Alcoa Foundation Advancing Sustainability Research

Biochar and Energy from Trees

In Australia, Alcoa Foundation is supporting sustainable land use research led by Greening Australia and the University of Adelaide and CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences. The project focuses on harnessing the opportunity provided by emerging carbon markets and bioenergy to reforest a vast tract of land.

Carbon and Bioenergy Markets in Australia
Lightweight Vehicle Structures

In the United States, Alcoa Foundation is supporting research by The Ohio State University that will pave the future of transportation. The project is exploring innovative methods of joining metals and the manufacture and analysis of lightweight vehicle structures. This will lead to solutions that reduce vehicle weight and improve efficiency.

Lightweight Vehicle Structures in the United States
Water Management

In Russia, Alcoa Foundation is funding research on industrial wastewater management. The project focuses primarily on Samara, one of Russia's most important industrial cities, which lies at the confluence of the Volga and Samara rivers. The goal is to improve water management and cleaning techniques for polluted water.

Water Management in Russia
Environmental Economics

In Europe, Alcoa Foundation is funding research conducted by Economics for Energy and the University of Vigo (Spain) on the economics of global energy issues. The research produced will increase the information available to energy firms, regulators and consumers, allowing for more informed decision-making.

Environmental Economics in Europe
Life Cycle Assessment

In Canada, Alcoa Foundation is supporting research by the École Polytechnique de Montréal. The enhanced Life Cycle Impact Assessment tool École Polytechnique de Montréal is developing as part of this project will improve understanding of product life cycles.

Life Cycle Assessment in Canada
Multimedia

Watch short video clips about the Advancing Sustainability Research Initiative projects around the world and learn about the problems our researchers are tackling.

Multimedia

What is the Alcoa Foundation Advancing Sustainability Research initiative?

The program is a US $4 million, two-year research initiative that supports ground-breaking research worldwide. Participants in Alcoa Foundation Advancing Sustainability Research include thought leaders at universities, NGOs and research institutions, in cooperation with experts and volunteers from Alcoa’s offices around the world.

Learn more about the initiative

What will the program’s research initiatives focus on?

The program’s research initiatives will focus on: Improved environmental practices for local communities or corporations; Informed public policy decisions and standards; Innovative design utilizing lightweight materials; Advanced methods for lightweight materials research and cost-benefit analysis.

Learn more about the partners and research areas

About Alcoa Foundation

Alcoa Foundation is a nonprofit U.S. corporate foundation with assets of approximately US $420 million. In addition to addressing locally identified needs in communities where Alcoa operates, Alcoa Foundation is focused on unlocking solutions to critical environmental sustainability challenges, including global climate change. Alcoa Foundation has been a long-term partner in Alcoa communities worldwide for more than fifty years, investing over US $515 million since 1952.

Learn more about the Alcoa Foundation

Biochar Recovery

Play Biochar Video (3:19)
Download Transcript (185 KB, PDF)

See more videos about the initiative:
Multimedia

Urban Mobility and Sustainable Transportation Panel at VERGE 2012

Glenn Daehn (OSU), Susan Zielinski (U of M), and Matthew Brest (Alcoa) join Mike Robinson (General Motors) for a one-hour panel at the VERGE 2012 conference in Washington, DC. They will discuss applying a whole-system approach for more sustainable and innovative transportation options in new vehicle structures and advanced communication technologies. The session will explore the new business models related to the emerging global mobility industry.

View all events

In seven key regions around the world, partners selected with Alcoa regional leadership are working on 10 research initiatives aligned with Alcoa's sustainability priorities and areas of importance.

THIS PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED BY IIE

Connect with us

Biochar and Energy from Trees

Lightweight Vehicle Structures

Water Management

Environmental Economics

Life Cycle Assessment

Multimedia

What is the Alcoa Foundation Advancing Sustainability Research initiative?

What will the program’s research initiatives focus on?

About Alcoa Foundation

Urban Mobility and Sustainable Transportation Panel at VERGE 2012