile combustion; Stationary combustion; Solid waste and liquid effluents

² Operational Limits Considered: Mobile combustion; Stationary combustion; Fugitive; Industrial processes; Agricultural activities; Solid waste and liquid effluents

³ Operational Limits considered: Mobile combustion; Stationary combustion; Fugitives; Industrial processes; Agricultural activities; Solid waste and liquid effluents, Land use change

Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions
Correlated indicators
GRI Dimension:
Environmental
GRI Code:
305-2
TCFD Code:
MMb
SDG

 

Indirect Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Energy Procurement (tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e))
2019¹ 2020² 2021³
CO2 114.853,316 434.465,936 555.516,928
CH4 0,000 0,000 —
N2O 0,000 0,000 —
HFC 0,000 0,000 —
Total 114.853,316 — —

 

Indirect Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from the acquisition of Energy (tons of gas)
2019¹ 2020² 2021³
CO2 114.853,316 434.465,936  555.516,928
CH4 0,000 0,000 —
N2O 0,000 0,000 —
HFC 0,000 0,000 —

 

¹ Indirect emissions from purchase of electricity - location approach

² Electricity purchase - location approach

3 Electricity purchase - location approach

Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions
Correlated indicators
GRI Dimension:
Environmental
GRI Code:
305-3
TCFD Code:
MMb
SDG

 

Other Indirect Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions (scope 3) (tons CO2 equivalent (tCO2e))
2019¹ 2020² 2021³
CO2 123.529,008 84.653,399 46.699,61
CH4 0,000 811,600 429,8
N2O 0,000 811,156 441,225
HFC 0,000 0,000 —
Total 123.529,008 — —

 

Other Indirect Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions (scope 3) (tons of gas)
2019¹ 2020² 2021³
CO2 123.529,008 84.653,399 46.699,61
CH4 0,000 32,464 15,35
N2O 0,000 2,733 1,665
HFC 0,000 0,000 —

 

¹ Operating Limits Considered: Transport and Distribution (upstream)

² Operational Limits Considered: Transport and distribution (upstream), Waste generated in operations, Effluents generated, Business travel, Employee displacement (home-work), Transport and distribution (downstream)

³ Operational Limits: Transport and distribution (upstream), Waste generated in the operations, Business travel, Employee displacement (home-work), Transport and distribution (downstream)

 

 

GHG emissions intensity
Correlated indicators
GRI Dimension:
Environmental
GRI Code:
305-4
TCFD Code:
MMb
SDG

 

GHG Emissions Intensity
2019 N/A
2020 1.32 tCO2e per ton of zinc and zinc oxide sold
2021 N/A

 

N/A: no data reported for the period.

Nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur oxides (SOX), and other significant air emissions
Correlated indicators
GRI Dimension:
Environmental
GRI Code:
305-7
Sector SASB:
Mining and Metals
SASB Dimension:
Air Quality
SASB Code:
EM-MM-120 a.1

 

Volume of significant air emissions (tons) 
2019 2020 2021
NOx 250  162 289
SOx 518 666 773
Carbon Monoxide (CO) N/A* N/A* 844
Lead (Pb) N/A* N/A* –
Mercury (Hg) N/A* N/A* –
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) – – –
Particulate Matter (PM) 1.150 759 952
Other standard categories of air emissions identified in regulations
 81 74 –

(*): data not collected for CO in 2019 and 2020 and not applicable for the operation for Pb and Hg.

Discussion of long-term and short-term strategy or plan to manage Scope 1 emissions
Correlated indicators
Sector SASB:
Mining and Metals
SASB Dimension:
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
SASB Code:
EM-MM-110a.2
SDG

Descarbonization Plan

To follow the carbon neutralization strategy, we have developed a decarbonization plan with a projection of emissions and reduction projects until 2030. We had the support of a consulting firm that carried out an analysis of current emissions, drew decarbonization scenarios, assisted in the definition of targets and in the economic evaluation of decarbonization alternatives. It was verified that the main focus of reduction are the scope 1 emissions, referring to fossil fuels, which represented 73% of scope 1 in 2020. As for scope 3, which started to count on the evaluation of five categories as of 2020, the best opportunity was to establish a goal for logistics suppliers. To date, 11 opportunities for decarbonization projects have been mapped, one of which is not yet included in the portfolio: purchase of proven renewable energy in Peru.

Our contribution to the SDGs

SDGs related to the topic:

 

In 2017, we signed a commitment to the global agenda consisting of 17 goals and 169 targets to be achieved by 2030.

 

SDGs related to the topic

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Read more about Nexa in the links below

Strategy

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Biodiversity and Land Use

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Use and Disposal of Water

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Circular Economy and Waste

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Dams Management

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Decommissioning

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