All Alcan business groups encourage operational transparency through routine community activities such as open-house tours and informal presentations. Local initiatives include philanthropic investment, volunteer work, charity support and health and education programs. We consider community stakeholder engagement essential to our continuing efforts to maximize our value over time.

Our stakeholders
Partners are an essential aspect of our business. By working in collaboration with our stakeholders, we increase our understanding of the economic, environmental and social dimensions of our business decisions, and develop strategies that create value for all those affected by our choices.

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Innovation through Collaboration
In 1998, Alcan signed a breakthrough ten-year agreement with General Motors that ensures a secure supply of aluminum at a competitive cost - in addition to cooperative efforts in research, design and technology. A similar agreement was reached with Ford in 2000 after a decade-long relationship aimed at increasing the effective use of aluminum in production-line vehicles. These partnerships have resulted in a rapid growth of aluminum applications in conventional automobiles as well as the introduction of aluminum-intensive concept cars that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In Europe, Alcan provides extensive support to auto industry leaders Audi, DaimlerChrysler, BMW and the European operations of Ford and General Motors. Our partnership with Audi resulted in the development of the Audi A2 - the first mass-produced aluminum-intensive vehicle in the world. The A2 incorporates a high-tech aluminum space frame and aluminum body panels, shock-absorbing bumpers and side-impact beams, weighing in at a full 250 kg (550 lb.) lighter than if the car were built with traditional materials.

Partnering with Employees
Our success depends on having a highly skilled, committed, innovative and productive workforce. In today's competitive marketplace, we want to retain our best people. We do this by providing the appropriate tools to allow our employees to respond to challenges efficiently and effectively. This includes providing information, competitive remuneration, leadership, mentoring and training, all in a healthy and safe environment.





Reaching out to Communities
Just as our operations in populated areas are closely associated with their communities, so too are our sites that are based in more remote locations such as those in our Bauxite, Alumina and Specialty Chemicals Group and our Primary Metal Group. These facilities employ a significant percentage of the immediate community and purchase extensively from local suppliers in support of our operations.

We promote extensive formal dialogue in these locations and we have at least nine formal stakeholder councils in six of the nine countries represented by these operations. These include Neighbour Relations Committees in Quebec, Canada, Community Liaison Groups in the United Kingdom and the Coordination Committee in Ely, Australia.

In Canada and Australia, these dialogues have resulted in protocols of mutual respect and economic development cooperation. This includes representation of native people in our decision-making processes with respect to land and waterway management as well as community and quality-of-life enhancement. Another good illustration of this dialogue is Alcan's relationship with The Nechako Watershed Council in British Columbia, Canada.

Building Public Awareness
Polling and focus groups are valuable supplements to assist with stakeholder consultations. Alcan samples public opinion in 17 countries where it operates and uses the information to respond more effectively to public concerns.

For example, in an Alcan-sponsored global poll on the aluminum industry, we found that 48% believe the industry operates in a socially responsible way, while some 34% of the respondents were unable to comment. In response to this finding, we believe that our industry must be more proactive in building awareness of its sustainable actions and that our initiative in publishing this Corporate Sustainability Report is just one example of how we can accomplish this goal.

Broad External Stakeholder Engagement:
The Global Mining Initiative (GMI) and the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) Project

In addition to the stakeholder engagement employed across the Company at the community and regional level, Alcan is active in numerous external forums with many stakeholders and organizations on a wide range of issues.

The GMI and MMSD initiatives have provided Alcan with an international opportunity to collaboratively explore a range of sustainability issues with other companies and stakeholders, and benefit from leading-edge thinking.

We will continue, through both established and impromptu initiatives, to engage and involve our stakeholders and work with leading organizations to explore key issues and develop a better understanding of sustainability at Alcan.