We have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 36% since 1990.
We reached this goal seven years ahead of our target date—2010—mainly through aggressive reduction of PFC emissions. Since 2003 we have further reduced emissions to 36% over 1990 levels.
 For more detailed emissions data, see our latest Sustainability Report
We are using energy more efficiently
Alcoa teamed with the United States Department of Energy (DOE) in 1999 to identify and act upon energy reduction opportunities in key Alcoa plants in the US. That relationship triggered a series of audits and energy saving measures in Alcoa facilities that, by May 2004, had reduced nitrogen oxide emissions by 770 metric tons per year (mtpy), sulphur dioxide emissions by 1,600 mtpy, and carbon dioxide emissions by 420,000 mtpy. The energy efficiencies that came from this program also reduced Alcoa operating costs by $15 million, part of a planned $40 million savings in U.S. facilities. In addition, the best practices developed by this project are being rolled out to Alcoa facilities elsewhere in the world.
Download the DOE case study on Alcoa energy savings (PDF)
We are investing in green power
Alcoa, as a charter member of the U.S.-based Green Power Market Development Group, has been a key player in developing the market for renewable energy certificates (RECs), a new form of contract for renewable energy. In 2004, Alcoa and eight other companies participated in a record-breaking REC transaction that included agreements with U.S. wind, landfill gas, and biomass generators to purchase more than 265 million kWh/year of renewable electricity—enough electricity to power 24,000 homes. RECs are becoming an increasingly attractive renewable energy product for companies interested in reducing the environmental impact of their business activities. Alcoa purchased enough RECs to effectively power four of its corporate centers in the United States. These facilities are now effectively operating on electricity generated by projects that produce electricity from landfill gas, avoiding the emissions of more than 6.3 million kilograms (13.9 million pounds) of carbon dioxide annually.
Download a presentation on RECs (PDF)
Download GPDC goals for 2006 (PDF)
We're looking for ways to reduce greenhouse emissions from other sources of fossil fuel consumption as well to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions. At Alcoa's Tennessee Operations over 550 pieces of industrial mobile equipment such as trucks, fork lifts, and tractors use B20 biodiesel, an alternative fuel that includes 20% soy oil or other non-petroleum ingredients. Biodiesel is also used at Alcoa's Davenport Works and is being tested at other facilities.
Read more about biodiesel at Alcoa
And we're making our hydropower projects even more sustainable through new technology and resource management practices. The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has certified our Tapoco hydroelectric project in Tennessee as an environmentally responsible, low-impact project that meets and exceeds the most stringent operating requirements.
Read more about the Tapoco project's LIHI certification
Download list of LIHI certified projects
We're supporting community action
Through a range of global and local outreach programs such as Ten Million Trees, Earthwatch, and Alcoa Foundation’s flagship Conservation and Sustainability Fellowship Program, Alcoa has been at the forefront of community projects that address critical sustainability issues for decades. To support and enhance this focus, Alcoa Foundation has funded a portfolio of climate change projects and entered into partnerships with a range of community organizations and NGO’s to respond to this critical issue. In the last three years (2006-2008) Alcoa Foundation has invested more than $22 million in climate change related projects to inform public policy, build capacity, raise awareness and mobilize action. Additionally, since late 2005, Alcoa Foundation’s flagship $9.2 million Conservation & Sustainability Fellowship Program has been unlocking answers to the most challenging sustainability issues facing the world today - climate change, energy use, water management, accelerated growth and development in all corners of the globe. “Alcoa Foundation’s mission is to be responsive to the needs of the communities in which Alcoa has a presence,” said Meg McDonald, President of Alcoa Foundation. “Currently, there is increased focus by these communities and our stakeholders on understanding climate change, its impacts and implications and how they can begin to take action. In response, Alcoa Foundation has partnered a range of organizations working in this area around the world to support public policy development; facilitate community action and mobilize individual response.”
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We are building a cleaner future.
Our 346,000 mtpy smelter in Iceland, completed in 2007, is our first all-new plant in 20 years and represents the culmination of decades of learning in the field of sustainable smelter design. It runs on 100% hydropower, an abundant and renewable resource in Iceland, and is built to comply with some of the most stringent environmental regulations in the world. While not every new smelter we build over the next decade will be hydro powered, the Iceland project serves as a benchmark of sustainability best practices for future projects.
More about the Iceland project
...and we're planting trees
Launched on Earth Day in June 2003, Alcoa's Ten Million Trees program counts and recognizes the trees personally planted by Alcoa employees worldwide. These trees are planted in addition to those used in revegetation programs that Alcoa routinely undertakes as part of its mine rehabilitation programs. Ten Million Trees is open to all employees, contractors, suppliers, and their families so that 10 million new trees, which can absorb more than 250,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year during their lifetime, can be in place by 2020.
Read more about Ten Million Trees
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Alcoa Sets Goal to Raise North American Aluminum Beverage Can Recycling Rate from 52% to 75% by 2015
PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today that it has established a goal to raise the industry’s used beverage can (UBC) recycling rate in North America from its current 52% rate to 75% by 2015.
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Alcoa Takes Action on Climate Change; Becomes Founding Reporter of The Climate Registry
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today that it has become a Founding Reporter on The Climate Change Registry, a non-profit organization that measures and publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in a common, accurate and transparent manner consistent across industry sectors and borders. Alcoa is among the first companies to join the organization.
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We're taking a stand
As a founding member of USCAP, Alcoa has joined other industry leaders and NGOs to advocate US laws and practices that slow, stop and reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions over the shortest period of time reasonably achieved.
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Make an Impact
In a first for Australian industry, Alcoa and Greening Australia have partnered to develop a greenhouse footprint reduction program for the families of Alcoa employees and their immediate communities.
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Alcoa Applauds U.S. House of Representatives for Passage of New Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standards
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today it applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing new vehicle fuel efficiency standards incorporated in the energy bill. The bill would require 35 miles per gallon fuel average for new domestic vehicles, including SUVs, by 2020—a 40 percent increase from current corporate average fuel-economy (CAFE) standards.
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Alcoa Fastening Systems Donates $25,000 in support of University of Michigan's Solar Car Project
TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa Fastening Systems (AFS) is continuing its gold-level sponsorship and support of the award-winning University of Michigan Solar Car Team that has won 4 national championships in the last 10 years.
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Alcoa Launches Innovative 'Carbon Capture' Technology for Alumina Refineries
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today that it has launched a new technology at its Kwinana alumina refinery in Western Australia that has the potential to deliver significant global greenhouse benefits and will contribute to a reduction in the aluminum industry’s environmental footprint.
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Australia perspective
Cogeneration Power Plant Commissioned for Alcoa Refineries
The first of four gas-fired ‘cogeneration’ power plants being built by Alinta at Alcoa refineries in Western Australia was formally commissioned today, setting the scene for improved energy efficiency and substantial savings in greenhouse emissions.
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