As Large Corporations Face Scrutiny for Indigenous Peoples’ Support, Nornickel Highlights its Efforts at COP28

In a time when large corporations are under increasing scrutiny for their impact on local and indigenous communities, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai provided a significant platform for companies to showcase their contributions. Nornickel, a leading figure in the mining industry, seized this opportunity to highlight its initiatives in supporting the indigenous peoples of Taimyr.

At the conference, Alexander Shaburkin, a representative from Norilsk Nickel, elaborated on the company’s ambitious plans for 2024. These plans include constructing cultural centers in three Taimyr villages, providing apartments for orphans, and setting up a workshop in Dudinka for processing deer meat and fish. These initiatives are part of Nornickel’s broader commitment to positively impact the communities where it operates.

In the past four years, Nornickel has notably improved living standards for the indigenous people of Taimyr. Its achievements encompass building rural houses, establishing medical centers, and creating a Visitor Center in Ust-Avam. The company’s dedication to technological advancement in education is manifested through equipping 11 remote Taimyr village schools with satellite connections and computer equipment, thus narrowing the digital divide.

Moreover, Nornickel’s contributions to the region include providing practical solutions for everyday life, such as supplying refrigeration units crucial for meat storage and transportation.

COP28, hosted by the United Arab Emirates, focuses on a broad range of issues including accelerating the energy transition, addressing climate finance, and emphasizing the significance of nature and people in climate dialogues. The conference brings together global leaders and corporations, underscoring the imperative for collective action in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Nornickel’s presentation at COP28 demonstrates a heightened consciousness among large corporations of their responsibility not only in environmental stewardship but also in nurturing the social and cultural aspects of the communities they influence. As the world confronts the challenges posed by climate change, the actions of companies like Nornickel may serve as a benchmark for corporate responsibility in supporting indigenous communities.