7.11.2007 - 06:58pm ET

(CSRwire) ABBOTT PARK, Ill. - July 11, 2007 — Abbott, the global health care company, announced today that it is the first FORTUNE 500 company to go "carbon neutral" with its entire U.S. fleet of company sales vehicles.

At an environmental summit today in Chicago, Abbott also unveiled its new Global Energy Policy and announced the installation of a large, 500-kilowatt hour solar power system to produce electricity for parts of a manufacturing plant in southern California.

Driving Green and In Neutral:
Fleet vehicles are driven an average of 25,000 miles per year – nearly doubling the mileage, fuel consumption, and emissions of personal vehicles. A typical fleet of 500 vehicles can put more than 6,000 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the air annually.

At Abbott, the company's fleet represents close to 11 percent of the company's total emissions. Abbott will reduce the carbon emissions from its 6,000-vehicle fleet in the United States by offering a hybrid vehicle option starting immediately. The company will then purchase carbon offsets in early 2008 to neutralize the balance of the fleet's impact on the environment — to become "carbon neutral."

"I drive thousands of miles a month," said Lisa Valtierra, advocacy relations manager, Abbott, and a driver of one of the company's fleet vehicles. "Being able to select a car that is friendlier to the environment is important to me because I believe, as Abbott does, that we all need to do our part."

"We were happy to help Abbott take a hard look at its fleet and figure out how to improve efficiency, cut fuel use and offset greenhouse gas emissions – while saving money. This is green business strategy at its best," said Gwen Ruta, director of corporate partnerships at Environmental Defense. "We urge other companies to follow Abbott's example."

Launching New Global Energy Policy:
While the company's environmental footprint is small relative to other companies and industries, Abbott is committed to reducing its footprint even further by looking into responsible, progressive ways to manage and measure its energy consumption now and in the future. Abbott's new Global Energy Policy outlines several commitments the company is making to further improve its impact on the environment, including goals to:

Eliminate 12 percent of combined fuel oil/coal consumption by switching to cleaner fuels by 2011.*

Using Solar Power at Temecula, Calif. Plant:
While Abbott's energy efforts span the globe, the company pays close attention to communities where the needs are greatest. Energy consumption continues to be a top priority for California, the nation's most populous state — home to one of every eight Americans. In an effort to increase its use of renewable energy there, Abbott is installing a large, 500-kilowatt hour solar power system to produce electricity for parts of the company's vascular plant in the southern part of the state. This marks the company's first solar panel installation in the United States.

"Our responsibility to the communities where we work and live goes beyond producing innovative products that improve health — to how we make our products and operate our business," said Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. "These initiatives are the continuation of a long legacy of responsible business practices at Abbott that improve the health of our world and the people in it."

This ongoing commitment to sustainable business practices has led to Abbott being named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) in recognition of the company's leading economic, social and environmental performance. Abbott is also a member of EPA Climate Leaders, an industry/government partnership focused on a collaborative approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other climate change issues.

To learn more about Abbott's sustainability initiatives and to read or download the company's 2006 global citizenship report, visit www.abbott.com/citizenship. In order to reduce its environmental impact, the company shortened the print report and expanded the information available on its Web site. The abbreviated print version can be downloaded from the Web site or requested by email at globalcitizenship@abbott.com

About Abbott
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs 65,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company’s Web site at www.abbott.com.

*Normalized by sales

For more information please contact:

Ann Fahey-Widman
847.938.6388

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