Nornickel’s sustainability governance approach follows a matrix model, in which responsibility for specific environmental, social, and governance (ESG) areas is integrated into the operations of all functions and distributed across the organisation. Key decisions and oversight on most matters rest with the Management Board, the Board of Directors, and their dedicated committees.
Sustainability‑related processes are coordinated by the Sustainable Development Department, led by the Vice President for Ecology and Industrial Safety. At the Board level, the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Committee is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of environmental and social initiatives.
To enhance production efficiency and address external challenges, the Company implemented a number of HR and organisational changes in its governance structure in 2024.
Sustainability governance structure
Sustainability principles are integrated into the Company’s operations and strategic planning, as outlined in Nornickel’s internal regulations.
In 2024, Nornickel’s Board of Directors approved an updatedEnvironmental and Climate Change Strategy along with the Key Focus Areas of Carbon Neutralityto minimise environmental impact, manage climate‑related risks, and advance the Company towards carbon‑neutral production. To deliver on these ambitions, the Company developed programmes comprising over 150 specific initiatives, with projected costs for the 2023–2031 period estimated at more thanRUB500billion.
At the same time, implementation of the Socially Sustainable Development Strategy, adopted in 2023, continued. The Company places particular emphasis on maintaining decent pay, creating comfortable living conditions, and providing opportunities for employee self‑fulfilment and development. In addition, Nornickel continues to strengthen its partnerships with the indigenous peoples of the Taimyr and Kola Peninsulas, supporting their culture, traditions, and way of life.
Achievements and priorities
Environmental protection and climate change
Social responsibility
Corporate governance
Key achievements
Launch of the second process line at Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant and verification of the Sulphur Project’s effectiveness
Lowest CO2 emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) among global metals and mining peers
Launch of the air quality monitoring system in Norilsk
Issuance of carbon credits generated by the Company’s climate project
Reputation as a socially responsible business (annual pay increases, talent development, attraction of young talent, and the extension of the collective bargaining agreement until 2027)
Comprehensive support for local communities and national projects
Long track record of supporting indigenous peoples; pioneering the process to obtain their free, prior, and informed consent to projects
Changing the management model to improve efficiency
Developing the risk management system
Integrating ESG targets into management KPIs
Balanced and effective Board of Directors
Widespread application of cutting-edge technologies
Cooperation agreements with Russian software developers
Strategic priorities
Achieving the key SO2 reduction milestones for the Norilsk Industrial District
Cleaning up legacy waste and remediating the environment following environmental incidents in Norilsk
Assessing biodiversity impact and building a science-based case for a biodiversity conservation programme
Further developing a framework for managing physical risks across the Company’s footprint
Supporting environmental initiatives across the Company’s footprint
Zero work-related fatalities
Employee health and safety
Preventing social risks related to the Company’s operations
Attracting young talent and experienced professionals and reducing the turnover rate
Aligning living and working conditions with employee expectations
Reducing the impact of operations on indigenous peoples across the Company’s footprint
Refurbishing housing and social infrastructure in Norilsk
Further integrating sustainability principles into the Company’s corporate culture
Ensuring compliance with key Russian and international sustainability initiatives
Developing a framework for managing climate-related risks and opportunities
Building and scaling a responsible supply chain
Sustainability projects that received the most funding in 2024:
The Company actively integrates sustainability principles into its corporate culture. For example, in 2024:
Nornickel delineated the areas exposed to the environmental impact of its operations and studied the plant and animal species inhabiting the regions where it operates – the Taimyr and Kola Peninsulas as well as the Trans‑Baikal Territory
more than 24thousandpeoplecompleted a sustainability training course at the Nornickel Academy, and new courses on responsible supply chains and human rights were launched
stakeholder engagement plans for 2024 were developed and published at the divisional level
an assessment of sustainability practices was conducted among a sample of Nornickel suppliers, with twice as many suppliers participating compared to 2023The results of the assessment are disclosed in detail in the Company’s 2024Responsible Supply Chain Report.
Nornickel received a number of awards for sustainability: three Responsible Business Leadership awards and recognition in theBest ESG Projects in Russia competition.
The Company continues to actively participate in both Russian and international sustainability events. In 2024, Nornickel presented its innovative projects and environmental and social initiatives at various forums.
In 2024, Krasnoyarsk hosted the forth Siberian Perspective sustainability summit, organised by Nornickel with support from the National Council on Corporate Volunteering, the Russian Managers Association, and the Protected Areas Embassy charitable foundation. The summit focused on the ecology of Siberian cities as a key factor in regional development and quality of life improvement. More than 200 participants – including representatives from businesses, government authorities, expert communities, volunteers, and Nornickel suppliers – discussed collaborative efforts among municipalities, businesses, and community stakeholders to enhance the urban environment, with a particular emphasis on its ecological aspects. The event highlighted Nornickel’s commitment to sustainability principles and its ambition to improve local environmental conditions across the Company’s footprint.
In 2025, Nornickel will continue advancing initiatives aimed at aligning its activities with national objectives and the requirements of leading international standards and guidelines. Plans include further integration of ESG principles into strategic planning, risk management, and reporting procedures, as well as the continued development and enhancement of the Company’s human rights due diligence system.
Stakeholder engagement
Nornickel is committed to fostering continuous dialogue with its stakeholders. To achieve this, the Company uses various communication channels to take into account stakeholder interests and expectations, placing particular emphasis on feedback. It also monitors the actual and potential negative impacts of its operations, actively seeking to minimise them. To keep all stakeholders well informed, annual reports are published in accordance with international and national standards and guidance, and external assurance is used for the Company’s Sustainability Report.
To increase transparency and raise stakeholder awareness, Nornickel actively employs multiple communication channels to advance its ESG agenda, effectively reaching all target audiences. Digital tools are used to measure audience engagement, identify the most relevant topics, and adjust next steps in promoting the ESG agenda accordingly, as well as to collect feedback. The Company uses the most popular information channels among stakeholders, including its official website, Telegram channel, social media groups, local, regional, and federal media, and its corporate social network.
Key stakeholder groups: employees; government authorities; rating providers; shareholders, brokers, and analysts; customers and suppliers; local communities and NGOs.
Nornickel annually initiates large‑scale research expeditions involving Russian scientists, local historians, and nature reserve personnel. These studies result in a comprehensive assessment of the local environmental conditions in the Arctic regions. They contribute to modern scientific knowledge of the Russian Arctic for scientific databanks, support new scientific discoveries, and allow for the testing of latest research methodologies. In the first quarter of 2024, Nornickel supported a major artistic and educational initiative titled Explorer and Artist: Art on Expeditions, held in Zaryadye Park in Moscow. The project marked the completion of the second year of the Big Scientific Expedition, a collaborative effort between Nornickel and the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dedicated to the study of the Russian Arctic, the project represented the first systematic attempt to reinvent scientific research in the Polar region – which hosts Nornickel’s operations – through a cultural lens and artistic expression. The project culminated in a joint exhibition by Zaryadye Park, the State Darwin Museum, and the Stroganov Russian State University of Design and Applied Arts, with the support of Nornickel. This initiative offered a broad overview of the region’s centuries‑long history, highlighted the significance of climate change in the Arctic, and provided a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between nature, humanity, and technology.
The March 2024 agreement between Nornickel and ROSATOM on the supply of next‑generation radioisotope instruments marked another step in strengthening their partnership. Earlier, the two companies agreed to explore the potential for small‑scale nuclear power to supply Norilsk’s energy needs and are also collaborating on the development of Russia’s largest lithium production facility in the Murmansk Region. The deployment of these next‑generation instruments will significantly improve the precision and speed of production processes as well as enhance control over key operational parameters – all while driving a high level of automation and efficiency.
To further deepen the mutually beneficial, long‑term partnership between the Company and the region, Nornickel signed an agreement with the Trans‑Baikal Territory in November 2024. The agreement, effective until 2029, provides for the consolidation and coordination of collaborative efforts to support the sustainable social and economic development of the Trans‑Baikal Territory and Nornickel’s assets operating within the region. Under this agreement, the Trans‑Baikal Territory plans to maintain its focus on fostering a favourable investment climate and supporting infrastructure‑related investment projects, while Nornickel intends to actively develop its Trans‑Baikal Division and is considering expanding production.
Sustainability management KPIs
ISO standards
Standards
ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental management systems
ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management systems
ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational health and safety
ISO/IEC 27001:2013 – Information security management systems
The Company is implementing a compliance roadmapIn 2022, cooperation with Russian companies was suspended. Ratings on Russian companies were suspended in February 2025.
