 |
|
|
|
|
|
Select a country, a year, or both from the menu below to view other progress reports.
|
|
Brazil
- 2001
Alcoa in Brazil
|
|
|
Alcoa's Commitment
Dam projects, like any other form of human development, require input from all affected stakeholders and careful consideration and management if they are to deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits that significantly exceed the cost of development, social change, and the changes they may cause in the environment. This inclusive and best-practice-based approach is consistent with Alcoa's Vision and Values, which form the basis for our operations worldwide.
Government Strategy
The Brazilian federal government has developed a long-term overarching strategy for hydroelectric development in that country in accordance with the government's projected needs for energy and economic development. That strategy is reinforced by a commitment to strict environmental protection goals embodied in the laws enacted in the mid-1980s.
Individual projects are then considered, based on the national strategy, and judged by whether they can be shown to protect the environment, create long-term economic value, and support the social expectations of all the stakeholders.
We believe that this is a sound process that is fully transparent and involves all the different stakeholders in the final decision-making. The process is aligned with Alcoa's Values and Environmental Strategy, which supports sustainable development as well as full compliance with all the requirements of the host country laws and our own Values and standards for all the stages of the project.
In its Brazil case study, the independent World Commission on Dams said the following:
-"Environmental legislation in effect in Brazil since 1986 requires the approval of prior environmental studies for licensing new large-scale hydroelectric plants."
-"The final decision on licensing is taken by the State Environmental Agencies only after public hearings are held with various segments of society, in order to discuss the conclusions of the studies."
-"The current Brazilian environmental law is considered among the most complete in the world, consisting of standards regulating the use of environmental assets and activities that may effect them, as well as standards that introduce environmental protection tools..."
Alcoa shares this independent assessment of the current Brazilian process.
Essential Power
Hydropower is a source of clean energy generation. Use of hydropower can dramatically reduce the types of emissions that are a major factor in climate change. The National Hydropower Association estimates that hydroelectric generation avoided 77 million metric tons of carbon from being emitted from fossil fuel generation in 1999. That is equivalent to burning an additional 121 million tons of coal, plus 27 million barrels of oil, and 741 billion cubic feet of natural gas combined.
Put another way, the carbon emissions avoided by hydroelectric generation is the equivalent to removing 62.2 million passenger cars—nearly 50%—from the road in a year. Other pollutants avoided by the generation of hydropower in 1999 included 1.6 million tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and 1 million tons of nitrogen oxides, both of which can contribute to the formation of acid rain in susceptible areas.
Alcoa also believes that well-designed and operated hydroelectric projects represent an important way for Brazil and its regions to develop the energy needed for an economy that provides opportunities and improved quality of life for the country's citizens.
Alcoa's Participation
In Brazil, the Federal Government (Agencia Nacional de Energia Eletrica—ANEEL) establishes the location and characteristics of hydropower projects. ANEEL takes into account an extensive number of factors that include the country's present and future energy needs, environmental and social aspects, and technical and economic feasibility. When that work has been completed, Alcoa selects a hydropower project among the existing opportunities.
Alcoa is dedicated to helping develop some available options for cleaner power generation. We have been participating, as a minor partner, in the development of projects that extensive and comprehensive studies show to be environmentally sound, socially responsible, and economically feasible.
Related Sites
Machadinho Dam Project
This Brazilian website explains the process now governing the development of hydropower projects in which Alcoa in Brazil participates.
 Related Site
|
|
|
|
|
|
