This Global Life Cycle Inventory Data for the Primary Aluminium Industry report is an update for data year 2010, following similar reports for 2000 and 2005. It has been prepared with an objective to collect all significant life cycle inventory (LCI) data (raw materials and energy use, emissions to air and water and solid waste generated) on primary aluminium ingot production from bauxite ore at the global level. This 2010 report is the reference material for aluminium environmental assessments and its use is to be considered as mandatory for life cycle practitioners.

This chapter of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories gives guidance for estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the production of metals. Specifically, it covers emissions from the production of iron and steel and metallurgical coke, ferroalloy, aluminium, magnesium, lead and zinc. It asks for special care in the estimation to avoid double counting or omitting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fuel combustion. It also highlights that CO2 capture and storage is not covered in this chapter.

This report provides guidance on how countries should estimate and report to the UNFCCC their PFC emissions from the primary aluminium production process, which is the largest anthropogenic source of emissions of two PFCs: CF4 and C2F6. Emissions of CF4 and C2F6, therefore, vary significantly from one aluminium smelter to the next, depending on pot technology and operating procedures. The IPCC guidelines recommend multiplying aluminium production by CF4 emission factor and C2F6 emission factor.