Richard King - Alcoa Investment Cast and Forged
Nominated by: Chris Kious and Herb Crowther
Richard King has worked for Alcoa for 25 years, the last three as Environmental Manager of the Alcoa Investment Cast and Forged Products division. Richard is passionate about sustainability and has been instrumental in leading this division to set ambitious stretch targets and helping to identify sustainability opportunities. Consistent with Alcoa’s Climate Change-related mission Richard is active in the community. Richard serves on the Ohio Manufacturing Association where he helps draft new air quality regulations and engages Ohio businesses state-wide to embrace sustainability efforts. He works with foreign dignitaries through the Council on World Affairs to convey Alcoa’s Vision 2020 internationally. Richard also serves on the Stationary Sources Working Group of Cleveland’s Clean Air Century Campaign which is dedicated to improving health in Northeast Ohio by reducing air toxics through sustainable community efforts.
Alcoa’s commitment to sustainability is as comprehensive as any business and Alcoa is a world leader in its energy and resource conservation accomplishments. Alcoa`s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target is to reduce Green House Gas emissions by 25 percent from 1990 levels by 2010, and by 50 percent from 1990 levels when their inert anode technology is fully commercialized. By 2004 Alcoa had already reduced GHG by 26.6%. Alcoa’s energy consumed per unit of output in 2000 decreased 37% since 1950 through improved process control and manufacturing cell design. Alcoa has $80 Million of energy efficiency projects underway and is pursuing education, advocacy, and legislative/regulatory solutions. Alcoa is committed to playing its part in an efficient and cost effective global response in cooperation with national governments and relevant international agencies.
Alcoa’s statement on Climate Change says that within Alcoa “we have the vision, the values, the strength, the technology, the people, the relationships, and the products to build a sustainable future. Aluminum — the core of our business — is one of the most useful, most easily recycled, most sustainable materials available in the world. Our opportunity comes from the expectations of our customers, and their customers, as they challenge Alcoa to help them create solutions for improving the quality of life worldwide. Partnerships are critical for us; we know that sustainability can`t be achieved by any organization in isolation. We continue to engage with and involve supporters and opponents within communities where we have a presence and jointly refine our ability to work together to achieve balance among economic, social, and environmental outcomes."
Alcoa is a worldwide company with more than 480 operating locations in 40 countries. The company is engaged in mining of bauxite, production of alumina and alumina based chemicals, smelting and fabrication of aluminum, forged products and powders, the production of aluminum and plastic packaging materials, automotive components and electrical distribution systems, and the production of high temperature components for turbines, and is a major electric power producer. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, Alcoa had revenues of US$20.3 billion in 2002 and employs 127,000 people worldwide.
Alcoa is a member of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change Business Environmental Leadership Council, a group of major companies that demonstrate leadership by establishing and meeting greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; investing in more efficient products, practices and technologies; and supporting domestic and international action to achieve cost-effective emissions reductions.
The Alcoa Investment Cast and Forged Products division which is headquartered In Cleveland is making great strides consistent with Alcoa’s Vision 2020. Local operations already having a 35% reduction is close to achieving their water2008 water conservation target of 60% reduction relative to the base year 2000. As of Q3 of 2005 they have achieved a 43% reduction in landfill relative to 2000 towards a 50% target by 2008, and are on track to achieve the corporate global target of 100% elimination of landfill deposits by 2015. They beat the corporate 2005 deadline in 2002 in achieving ISO 14001 certification, the “green” standard for implementing a structured management framework for comprehensive and integrated Environmental Management Systems.
