Launched on June 5, 2003 (World Environment Day) by Chairman and CEO of Alcoa Inc., Alain Belda, the Ten Million Trees program is part of the Company’s ambitious environmental project that aims to contribute to global sustainability. 

On this date, Belda planted the millionth tree in Poços de Caldas-MG, marking the close (five years early) of the One Million Trees program, an initiative that united the community and Alcoa’s employees, suppliers and customers, worldwide. 

Between 1998 and 2006, 704,023 saplings were planted by employees, customers, suppliers and visitors to the Company’s units in areas immediately surrounding Alcoa’s installations in Latin América and in public parks. This number corresponds to 33% of the target of 2.3 million to be achieved by 2020. Just in 2006, Alcoa Latin America planted 119,921 young trees for environmental compensation and maintenance of the landscape, a total that does not include reforestation and mined areas.

How it all began
In 1998, Alcoa Inc. created the One Million Trees program, with the aim of encouraging Alcoa employees to plant trees, either individually or in groups, and giving them the opportunity to do so; the program was scheduled to end within 10 years, in 2008. But the program achieved its goal and ended in 2003, five years earlier than the target date. Alcoa acts in a committed way; its actions are directed towards conserving the environment and it offers those who work for and with the company the chance of actively participating in promoting this important value: respect for the environment. 

The program offers environmental awareness-building and education, generates recognition in the community and with industry bodies, supplies healthy ornamental tees to those communities where the Company operates, awakens people to the importance of voluntary work and encourages participation by the community.