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Jérôme Pécresse appointed head of Rio Tinto’s global aluminium activities

Rio Tinto has chosen Jérôme Pécresse to lead the decarbonization of its aluminum sector in Quebec, marking its commitment to reducing carbon emissions. The group is also investing $1.1 billion in the ecological expansion of its plant, underlining the growing importance of sustainability in the aluminum industry.

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Rio Tinto chooses Jérôme Pécresse to steer the decarbonization of its aluminum sector

Jérôme Pécresse to lead Rio Tinto’s transformation towards sustainable Quebec aluminum

Rio Tinto has appointed Jérôme Pécresse as General Manager of its Quebec-based aluminum operations, with responsibility for overseeing decarbonization. Mr Pécresse, 56, will take up his new post on October 23.
Its role will be to lead the decarbonization agenda for this sector, which is a major emitter of greenhouse gases. Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm praised his experience in renewable energy and the mining industry, calling him the ideal leader to shape a low-carbon future for Rio Tinto’s Aluminium group.
Mr. Pécresse was previously CEO of General Electric (GE) Renewable Energies. He also worked for the Imerys group, a producer of industrial minerals, and began his career at Credit Suisse First Boston. He is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées.

Rio Tinto invests $1.1 billion in green expansion of its Quebec aluminum smelter

Aluminium is Rio Tinto’s second largest business, employing 15,000 people in 7 countries. In June, the Group announced a $1.1 billion investment to expand and green its aluminum plant in Quebec, the first major aluminum production project in North America in a decade.

At the end of July, Rio Tinto acknowledged that it was unlikely to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets by 2025. However, the Group is committed to promoting decarbonization across its global operations with a view to achieving “carbon neutrality” by 2050.

Why does it matter?

Rio Tinto’s appointment of Jérôme Pécresse to lead decarbonization efforts in its aluminum sector reflects the company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions. As aluminum production is a major emitter of greenhouse gases, this initiative is of great importance in the context of sustainability and environmental concerns.

Rio Tinto’s investment in the greening of its aluminum smelter in Quebec is also indicative of a broader industry movement towards more environmentally-friendly practices.

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