Nov 5 2007
Alcoa announced today that it has strengthened its commitment to improving and maintaining high standards of environmental management, particularly in the conservation of biodiversity and plants by signing separate memorandum of understandings (MOU) with two world-renowned conservation institutions, the Conservation International Foundation and The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Alcoa has worked with Conservation International for many years. Most recently the organization has completed rapid assessment studies at Alcoa locations in Guinea, Suriname and Ghana, identifying 34 species new to science and other species of conservation concern that the company will need to take into account in project plans moving forward.
“Such independent research into possible developmental sites allows Alcoa to learn of potential concerns at the start of a project and enables possible impact mitigations to be evaluated reasonably in the light of scientifically based knowledge,” said Anita Roper, Director Sustainability for Alcoa. “The formalization of our relationship with Conservation International will allow the continuation of this relationship, and the development of further mutually beneficial approaches to biodiversity study.”
In signing the MOU with The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Alcoa is beginning a partnership with one of the world’s largest botanic gardens that delivers science-based plant conservation practices.
Alcoa has in place many initiatives to increase vegetative conservation. These include its Ten Million Tree Program, bauxite mining rehabilitation and re-vegetation, engineered wetlands and the establishment or re-establishment of native vegetation within its industrial buffer zone.
“Our partnership with Kew will serve to further all of these efforts, and the worldwide knowledge base of Kew will increase the success and cost effectiveness of these programs,” Roper stated.
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