ABOUT
Sustainable Development
Goals
Why is copper so important? A greener, healthier and more sustainable future relies on the use of copper.
Much of ICA's work advances the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide a 15-year framework for addressing humanity's most critical issues. ICA's initiatives align with all 17 of the SDGs, and three of these SDGs closely match ICA's focus:
Learn more about ICA's commitment to the UN's SDGs:
Affordable and Clean Energy
Products containing copper tend to operate more efficiently because copper is the best nonprecious conductor of heat and electricity. By globally adopting Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in industrial equipment and residential appliances, $350 billion in economic activity could be created through reduced energy costs, and worldwide electricity consumption could decrease by 10 percent. Renewable sources provide nearly one-quarter of the world’s power, and copper plays a vital role in making it as efficient as possible, with minimal impact on the environment. Copper use helps reduce CO2 emissions and lowers the amount of energy needed to produce electricity.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Copper is already an important ingredient in our most innovative technologies, such as smart energy technology, aquaculture and electric cars, and its role in electromobility, energy efficiency and renewable energy is growing. Because of this, McKinsey has estimated a 43 percent potential increase in copper demand by 2035 versus today’s demand of 22 million tonnes.
Climate Action
On average, less than five tonnes of CO2 are emitted to produce one tonne of copper. However, because of copper’s inherent high efficiency in conductive applications, between 100 and 7,500 tons of CO2 emissions can be reduced—a mitigation factor of up to 1,500 to one. By 2030, copper could reduce the world’s carbon footprint by 16 percent.
Affordable and Clean Energy
Products containing copper tend to operate more efficiently because copper is the best nonprecious conductor of heat and electricity. By globally adopting Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in industrial equipment and residential appliances, $350 billion in economic activity could be created through reduced energy costs, and worldwide electricity consumption could decrease by 10 percent. Renewable sources provide nearly one-quarter of the world’s power, and copper plays a vital role in making it as efficient as possible, with minimal impact on the environment. Copper use helps reduce CO2 emissions and lowers the amount of energy needed to produce electricity.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Copper is already an important ingredient in our most innovative technologies, such as smart energy technology, aquaculture and electric cars, and its role in electromobility, energy efficiency and renewable energy is growing. Because of this, McKinsey has estimated a 43 percent potential increase in copper demand by 2035 versus today’s demand of 22 million tonnes.
Climate Action
On average, less than five tonnes of CO2 are emitted to produce one tonne of copper. However, because of copper’s inherent high efficiency in conductive applications, between 100 and 7,500 tons of CO2 emissions can be reduced—a mitigation factor of up to 1,500 to one. By 2030, copper could reduce the world’s carbon footprint by 16 percent.
Best Practices
For more information on how the International Copper Association, its members, and the copper industry support the UN’s SDGs or to learn more about the importance of copper and copper’s other sustainable-development benefits, check out our member stories.