SEATTLE - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and the Clinton Climate Initiative have announced a partnership to help bring environmentally-friendly products to cities across the United States and around the world. The two said they will explore ways to use their purchasing resources to lower prices on sustainable technologies such as energy efficient building materials and systems, energy efficient lighting, and clean energy products.
One of the technologies the partnership will explore is energy-efficient, high-performance LED lights for parking lots and street lamps. By switching to LEDs, Wal-Mart estimates that cities could save 50 percent on street lamp energy consumption and reduce maintenance costs by 80 percent. Additional technologies to be explored may include interior LED lighting, variable-speed HVAC technology, and solar power purchases.
Former President Bill Clinton made the announcement at the United States Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Summit held in Seattle. In addition to the partnership with Wal-Mart, President Clinton announced that the Clinton Climate Initiative will extend its programs and purchasing consortium to all 1,100 cities represented by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The consortium includes the C40 Climate Leadership Group, representing 40 of the world’s largest cities.
“This shows what can be achieved when business, government, and the nonprofit sector work together on some of the biggest challenges facing the world today,” said Lee Scott, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores. “By combining our resources, we can help drive innovation, create new technology markets, and ultimately reduce this country’s dependence on foreign oil.”
As part of the partnership the two organizations will:
• Collaborate regarding the design and discovery of new products and best practices related to environmentally-friendly technologies. This includes working together to develop specifications for new products and test new products.
• Work together to source new products, again sharing specifications as well as suppliers. This also includes going to market at coordinated times in order to maximize purchasing power and drive down costs.
• Designate a representative from each organization to coordinate with Wal-Mart’s building team, the Clinton Climate Initiative, and its member cities.
• Continue to seek opportunities for the two organizations to collaborate.
“Climate change is a global issue that we must address immediately if we are to reverse its catastrophic effects,” said President Clinton. “I am pleased that the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Wal-Mart, and many businesses are working with my foundation. Together, I hope that we can have a measurable impact on greenhouse gas emissions around the world.”
For more information on the Clinton Climate Initiative, visit www.clintonfoundation.org.
Publication date:11/19/2007
