Contacts: Sarah Matheson (202) 473-5635 smatheson@worldbank.org; Patricia Overend (202) 473-1710 poverend@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, DC, March 23, 2006 --In keeping with its continued commitment to sustainable practices, the World Bank announced today its goal to reduce, by 2011, the total greenhouse gas emissions from its Washington, D.C., building operations by 7% from 2006 baseline levels. This goal is part of the World Bank’s voluntary commitment as a leader in international climate change initiatives, as a good corporate citizen, and as a partner with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA) Climate Leaders program. Today’s announcement was made at the Climate Leaders’ 5th anniversary meeting in Washington, D.C. Launched in 2002, Climate Leaders is a US industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies. The partners set a corporate-wide greenhouse gas reduction goal and measure their emissions to track progress. By reporting this data to EPA, the partners create a lasting record of their accomplishments. This initiative builds on previous commitments by the World Bank. On June 5, 2006, World Environment Day, the World Bank Group announced that it had become carbon neutral for emissions from its Washington facilities and employee commuting, and business travel. In addition, the Bank offset travel and hotel space associated with its two large-scale meetings last year, held in Washington, D.C., in the spring and in Singapore in September. "The World Bank is committed to helping developing countries move to a lower carbon path by exploiting renewable energy resources, supporting energy conservation, and increasing efficiency. [...],” said World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz. “We recognize that we need to walk the talk in our own operations and we are doing something about it. We have made the World Bank Group Headquarters carbon neutral. We also believe it is time, in coordination with our partners, to develop a system that can estimate the carbon intensity of our projects." The Bank’s General Services Department (GSD) is charged with identifying ways to reduce the World Bank’s impact on the environment. Projects so far have included constructing “green buildings,” such as the Bank’s newest building in India; installing energy efficient equipment; adjusting operating procedures; and educating staff. GSD Director Van Pulley stated, “We believe in this ambitious goal we have set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our buildings. We see this partnership with Climate Leaders as an extension of our internal commitment to have a positive impact on the local and global communities in which we live and work.” The Bank also has a commitment to the development and use of renewable energy. In 2005, the World Bank Group received the Green Power Leadership Award sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Center for Resource Solutions – in recognition of “individuals, companies, and organizations that are significantly advancing the development of renewable electricity sources through green power markets.” The World Bank Group is number 14 among the top 25 Green Power Purchasers in the United States, behind such organizations as the US Air Force, Whole Foods, Johnson & Johnson, and Starbucks. “Our Climate Leaders partners are demonstrating corporate climate change leadership by embracing energy efficiency, green power, and technological innovation as sound business investments,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock. “Many of the nation’s leading companies are working aggressively with EPA to lower their greenhouse gas emissions in ways that advance President Bush’s climate change strategy.” About the World Bank The World Bank is a development institution dedicated to reducing poverty worldwide. Owned by 185 member countries – both developed and developing – the World Bank provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries in their efforts to provide social services and better infrastructure, improve governance, combat corruption, and protect the environment. For more information about the World Bank, visit http://www.worldbank.org. For more information about Climate Leaders, visit http://www.epa.gov/climateleaders. |
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