In 2022, to identify and assess relevant
transition risks and opportunities, Nornickel – in collaboration with
the Institute for Economic Forecasting of the Russian Academy
of Sciences – developed three proprietary long‑term scenarios for global economic
and climate development through 2050. The projected changes in global temperature
under these scenarios are consistent with the three IPCC scenarios (SSP1‑2.6,
SSP2‑4.5, and SSP5‑8.5), which the Company also uses for its assessment
of physical climate risks.
In 2024, the scenarios were updated
to reflect actual data for 2022–2023, the upward revision of projected
global GHG emissions across all scenarios, and the extension
of the projection period to 2060. The mix of vehicle fleets – one
of the key areas of application for the Company’s metals – has also
shifted: sales of battery electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles have increased, while
sales of internal combustion engine vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles
have declined.
The probability of the Rapid
Transition scenario was lowered from 25% to 20%. This revision reflects
a rise in global emissions of more than 2% over 2021–2023, which further
complicates the already challenging task of global economic decarbonisation.
The difficulty stems from: (a) the limited financial capacity
of the global economy to absorb the specialised costs involved; and (b)
the insufficient level of international collaboration and cooperation, which
are critically important to tackling global challenges such as climate
change. The probability of the Sustainable Palladium scenario was raised
to 75% as it aligns most closely with current trends. The probability
of the Global Growth scenario remains at a minimal level of 5%,
as the high economic growth rates required for this pathway
are currently considered unattainable.
TCFD Sa
Key characteristics of climate scenarios
Scenario
Rapid Transition
SSP1‑2.6
Sustainable Palladium
SSP2‑4.5
Global Growth
SSP5‑8.5
Strategic focus
Low‑carbon development
paradigm with the global community’s efforts focused
on the reduction of GHG emissions
Maintaining current
socioeconomic trends. Traditional industries remain centre stage
along with the green economy
Abandoning efforts
to curb climate change with further rapid economic growth
fuelled by hydrocarbons
Inflation
High
Moderate
Low
Resource/Energy intensity
Low
Moderate reduction
High
Climate regulation
Strict
Moderate
Insignificant
Carbon price
Strong growth
Moderate growth
At 2021 levels
Temperature change by 2060
+1.9 °C
+2.2 °C
+3 °C
Probability
20%
75%
5%
The underlying assumptions vary between climate
scenarios, with these differences directly linked to the Company’s product
portfolio. The Sustainable Palladium scenario is considered baseline;
it provides for traditional industries to remain centre stage along with
the growing green economy. For example, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles
will retain a large market share, contributing to robust demand for palladium
in the long run. The other two scenarios are used to stress‑test
the Company’s financial performance.
Nornickel has identified potential transition risks
and opportunities based on global economic and climate change scenarios, analysis
of proposed carbon regulation initiatives, market trends, and stakeholder expectations.
Identified transition risks and opportunities
TCFD Sa, IFRS S2 10a, IFRS S2 10b
Regulatory risks
Compliance with
carbon regulations in the Company’s export markets
Compliance with
national carbon regulations
Regulation‑related
opportunities
Use of ESG
financing tools
Sale of carbon
credits generated by climate projects
Technology risks
Failure
to achieve decarbonisation targets
due to lack of access to advanced
foreign low‑carbon technologies
Market risks
Restrained demand
for primary platinum group metals
due to declining sales of internal combustion
engine vehicles
Restrained demand
for primary nickel
due to the development and mass production
of new nickel‑free batteries
Restrained demand for primary metals due to increased recycling
Restrained demand
for primary metals due to increased
recyclingMarket opportunities
Higher demand
for primary nickel and copper, driven by transport
electrification, the expanding hybrid vehicle market,
and the growth of renewables
Growing demand
for primary platinum group metals
due to the use of platinum and palladium
in the hydrogen economy and of palladium
in vehicle hybridisation
Reputational risks
Increased protest
activity by non‑profit organisations and local
communities, including indigenouspeoples
of the North
To mitigate risks arising from the need
to comply with carbon regulations, the Company regularly monitors legislation both
in Russia and in its export markets.
The introduction of the CBAM
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.in the European Union does not pose
any risk to the Company in the short term, as non‑ferrous and
platinum group metals are not currently covered by the cross‑border carbon
tariff. The Company continues to monitor developments in carbon regulation
and to forecast the potential associated costs going forward.
In the long term, Nornickel relies
on its competitive advantage – one of the lowest product carbon
footprints in the industry.
The Company is also exploring opportunities
for trading carbon credits that may be generated through the implementation
of climate projects.