Clinton announces carbon-neutral plan

Secretary of state promises USA Pavilion will be as energy clean as possible

At the USA Pavilion recently, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced an Alcoa Foundation-sponsored initiative to offset the pavilion's carbon footprint.

Alcoa Foundation is contributing to the Expo 2010 Shanghai theme of a "Better City, Better Life" by partnering with the USA Pavilion on its environmental sustainability strategy to be carbon-neutral throughout the event.

"This USA Pavilion embodies qualities that make America a vibrant and prosperous nation: innovation, sustainability, diversity and the free exchange of ideas." Clinton said.

As part of its commitment to the sustainability initiative, Alcoa Foundation will fund an independent, thorough, verifiable carbon footprint study to be conducted by ICF International, a leading US climate change, energy and environment consultancy.

The footprint will cover the GHG emissions for the six-month duration of the Expo, with interim results to be reported at the close of the Expo and a final report with the operational carbon footprint and offset strategy to be provided after its conclusion.

At a minimum, the carbon footprint will quantify all direct GHG emissions ("scope 1" emissions) and emissions from the generation of purchased electricity ("scope 2" emissions), associated with the six-month operation of the pavilion.

The carbon footprint will then be offset through carbon credit purchases that meet the highest international standards, and may include other clean energy and GHG reduction activities that will take place in Chinese communities and demonstrate the USA Pavilion's "sustainability" theme.

Jinya Chen, president, Alcoa Asia and Pacific Region, said: "At Alcoa, we believe our sustainability endeavors make us a better company, which in turn, makes us a company of choice for governments and communities.

The USA Pavilion's sustainability approach, with the support of the Alcoa Foundation, will result in positive environmental and community-building benefits for China."

Funding of the carbon footprint study is one prong to Alcoa Foundation's sustainability focus during the Shanghai Expo.

Plans are underway for a clean energy financing initiative with the World Resource Institute, and Alcoa recently launched environmental awareness and aluminum recycling programs for teachers and students throughout China.

These are two of many community engagement activities Alcoa China has recently undertaken.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/28/2010 page38)