May 09, 2005 — By Paul Geary, ENN
It's becomming more commonplace to see very large companies proclaim a commitment to the environment in general and to reducing greenhouse gases in particular. Xerox is the latest company to announce a program geared toward these aims.

The company said that it planned to reduce its emission of greenhouse gases 10% by 2012.

"While the absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions will be a challenge - requiring a 30 percent or more improvement in energy efficiency compared with 2002 levels - it is the right thing for Xerox to do," said Anne M. Mulcahy, Xerox chairman and chief executive officer. "As energy and fuel costs rise, consciously working to further control Xerox's energy-related costs is environmentally responsible and financially smart."

Xerox's greenhouse gas emissions - gaseous compounds in the atmosphere that trigger global climate change - result from use of fossil fuels and purchased electricity for power. About three-quarters of Xerox's total comes from its U.S. operations. The company projects it could save or avoid spending millions of dollars annually by cutting its use of fossil fuel and electricity.

The target is in line with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leaders program and The Business Roundtable's Climate RESOLVE program, which Xerox joined in 2003.

Climate Leaders is an EPA industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies. It is one of more than 40 voluntary programs, collectively known as Partners for the Environment.

Participating companies set a corporate-wide greenhouse gas reduction goal and inventory their emissions to measure progress. By reporting inventory data to EPA, the companies create a measureable record of their reductions.

You can learn more about EPA's Partners for the Environment program at the EPA's website.

Source: EPA, Xerox