Sustainability Strategic Intent - Alcoa

It doesn't take much research to appreciate Alcoa's commitment to sustainability. Alcoa is at the forefront of a corporate initiative towards sustainability and environmental stewardship. This is not to say that Alcoa's industrial processes are good for the environment or benefit our biosphere, but at least they recognize that industry as a whole is headed in the wrong direction and are focusing on immediate pollution reduction as well as future processes and legislation. Alcoa CEO Alain Belda was quoted as saying, "Each year that we delay action to control emissions increases the risk of unavoidable consequences that could necessitate even steeper reductions in the future, at potentially greater economic cost and social disruption."

Alcoa published their 2020 Strategic Framework for Sustainability, which includes measurable long term goals for them to accomplish by 2020. Periodic reporting and measurement tracks the company's progress towards these goals, and the framework has recently been opened up to their stakeholders for review and feedback. Alcoa has already realized drastic reductions in the production of greenhouse gases, mercury emissions, VOCs, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. They recently finished construction on a smelter that runs on 100% hydroelectric. They have committed to create innovative technologies to reduce material input and wastes in production, and to develop end-of-life strategies for closed facilities that otherwise would have been "fenced and forgotten". As recent recognition, Alcoa was named one of the most sustainable companies at the World Economic Forum in 2005 an 2006, and was recognized as a top green company by Business Week for their greenhouse reductions to date.

Alcoa is not only managing its own sustainability, but is leading the charge across the globe. They are a founding member of the brand new US Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), along with companies like BP America, Duke Energy, DuPont, GE, the NRDC, the WRI, and other NGOs. The group wants to send a clear message to lawmakers that legislative action is an urgent requirement; by creating mandatory regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, creating a "cap and trade" market for greenhouse gases, and encouraging other countries to take action.