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6.17.2008 - 11:59pm ET

CSR News from:	Business for Social Responsibility
News Categories:	Research, Reports & Publications
	Environment

BSR and EPA Release "A Business Guide to U.S. EPA Climate Partnership Programs"

(CSRwire) SAN FRANCISCO,CA,. - June 18, 2008 - Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) is pleased to announce the release of "A Business Guide to U.S. EPA Climate Partnership Programs," a new resource developed in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. BSR worked closely with the EPA on the development of this new guide, the first one-stop business resource for all of the EPA's 35 climate-related Partnership Programs, which have more than 13,000 participating firms and other organizations.

Thus far, there have been no efforts to rigorously evaluate — from a corporate managers’ perspective — the environmental and business benefits of participating in voluntary government climate programs. "There is currently a sense of 'initiative fatigue' in the business community, and many BSR members have told us they need help prioritizing the numerous opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions," said Ryan Schuchard, BSR's Environmental Research & Development Associate. "We are thrilled to be releasing this guide with the EPA because it minimizes the legwork necessary for companies to understand each program and identify a short list of programs that meet their business needs."

The EPA guide includes profiles of the agency's climate Partnership Programs, which are organized by business value, services offered, program descriptions and applicable industries. It outlines how companies are investing in energy efficiency, clean energy supply and other climate-friendly technologies to realize a range of business benefits, including:

Benchmarking and recognition
National reach and collaboration
Cost-effective services and resources
Preparation for regulation

"Given the growing prominence of the climate issue, rapidly evolving state and national policies, and rising world energy costs, climate-related risks and opportunities must be seriously considered," said EPA Partnership Programs Coordinator Stephan Sylvan. "By participating in EPA Partnership Programs, companies can develop a comprehensive climate change strategy, which often results in a lasting record of quantifiable GHG emissions reductions."

EPA Partnership Programs offer technical assistance, financial and environmental analysis tools, training, seminars, networking, guidebooks and environmental performance benchmarking.

"A Business Guide to U.S. EPA Climate Partnership Programs" is available on BSR's website at www.bsr.org/reports/biz_guide_to_epa_climate_partnerships_508.pdf. For more information about the EPA's Partnership Programs, visit www.epa.gov/partners.

About BSR
Since 1992, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) has been providing socially responsible business solutions to many of the world's leading corporations. Headquartered in San Francisco and with offices in New York, Paris, Guangzhou, Beijing and Hong Kong, BSR is a nonprofit business association that serves its 250 member companies and other Global 1000 enterprises. Through advisory services, convenings and research, BSR works with corporations and concerned stakeholders of all types to create a more just and sustainable global economy. For more information, visit www.bsr.org.

For more information please contact:

Eva Dienel, Communications Manager
Business for Social Responsibility
415-984-3233
www.bsr.org

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