Alcan CEO calls on Canada to act on climate change today

    MONTREAL, Feb. 19 /CNW Telbec/ - Dick Evans, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Alcan Inc., called on Canada to act on climate change in
his luncheon remarks to members and distinguished guests of the Canadian Club
of Montreal.
    "I believe climate change is the critical issue facing the sustainable
future of Canada and the future prosperity of its people; the real question is
not 'can it be solved', but 'when and who will pay for the solution?'" said
Mr. Evans in his address. "There needs to be a fundamental change in
behaviour, embracing the economic, social, and environmental benefits of
addressing climate change today with real actions," he added.
    "In my opinion, GHG abatement is the ultimate 'free rider' issue. It pits
strong narrow short-term economic interests favouring inaction against broader
but longer-term collective interests for creating a cleaner, more prosperous
future," said Mr. Evans.
    In his address, Mr. Evans called on leaders in the public and private
sectors to show the way:

    - By creating incentives in our daily lives that will encourage long-term
      behaviour changes, toward recycling materials, saving energy through
      more efficient insulation and lighting, and the broader use of more
      efficient transportation systems;

    - By developing and implementing effective market-based trading
      mechanisms, economic instruments and full-cost pricing as part of an
      integrated regime of regulation, standards, fiscal incentives and
      policy on climate change;

    - By investing in conservation and renewable sources of energy, such as
      hydro, solar, and wind to reduce the dependency on conventional sources
      of fuel; and

    - By accelerating technology development for the implementation of carbon
      capture and storage processes.

    "If consumers, are encouraged today - through sound economic incentives -
to make choices that will reduce their GHG footprint, we will be helping shape
a sustainable future for this country," said Mr. Evans.
    "Alcan is already actively developing and implementing climate change
solutions, through its leading technologies, processes and innovative
products, that promote its own sustainable growth and that of the communities
and environments in which it operates around the world," Mr. Evans continued.
    Between 1990 and 2005, Alcan's total GHG emission intensity was reduced
by 25 percent. This achievement was realized largely through the development
and investment in more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly
technologies, such as the Company's proprietary Aluminium Pechiney (AP)
smelting technology. In December 2006, Alcan announced that it plans to build
a US$550 million pilot facility in Canada to develop the most advanced AP
technology platform, AP50, based entirely on clean, renewable
hydroelectricity.
    "Today, Alcan is announcing a commitment for a further 10 percent
reduction in direct C02 equivalent emissions intensity from 2006 to 2010,"
said Mr. Evans.
    Alcan was recently included as one of only five Canadian companies on the
annual Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list. Announced
at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the list has featured Alcan for three
consecutive years.
    In November 2005, Alcan led a call to action on climate change and
energy, known as the Executive Forum on Climate Change, with other leading
Canadian companies ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference
(UNCCC) in Montreal. The Forum urged Canadian governments to develop a
sustainable climate change strategy to 2050, with clear markers along the way,
to assure strong economic growth, allow the discovery of long-term value for
carbon emission reductions and address the need for adaptation in the face of
climate change.

    Alcan Inc. (NYSE, TSX: AL) is a leading global materials company,
delivering high quality products and services worldwide. With world-class
technology and operations in bauxite mining, alumina processing, primary metal
smelting, power generation, aluminum fabrication, engineered solutions as well
as flexible and specialty packaging today's Alcan is well positioned to meet
and exceed its customers' needs. Alcan is represented by 65,000 employees in
61 countries and regions, and posted revenues of US$20.3 billion in 2005. The
Company has featured on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index consecutively
since 2003. For more information, please visit: www.alcan.com.
    For more information, including a copy of Mr. Evans' complete remarks,
please visit the "speeches" portion of Alcan's Media section at www.alcan.com.

    %B NM %C 2,3,12,15,32,38 %D Climate Change

For further information: Media Contact: Anik Michaud, (514) 848-8151,
anik.michaud@alcan.com; Investor Contact: Corey Copeland, (514) 848-8368,
investor.relations@alcan.com