The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is recognizing eight companies for meeting their long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals as part of the EPA's Climate Leaders program. They are Anheuser-Busch, Bank of America, Coors Brewing Company, Eastman Kodak Company, First Environment, Gap, Roche Group U.S., and Shaklee Corp.
EPA is also commending 27 additional companies for their aggressive GHG goals. Click here for a complete list of participants and their goals.
More than 275 participants in the Climate Leaders program are reducing GHG emissions by approximately 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year. They represent more than eight percent of total annual U.S. GHG emissions with a combined annual revenue equal to 12 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), according to the EPA.
Here's a quick rundown on why these companies earned the EPA's praise.
-- Anheuser-Busch achieved its initial goal by reducing total U.S. GHG emissions by 10 percent from 2005 to 2010. The company plans to reduce total U.S. GHG emissions by 15 percent from 2008 to 2013.
-- Bank of America met its initial goal by reducing total U.S. GHG emissions by 13 percent from 2004 to 2009.
-- Coors Brewing Company reached its initial goal by reducing U.S. GHG emissions by 20 percent per production index by 2010 using a 2005 base year. MillerCoors pledges to reduce total U.S. GHG emissions by 8 percent from 2008 to 2015.
-- Eastman Kodak Company attained its initial goal by reducing total global greenhouse gas emissions by 39 percent from 2002 to 2008.
-- First Environment accomplished its initial goal by achieving net zero U.S. GHG emissions by 2008.
-- Gap, Inc. achieved its initial goal by reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent per square foot from 2003 to 2008.
-- Roche Group U.S. Affiliates met its initial goal by reducing total U.S. GHG emissions by 11 percent from 2001 to 2006, and its second goal by reducing total U.S. GHG emissions by 18 percent from 2001 to 2010. The company pledges to reduce total U.S. GHG emissions by 13 percent from 2008 to 2013.
-- Shaklee achieved its initial goal by maintaining net zero U.S. GHG emissions from 2006 to 2009 using a 2004 base year.
