11.05.2007 - 09:43am ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK - November 5, 2007 - 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.

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoa(R) wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, structures and building systems. The company has 116,000 employees in 44 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com

About Conservation International

Conservation International (CI) was founded in 1987 with the aim of conserving the natural wealth of the planet - our global biodiversity and showing that human society is capable of living in harmony with nature. As a global non-governmental organization, CI operates in more than 40 countries on four continents. The organization uses a variety of scientific, economic and environmental tools, in addition to strategies that help in the identification of alternatives that do not harm the environment. Conservation International has its headquarters in the United States in Arlington, Virginia. For further information about CI's programs, visit www.conservation.org

About Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on the outskirts of London, is home to the world's largest and most diverse collection of living plants, opening its gates to over 1.5 million visitors a year. In July 2003 it was declared a World Heritage Site. Behind the scenes are internationally important collections of plant specimens, and modern scientific laboratories that inform conservation work throughout the world. Kew's scientific expertise is based on a 250 year foundation of historical plant knowledge, with over 200 scientists and a further 200 horticulturalists, working in Kew's scientific institutions and living collections. Amongst it's institutions are the Herbarium, with it's 7.5 million plant specimens, the basis for identifying all plants known to man, the Jodrell Laboratories, studying the basis of life through DNA and Microbiology; and the state of the art, Millennium Seed bank, a global insurance policy, collecting the world's largest collection of seeds, recently banking it's billionth seed. Kew Gardens performs a vital international advisory role on biodiversity issues. Its mission to 'inspire and deliver science-based plant conservation world-wide, enhancing the quality of life'. Contact: www.kew.org