Oil derricks, Petrolia, Ontario, 1886; photo taken by Robert Bell

The Fairbank family has been part of Canada’s oil industry since John Henry Fairbank first struck oil in 1858. Charles Fairbank Oil Properties Ltd. is listed as the oldest oil company in the world, according to Library and Archives Canada. By 1880 it become the largest oil producer in Canada.

Stills, used to process petroleum, at the Producers Oil Refinery, Petrolia, Ontario, 1886

As part of one of the first oil companies in North America, Van Tuyl and Fairbank Inc. launched Solarware on May 1st. The hardware store in southwestern Ontario will sell solar collector panels, solar-powered hot-water heaters and in-floor heating systems.

Some of the oldest oil companies have dabbled with renewable energy. But several activist have claimed it has been for the purpose of greenwashing and trying to give a dirty oil company a clean image. Greenwashing or not, it is still important to look at how some are making an effort.

Shell (founded in 1907) had a solar business from 2000 to 2006 when they finally sold to Germany’s SolarWorld. A move that made SolarWorld into one of the largest producers of PV in the U.S.

Solar project between a FedEx distribution hub and BP Solar making this the largest rooftop installation in the United States. 2.4 megawatt covers 3.3 acres with 12,400 solar panels.

BP (founded in 1909) coined “Beyond Petroleum” during the time Lord Browne was CEO. An effort was made to green the oil giant at least from the marketing perspective. BP has been involved in solar power since 1973. BP Solar, a subsidiary of BP, is a worldwide manufacturer and installer of photovoltaic solar cells.

Oil Rigs or Renewable

Exxon Mobil (1870) being the largest of the oil companies, has avoided getting into renewables completely. As I searched the Internet for anything that would relate to Exxon and solar, I always ran into dead ends. A search at GoDaddy to see if the domain ExxonSolar.com had been registered, the answer was “Bad Request”. Maybe I was having a bad Internet connection or it was bad to put those two words together, but that is where I ended my search.

Wal-Mart Stores committed today to reduce phosphates in laundry and dish detergents in the Americas region by 70 percent by 2011. Wal-Mart also announced plans to accelerate its drive toward more sustainable packaging in the Americas region by reducing packaging by 5 percent by the end of 2013.

Phosphate compounds are a common water pollutant and can damage aquatic ecosystems by stimulating the growth of algae that depletes oxygen in the water for fish and plants. Phosphates from detergents are a significant contributor to phosphate-based water pollution.

“Our reach around the world puts us in a unique position to drive sustainable change across national boundaries and into the global supply chain,” said Craig Herkert, Wal-Mart president and CEO of the Americas. “By further coordinating efforts throughout the region and sharing best practices, we believe we can help our customers save money on the products they need, while improving communities and the environment.”

According to Matt Kistler, Wal-Mart senior vice president, sustainability, “It is exciting to see our international markets join efforts to drive sustainability progress. Together with governments, our suppliers and customers, we are making great strides in lessening our impact on the environment.”

Continuing its push toward more sustainable packaging, the company will bring its U.S. initiated packaging scorecard to the Americas by the end of 2009. The scorecard is a tool that helps Wal-Mart buyers make more informed purchasing decisions and helps move the company toward its goal of creating zero waste and dramatically increasing the number of environmentally friendly products. As a part of this initiative, Wal-Mart will launch a Sustainable Value Network (SVN) to focus on reduced packaging in each market. The SVN will bring together leaders from Wal-Mart, supplier companies, academia, government and non-governmental organizations to explore challenges and develop solutions that benefit our business and our communities.

The announcements were made during the company’s quarterly sustainability milestone meeting, held to track company progress on a number of environmental fronts. Wal-Mart suppliers and associates from around the world attended the event at the Wal-Mart Home Office in Bentonville and watched via webcast. Attendees also heard from world renowned architect and designer Bill McDonough on the importance of product and supply chain innovation.

After Wal-Mart’s U.S. business, Wal-Mart Americas is the company’s second largest business unit. It includes Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, Brazil and Argentina, has more than 2,300 stores in 10 markets and employs more than 364,000 associates.

NOTE: The complete sustainability milestone meeting can be viewed at walmartstores.com/milestone

WORCESTER, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Massachusetts drivers are increasingly going green as the number of registered hybrid vehicles in the state has increased by 36 percent during the past nine months. The timing couldn’t be better for those drivers as the state’s new managed competition system for auto insurance allows them, for the first time in state history, to take advantage of auto insurance discounts created especially for hybrid drivers from insurers such as Travelers of Massachusetts.

According to the state Registry of Motor Vehicles, there are currently 22,353 registered hybrid cars in Massachusetts, up from 16,477 in July of 2007, for an increase of 36 percent. Hybrid cars are generally defined as vehicles that use gasoline and an alternative fuel source such as electric or fuel cell.

Travelers introduced the hybrid discount option to stay ahead of one of the fastest-growing markets in the industry. Providing the right insurance solutions that are in-synch with today’s environmentally conscious individuals is one way Travelers of Massachusetts is meeting the needs of its customers.

“Travelers of Massachusetts is pleased to offer a discount up to 10 percent on auto insurance to Massachusetts’ hybrid drivers,” said Dick Welch, president of Travelers of Massachusetts. “Ever since Travelers wrote the nation’s first automobile policy back in 1897, the company has been committed to meeting the evolving needs of the consumer with innovative insurance products. Protecting the environment and conserving natural resources are important principles to us and Travelers of Massachusetts is proud to do our part to encourage the use of fuel efficient vehicles.”

To learn more about the hybrid discount, Travelers has launched a Web site specifically for hybrid enthusiasts at www.hybridtravelers.com. The site features federal and state incentives for hybrid owners and information on how to take advantage of the hybrid discount.

Travelers of Massachusetts is the “umbrella” brand name for all personal insurance policies issued by a Travelers company in Massachusetts. Homeowners policies are written by The Phoenix Insurance Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company, The Standard Fire Insurance Company, and The Travelers Commercial Insurance Company. Auto policies are written by The Premier Insurance Company of Massachusetts, an independent, single-state subsidiary of The Travelers Indemnity Company. For more information, visit www.travelersma.com.

About Travelers

Travelers understands that life and business are inherently dynamic and that the best way to serve agents, brokers and policyholders is to deliver insurance that evolves to stay in-synch with life and business as they change. For more information on being in-synch, visit www.travelers.com.

The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading property casualty insurance company selling primarily through independent agents and brokers. The company’s diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of insurance coverage in both the personal and commercial settings, including auto, homeowners, construction, small business, oil and gas, ocean marine, surety and management liability, global technology and public sector services. Travelers is a Fortune 100 company, with 2007 revenues of $26 billion and total assets of $115 billion. The company has approximately 33,000 employees.

“BIO and its member companies produce the key enabling technology that will make low-carbon biofuels from cellulose a reality in the very near future. The Farm Bill passed today can help both biofuel producers and farmers coordinate their efforts to deploy this technology for turning crop residues and dedicated energy crops such as perennial grasses, trees and other non-food feedstocks into advanced biofuels.

“We wish to thank House Agriculture Chairman Rep. Collin C. Peterson (D-Minn.) and Ranking Member Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) as well as Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Chairman Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Ranking Member Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) for their leadership on the energy title of the Farm Bill. We would also like to thank Senate Finance Chairman Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Ranking Member Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) as well as House Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Ranking Member Jim McCrery (R-La.).”

The Farm Bill includes an important new incentive for the development of cellulosic biofuels, which hold tremendous promise as a home-grown alternative to fossil-based fuels. The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that became law last year calls for production and use of 21 billion gallons of advanced biofuels by 2022. But because the technology for producing cellulosic biofuels is emerging, government assistance is necessary to help companies reach the commercial scale called for in the RFS. The Farm Bill contains a new, temporary production tax credit for up to $1.01 per gallon, available through December 31, 2012, with an estimated cost of $403 million over the ten-year budget window.

The bill also includes loan guarantees to assist the construction of commercial biorefineries for production of advanced biofuels. It also creates a Biomass Crop Assistance Program that will help farmers transition to growing cellulosic energy crops for these biorefineries. Lastly, it continues funding research and development into making advanced, low-carbon biofuels cost-competitive for consumers.

“The farm bill energy title will accelerate the commercialization of cellulosic biofuels technologies and will help ensure abundant fuel and food resources are produced by the nation’s farmers and fuel producers,” said Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section.

BIO supports the production of ethanol from all feedstocks. Biotechnology is helping to increase corn and soybean yields, convert corn starch and crop residues into ethanol more efficiently, and develop new “green” non-food feedstocks for low-carbon advanced biofuels. With ongoing advances in biotechnology, biofuels can help America meet nearly half its transportation-fuel needs by the middle of this century.

The Advanced Biofuels & Climate Change Information Center presents the latest commentary and data on the environmental and other impacts of biofuel production. Drop in and add your comments, at http://biofuelsandclimate.wordpress.com/.

BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

Upcoming BIO Events

– 2008 BIO International Convention
June 17-20, 2008
San Diego, Calif.

– Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy
Sept. 10-12, 2008
Vancouver, BC

Source: Biotechnology Industry Organization

In fact, the study found that the majority (58 percent) of financial institutions are planning new building projects, and of that group more than three-quarters (75 percent) are considering the use of green building materials and practices.

Executives planning new building projects say energy efficiency considerations are very important (76 percent) to their institutions, followed closely by indoor air quality (72 percent) and indoor work place (61 percent). To download the free full report, visit http://www.ibtenterprises.com/ideastudio.asp.

“Building new financial services facilities is a constant in the industry, and this study bears that out; however, we are now seeing a real interest in eco-friendly building within the sector,” said Mylle Mangum, CEO of IBT Enterprises, the survey’s sponsor. “Executives are generally interested in incorporating green elements into projects large and small. We’ve reached a point where building green does not always come with a cost-prohibitive price tag, and being green can still give a financial institution the features they desire.”

When asked which features financial institutions most want to incorporate in new and existing branches, executives tended to focus on ways they can further deliver services to their clientele. The majority of the group said adding ATMs (69 percent), educational or community-oriented marketing (59 percent), investment services (56 percent) and technology/Internet kiosks (56 percent) were of most interest to them.

Being Green on a Daily Basis

Seven in ten executives polled said “being green” is important to their financial institution because “we are all stewards of the earth – we are doing what is right” and nearly as many (68 percent) say they are green because they “realize benefits from the lower operation costs.”

That said, today’s financial institutions are not just interested in the color of money; many of their work environments are in fact very green, according to executives surveyed. Almost all (93 percent) financial services executives say they work in buildings that use fluorescent lighting and/or skylights, 47 percent use high-efficiency plumbing, 43 percent eco-friendly heating and air conditioning and 43 percent energy-efficient windows.

Some of the green initiatives financial services executives report their facilities participate in include:

Using energy-efficient lighting, including compact fluorescent lights (81 percent),

Having an active recycling initiative (74 percent),

Encouraging ride-sharing or public transportation for employees (62 percent), and

Using environmentally friendly cleaning products (46 percent).

“Like many organizations banks and credit unions truly understand the benefits associated with going green,” said Tom Tedrow, vice president of design and construction services for IBT. “We have found that green efforts tend to start small but grow into important initiatives.”

“For example, while only 44 percent of financial services executives knew of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, 55 percent of those that did said they will be seeking LEED certification for future building or remodeling projects,” continued Tedrow, who is accredited for LEED New Construction and Major Renovations.

Today nearly three-in-ten (29 percent) of those surveyed work in a location that was expressly built with energy efficiency in mind.

Offering Green Services

The majority (86 percent) of financial services executives surveyed say being green is important to their clientele. The figures do show that while some environmentally-friendly services are in place, there is room for improvement both in breadth of offerings and overall use of such services.

For example, nearly all (90 percent) respondents report having paper avoidance programs like electronic billing, statements and online applications in place for their customers. However, 58 percent of executives reported less than a quarter of their customers utilize such programs, and only 16 percent said the majority of their customers take part in the programs.

Some institutions are offering environmental-friendly services in addition to paper avoidance programs. Nineteen percent have eco-friendly car loans, 17 percent offer eco-friendly home financing, and eight percent have “green” credit cards where financial institutions make contributions to green initiatives based on spending. Across the board, consumer usage is very modest where these services are offered.

“While the uptake of eco-friendly financial services has not been through the roof, we do see evidence that although a financial institution might build green and be green, it may not appear to be green if it does not effectively offer green services to its clientele,” said Mangum. “The recent increase in environmentally-friendly services is just starting to emerge and financial services organizations are realizing there is a market for them. How large of a market it is will be seen in the coming years.”

This and other research studies completed by IBT Enterprises, including the 2006 IBT Market Pulse Survey, can be downloaded for free by visiting http://www.ibtenterprises.com/ideastudio.asp.

About IBT Enterprises’ 2008 IBT Market Pulse Survey

Conducted in April 2008, the 2008 IBT Market Pulse Survey is based on an online survey among a nationwide sample of executives with financial institutions. Of the 124 participants, 21 percent are president/CEO/chairman, 38 percent vice president and 34 percent senior management. Ninety one percent are employed in a bank or credit union. Eighty-six percent work in institutions with assets of $101 million or greater; 37 percent of respondents work for institutions with assets greater than $1 billion. Sixty-four percent of respondents were male and 36 percent were female. The research was conducted by Atlanta-based Arketi Group.

For more information about IBT Enterprises and its portfolio of design, build and consulting capabilities, visit www.ibtenterprises.com.

About IBT Enterprises

IBT Enterprises, an IBT Holdings company, is a leading source of forward-thinking designs and ideas in the arena of financial services and specialty retail. Over its 23-year history, the company has consulted to more than 190 retail and 550 financial services clients on the development of thousands of workspaces. IBT offers a comprehensive range of integrated services, including retail distribution strategy, market research, space planning, design and construction, performance training and coaching. IBT is a certified Woman Owned Business Enterprise and a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.

About IBT Holdings, LLC

IBT Holdings is the premier provider of design, build and consulting services for financial services and specialty retail. Comprised of IBT Enterprises, Design Build Concepts and International Banking Technologies, IBT Holdings is equipped to create facilities and environments that engage consumers and drive positive and memorable retail and customer experiences. With a combined portfolio of more than 3,700 design and construction projects, and LEED-accredited architects and designers, the IBT Holdings companies can develop a space that supports your practical and functional needs while offering a distinctive brand experience. For more information about IBT Holdings, LLC, visit www.ibtenterprises.com.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE:KSS) announced today that it plans to convert more than 50 of its existing New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland locations to solar power, representing nearly 80 percent of its locations in these three states. Currently Kohl’s operates 34 stores in New Jersey, 17 in Connecticut and 16 in Maryland.

With the East Coast solar installation, Kohl’s is the largest retail host of solar power, and its distributed solar program is now the largest in the world among retailers. In a distributed solar program, silent, renewable energy is produced and used at the same location requiring no transmission infrastructure. Kohl’s has converted more than 25 of its 88 California locations to solar power with plans to activate approximately 50 additional sites in the state. Solar installations are also under way at three Wisconsin locations, and Kohl’s hopes to add other states to its growing solar offering before year-end.

Initial construction for the East Coast solar conversions began in January. On average, solar panels provide 30 percent of a store’s annual energy, or enough to power 54 homes annually. The total East Coast program is expected to offset 370 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) over the 20-year program and is equivalent to removing more than 36,200 cars from the road for one year.

“Our solar program is one of many ways Kohl’s is working to become a leading environmentally responsible retailer,” said Ken Bonning, executive vice president of logistics for Kohl’s. “We launched our California solar initiative one year ago and are excited to add East Coast locations to the program, making Kohl’s distributed solar power program the largest in the world among retailers.”

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), solar power is one of many green sources of power, which also include wind, geothermal and biogas. These power sources are partially or entirely generated from clean resources and are considered cleaner than conventional sources of electricity in part because of lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Kohl’s strives to be a leading green retailer by maximizing energy efficiency, minimizing waste, improving new building design, reducing climate damaging emissions, and encouraging environmental values. Recently Kohl’s opened a new state-of-the-art photo studio in Milwaukee that was constructed using the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria. In its May issue, Working Mother Magazine recognized Kohl’s as one of the Best Green Companies for America’s Children. In April 2007, Kohl’s made the largest commitment to solar energy in U.S. history. Following that, the EPA recognized Kohl’s with a Green Power Leadership Award for being the No. 2 retail purchaser of renewable energy.

Kohl’s Department Stores

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE:KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. Kohl’s operates 957 stores in 47 states and will celebrate the opening of its 1,000th store in the fall. A company committed to the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $102 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares for Kids® philanthropic program. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.kohls.com.

DALLAS – Town of Addison Mayor Joe Chow, the Addison City Council, City Manager Ron Whitehead, VIPs and other dignitaries were joined by UDR (NYSE:UDR) Chairman of the Board of Directors Bob Larson, Chief Executive Officer Tom Toomey and other key representatives from the company to break ground today on Vitruvian Park, a billion-dollar multifamily, retail and commercial development in Addison, Texas, a thriving community adjoining the north side of Dallas. The development is approximately one mile north of I-635/LBJ Freeway between Midway Road and Marsh Lane in Addison’s southwest quadrant. In addition to being the largest development ever undertaken by major real estate developer UDR, Inc., the 99-acre, billion-dollar development is also Addison’s first major sustainable green initiative.

“Vitruvian Park is the type of high-quality development envisioned by Addison leadership and demanded by our growing residential and business population, as well as our numerous visitors,” said Addison Mayor Joe Chow. “We deeply appreciate UDR working with our town to give us the opportunity to have our visions come to fruition of a greener Addison with a sustainable, world-class community. UDR is helping us to create a community that will not only be the envy of this region, but of every city in America.”

UDR Chief Executive Officer Toomey noted, “Vitruvian Park offers UDR the opportunity to demonstrate our company’s increased focus on high-quality development in exceptional locations. This wonderful site, surrounded by such a thriving town, is bringing UDR a ‘once in a corporate lifetime’ development opportunity and we are delighted to partner in its success with the Town of Addison. Vitruvian Park is a great step forward for our company and shareholders, as well as for this community.”

“Addison is very excited to have the opportunity to participate with UDR to help bring this exemplary project to reality,” stated Addison City Manager Ron Whitehead. “By our cooperative work, we are creating a dynamic neighborhood that demonstrates Addison’s, and UDR’s, commitment to ensuring a great quality of life for the residents and the surrounding area for years to come.”

Named after Vitruvius, the renowned Roman architect, Vitruvian Park is designed to embrace his concept of designing to human scale. Vitruvian Park’s human-centric layout will encourage pedestrians to move around freely and efficiently. The development designers have gone to great lengths to minimize walking distances and provide an abundance of outdoor spaces and features to keep people interconnected with their homes, businesses and natural surroundings.

Vitruvian Park also introduces a new green-initiative program created by the Town of Addison that is the city’s own hybrid of Energy Star and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact. These standards will be included in all of the 5,500 dwelling units and 300,000 square feet of office and retail space throughout Vitruvian Park. UDR, Inc. will also recycle much of the waste from the demolition, as well as utilize recycled materials in Vitruvian Park’s construction. The company expects to pursue LEED certification for the project.

Vitruvian Park’s residential and commercial district will feature both public and private amenities including lush landscaping, a spring-fed creek, other expansive water features with bridges, an amphitheater and a broad array of shopping and services within easy walking distance. The development will also encourage pedestrian traffic within the retail and residential areas through its traffic-calming design, widened sidewalks and proximity to the interior main street. Outdoor seating and convenient parking locations are also incorporated into the overall design to encourage pedestrian mobility.

The first phase is currently designed to feature 667 multifamily housing units and a 12-acre public park. Leasing is projected to begin by the end of 2009 with occupancy expected to be available at the beginning of 2010. The housing completed in the first phase is expected to provide about 875 new residents to Addison. All phases of Vitruvian Park are expected to be completed in 2017.

For more information visit www.vitruvianpark.com.

About UDR, Inc.

UDR, Inc. (NYSE:UDR), an S&P 400 company, is a leading multifamily real estate investment trust (REIT) with a demonstrated performance history of delivering superior and dependable returns by successfully managing, buying, selling, developing and redeveloping attractive real estate properties in targeted U.S. markets. For over 30 years, UDR has delivered long-term value to shareholders, the best standard of service to residents, and the highest quality experience for associates. Additional information can be found on the Company’s website at www.udr.com.

About Addison, TX

As the business and entertainment center for the north Dallas corridor, Addison is a great place to live, work and play for more than 100,000 people on a daily basis. Addison packs fine dining at more than 170 restaurants, 4,000 rooms at 22 hotels, nighttime fun, spectacular special events, upscale shopping, friendly neighborhoods, award-winning parks, and over 11 million square feet of office space within its 4.3-square-mile borders. Visit addisontx.gov for more information.

TCR is a non-profit organization established to measure and publicly report GHG emissions using a single reporting standard across industry sectors. TCR represents a linking of several state-sponsored GHG emissions reporting efforts, including the California Climate Action Registry and the Eastern Climate Registry. TCR’s reporting protocol is based on the internationally recognized GHG emissions measurement standards of the World Resources Institute and World Business Council on Sustainability ( WRI/WBCSD ) – an approach Ford has voluntarily supported since 2001.

Nearly all U.S. states, many Canadian provinces and some Mexican states have adopted TCR’s program, thereby eliminating a patchwork of reporting standards that could lead to unnecessary and time consuming complexity in the system.

“We endorse the TCR’s reporting process because it has adopted the WRI/WBCSD reporting structure, which will ultimately lead to a common, single reporting standard worldwide,” said Larry Merritt, manager, Global Environmental Policy, Ford Motor Company. “A single reporting standard is easier for its members and administrators to manage and more cost effective than developing new tools on a state-by-state basis.”

Following TCR’s reporting process will allow Ford to focus its resources on finding and implementing GHG emissions reduction projects rather than comprehending and implementing complex, disparate reporting requirements around the world. In the U.S. alone, without TCR, each state could have developed its own unique GHG reporting requirements

To become a TCR member, Ford must demonstrate environmental stewardship in several areas by voluntarily committing to measure, independently verify and publicly report GHG emissions on an annual basis utilizing TCR’s General Reporting Protocol. Ford will leverage its emissions monitoring and reporting experience with the Chicago Climate Exchange ( CCX ) to support its commitment to TCR.

“Ford has demonstrated exemplary environmental leadership by courageously stepping forward to support TCR in its preliminary stages,” said Gina McCarthy, Chair of the Climate Registry. “We are deeply grateful for their integral support in helping to address the challenges of climate change.”

Ford is an industry leader in global facility GHG initiatives including voluntary reporting, emissions trading and carbon offset programs. The company has achieved many GHG reporting firsts, most recently as the first automaker to submit a voluntary GHG report to the Chinese government for its Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. facility in Chongqing, China. Ford’s Chinese report follows the same principles as TCR and other country-specific GHG initiatives Ford has supported.

Ford also was the only automaker to join CCX and the UK Emissions Trading Scheme ( predecessor to the current EU Emissions Trading Scheme ) by voluntarily accepting emissions reduction targets and undergoing third-party verification of GHG emissions data. Ford was the first automaker to voluntarily report facility emissions to the Mexican GHG Program and the Philippine GHG Accounting and Reporting Program.

Ford was also the first to publish an auto industry report dedicated to addressing the business implications of climate change, carbon dioxide emissions and energy security concerns.

“Through these early, voluntary actions, Ford’s manufacturing operations have gained first-hand experience with emerging policy tools,” said Merritt. “Our global, centralized approach has supported our participation in CO2 initiatives in a more cost-effective and operationally-efficient manner. Ford’s early action has also developed internal expertise which enables us to share our lessons learned with others.”