GREENHOUSE GAS NEWS Alcan Beats Reduction Goals Worldwide

MONTREAL - ALCAN INC. has thanked is employees around the world for reducing total greenhouse gas emissions in 2001 and 2002 by an average of 1.25 million t, surpassing its original goal by over 1.0 million tonnes per year, including both direct and indirect emissions. European operations reduced emissions by improving efficiency; the emission of perfluorocarbons went down by 75%. The Kitimat Works in British Columbia reduced carbon dioxide emission by 5% and perfluorocarbons by 7%. Primary metal operations in Quebec cut 30% from its carbon dioxide and 58% from its perfluorocarbon emissions.

These reductions stem from Alcan's long-term emissions reduction program called TARGET, launched in 2001. Through this program, the company established an initial objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 500,000 t by the fourth year of the program. Alcan is at the forefront of this environmental issue by setting aggressive standards for itself.

Under Alcan's program, reduction goals for future periods are established on an ongoing basis. The reduction objective for 2005 will remain ambitious at 0.5% better than the projected 2003 performance, and is estimated at 125,000 t.

The results generated in the first two years of the TARGET program are due to both the company investing additional financial resources in reduction projects and the extraordinary efforts of Alcan employees. They have implemented numerous greenhouse gas reduction programs, such as improvements in process technology and the management of operational processes, as well as energy efficiency improvements across the company.

Alcan investors should contact Jo-Ann Longworth at 514-848-8346.