Climate Week NYC - International Copper Association

COPPER

GETS IT

DONE

The International Copper Association (ICA) and its members are committed to climate action. Copper is essential to many of the solutions needed to make an impact on climate change, including renewable energy, energy-efficient technologies and electric vehicles. The industry is working to ensure responsible production practices and development of the circular economy. Copper remains a fundamental building block of a greener future.

In our recent interview with Helen Clarkson, CEO of The Climate Group, she discussed the future of sustainable development and the need to scale up existing technologies and innovations to make a difference toward raw materials emissions.

Leading up to Climate Week NYC, ICA President, Anthony Lea, spoke with the Climate Group about the copper industry’s commitment to the U.N. Climate goals, the role of ICA’s global partnerships for implementing solutions and ICA members' actions to mitigate climate change.

A sustainable future depends on copper

Did you know?

Copper connects

The copper inside of 3.1 million recycled smartphones could be used to cover a second Statue of Liberty.

One tonne of copper powers 100,000 mobile phones and enables operations in 400 computers. Every time you call a loved one, check the phone, use the internet or send a text, copper makes it possible.

Copper is 100 percent recyclable and can be recycled over and over again without any loss of properties. Recycling electronics contributes to the circular economy. Globally, more than 30 percent of global copper demand is met with recycled copper.

By treating waste as a resource, urban mining—along with primary copper production—will supply the world with raw materials.

Copper powers renewable energy

Approximately 9,615 recycled Moscow Mule mugs is enough copper to create 1 wind turbine.

Because copper is a highly efficient conduit, it is used in renewable energy systems to generate power from solar, hydro, thermal and wind energy across the world.

Many renewable energy systems use 12 times more copper than traditional systems.

Renewable energy sources provide nearly one-quarter of the world’s power, and copper plays an important role in making it as efficient as possible with minimal impact on the environment.

Copper enables electrification

Recycled copper from three conventional cars contains the amount of copper needed to create one large-scale, electric powered delivery vehicle.

Electric vehicles (EVs) use two to three times more copper than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Copper’s inherent properties make it ideal for electric vehicles. Around 60 to 70 percent of copper in use today is used for conductivity applications (53 percent in electrical applications).

Copper can be found in essential parts of EVs, including the battery system, coils, windings, rotors and connectors. Copper coils in an EV’s motor convert electric energy to mechanical energy, while copper wire connects the electronics and battery packs.

Copper is a core component of EV electricity delivery, and more than a mile of copper wiring can be found in EV stators. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) require 183lbs/83kgs of copper.

Copper is essential to a modern world.

Learn more about copper’s contribution to a sustainable future.

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