About the prize

In late 2003, Alcan adopted sustainability as the focus for its community investment supporting initiatives and projects that align with its commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability. The US$1M Alcan Prize for Sustainability was created as a flagship project within the overall community investment programme to showcase outstanding contributions to sustainability by not-for-profit, non-governmental and civil society organisations. IBLF was selected as the managing partners for the Prize for Sustainability to ensure objectivity and impartiality.

In 2007, Rio Tinto acquired Alcan and in doing so, adopted the US$1M Prize for Sustainability. The Prize is designed to recognise the importance of all sectors of society in working together to contribute towards society’s sustainable development. The Rio Tinto Prize for Sustainability, as it will be known from 1 January 2009, will complement Rio Tinto’s existing engagement programmes and initiatives during its nine-year life (2004-2013).