Alcan Inc. to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 500,000 Tonnes over Four Years - The Aluminum and Packaging Company Unveils an Innovative Global Environmental Initiative
MONTREAL, Canada, Oct 9, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Reflecting Alcan's ongoing commitment to excel in all aspects of its business and building on its leadership in environmental initiatives, Alcan Inc.'s president and CEO, Travis Engen, today announced that Alcan will reduce the Company's greenhouse gas emissions by 500,000 tonnes in the next four years.
In an address today to the American Aluminum Association's conference on the future of the aluminum industry held in Asheville, North Carolina, Mr. Engen stated that Alcan's TARGET emissions reduction program will deliver concrete results, set a new and aggressive standard for other industry initiatives and place Alcan at the forefront of environmental issues.
"Our established leadership position in the aluminum and packaging industries must be reflected in our environmental commitments," said Mr. Engen. "The broad strokes of our emissions reduction program demonstrate a forward looking and global perspective on decreasing the amount of these gases we produce. But the real proof of Alcan's strength come through in the details of the program."
AMBITIOUS IN DESIGN, RIGOROUS IN IMPLEMENTATION
Alcan's TARGET Program stands out among similar emissions reduction initiatives by virtue of the following characteristics:
- An on-going commitment - Rather than limiting itself to a fixed time
frame, the TARGET Program is on-going and entrenched in Alcan's
business strategy. It is an integral part of Alcan's management
process.
- A rolling objective - From 2001 to 2004 the cumulative reduction target
has been set at 500,000 tonnes, and in each subsequent year, the
objective for the fourth year will be established, e.g. in 2002, the
objective for 2005 is set and so on.
- TARGET's recent baseline - Emission reduction objectives for this phase
of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions will be based, for TARGET, on the
most recent performance of the Company, even though Alcan's overall
emission profile includes reductions since 1990.
- A realistic business approach -The program's objective will be adjusted
to reflect changes in the Company's manufacturing and production
capacity.
- A comprehensive standard - The program will measure and account for all
our GHG emissions, including both direct and indirect sources.
IMPRESSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL TRACK RECORD
This program is the latest in a series of environmental initiatives implemented by Alcan. Other programs include, introducing low-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) pitch in its older smelters, developing process improvements that reduce anode effects, fuel switching to use natural gas in fabrication facilities, and improving product design and promoting increased aluminum recycling. As a result of its efforts the Company has achieved a real greenhouse gas emission reduction of over two million tonnes per year in the last decade.
Alcan's environmental initiatives have not focused solely on process improvements and emission reductions in plants and other stationary facilities. Groundbreaking work on the life cycle analysis (LCA) of aluminum's light weighting and energy saving benefits in transportation and other applications have identified potential emissions reductions while adding vital flexibility and design options, which will allow the Company to meet and surpass today's targets.
"We must remember the important contribution our products make to the reduction of GHG emissions. With this in mind, Alcan will strive increase consumer awareness of the environmental value generated through the use and recycling of our products as well as support public policy encouraging recycling," said Daniel Gagnier, Alcan's senior vice president of corporate and external affairs.
Alcan's TARGET Program was developed to ensure that the management of greenhouse gases is integrated into the Company's regular business practices and product applications. Other components of the program include: the promotion of best practice sharing, future reduction program development, a program of internal emissions banking, as well as general coordination in areas like target setting, benchmarking, auditing and progress reporting.
"Alcan has and will continue to be pro-active in its commitment to the environment. We have made sustainability an integral component of our business success. Just as we demand excellence in meeting our business and economic objectives, we will demand nothing less in meeting our environmental goals," added Mr. Engen.
Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum and specialty packaging with annual revenues of approximately US$13 billion. With world-class operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and specialty packaging, Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs 52,000 people and has operating facilities in 38 countries. |
