Alcoa Employees Embark on 10th Annual Environmental Expeditions with Earthwatch Scientists in Brazil, Canada and China

Alcoa
Foundation announced today that 26 Alcoa (NYSE:AA) employees, have
been selected to participate in a unique professional development
opportunity with Earthwatch
Institute, an environmental organization whose mission is to promote
the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.
Through the 10-year partnership, nearly 150 Alcoa employees have
contributed around 9,000 research hours to find solutions to a range of
environmental and sustainability challenges.

For one week, the Alcoa Fellows will work alongside Earthwatch
scientists in Brazil, Canada and China, and participate in facilitated
learning sessions to expand their knowledge of how environmental issues
relate to their life, communities and Alcoa. Upon return, they are also
expected to create an action project to enhance the environment in their
local community.

'Earthwatch expeditions provide a unique experience for Alcoans from
around the world to work together with scientists on meaningful
environmental projects in our key regions and then bring their learnings
back to their colleagues and communities,? said Paula Davis, President,
Alcoa Foundation. 'Our partnership with Earthwatch Institute is a
compelling way to engage our people and advance our goals around the
environment and education.?

Meet
the 2012 Alcoa Earthwatch Fellows and starting August 12, follow
them through a blog on www.alcoa.com/earthwatch,
where they will post videos, photos and stories about their experiences.

'We′re proud to celebrate our ten-year anniversary of partnership with
Alcoa Foundation this year,? said Ed Wilson, CEO and president of
Earthwatch. 'This upcoming experience will surely enhance the employees′
knowledge and passion for the environment; help them appreciate the need
for scientific research so that we can help inform proper environmental
management; and instill a strong understanding of, and appreciate for,
corporate responsibility.?

This year′s expeditions take place at Guyrá Farm in Brazil, the Arctic's
edge in Canada and Dinghushan National Nature Reserve in China.

Brazil - August 12-18

Those who participate in 'Conserving Brazil's Atlantic Forest' will work
side by side with scientists to assess water quality; survey tree
species, size, and density; and observe bird and mammal populations.
Their data will help scientists understand the response of tropical
rainforests to a suite of human pressures?including how those pressures
change species composition and structure, and how they alter to the
forests' contributions to the ecosystem at large.

China - August 26-September 1

Participants on the 'Impact of Climate Change on the Forest in
Dinghushan China' project will work with researchers to tag, photograph,
measure and identify trees and monitor tree phenology, such as the
timing of budding, leafing, flowering, and fruiting. Results from this
research will enable reserve managers and local communities to plan
appropriate adaptation measures.

Canada - September 16-22

Participants on 'Climate Change at the Arctic's Edge' will gather data
on the impacts of melting permafrost, which holds significant
implications for the environment, such as releasing carbon dioxide and
methane into the atmosphere.

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world′s leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated
aluminum and alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum
industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the
aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial
transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the
past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled
products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa ? wheels,
fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building
systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as
titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral
part of Alcoa′s operating practices and the product design and
engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow
Jones Sustainability Index for ten consecutive years and approximately
75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in
active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 61,000 people in 31
countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.

About Alcoa Foundation

Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the
U.S., with assets of approximately US$446 million. Founded more than 50
years ago, Alcoa Foundation has invested more than US$550 million since
1952. In 2011, Alcoa Foundation contributed more than US$20 million to
nonprofit organizations throughout the world, building innovative
partnerships, engaging its people to improve the environment and
educating tomorrow′s leaders. The work of Alcoa Foundation is further
enhanced by Alcoa′s (NYSE:AA) thousands of employee volunteers who share
their energy, passion and purpose to make a difference in the
communities where Alcoa operates. Through the company′s signature Month
of Service program, in 2011, a record 56 percent of Alcoa employees took
part in more than 1,200 events across 24 countries, reaching 81,000
children, serving 9,000 meals, planting 34,000 trees and supporting
1,800 nonprofit organizations. More information can be found at www.alcoafoundation.com.

About Earthwatch Institute

Founded in 1971, Earthwatch is an international environmental
organization whose mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific
field research and education to promote the understanding and action
necessary for a sustainable environment. Our vision is a world in which
we live within our means and in balance with nature. Earthwatch
currently supports 60 environmental research projects in 30 countries by
providing funds and paying volunteers who work alongside leading field
scientists and researchers. In the past 40 years, Earthwatch volunteers
have contributed over 10 million hours to essential fieldwork. For more
information about Earthwatch, visit www.earthwatch.org.

Alcoa Foundation

Malika Harrison, 212-836-2610