Washington, D.C. - April 29, 2008 - The World Environment Center (WEC) is inviting nominations for the 25th WEC Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development.

The WEC Gold Medal Award is one of the most respected measures of a global company's ongoing commitment to the practice of sustainable development. Only global corporations that can document well implemented, outstanding and sustained success are eligible to compete. A potential applicant company must demonstrate global vision and a commitment to sustainable development through innovative application of policies, and international economic, environmental, and social responsibilities. An independent Jury of international leaders selects the Gold Medal awardee.

Nominations of eligible corporations must reach the WEC Gold Medal Secretariat, no later than Friday, June 2, 2008. Self-nominations are welcome. Nominations may be submitted by completing and returning the brief Nomination Form in the Nomination Brochure or online at http://www.wec.org/programs-initiatives/gold-medal/2009-wec-gold-medal/index_html

After the Jury reviews this initial application, eligible candidates will be notified and invited to make full submissions by August 22, 2008. The 2009 WEC Gold Medal Award nomination brochure provides all the details about the schedule of the nomination and selection process.

The recipient of the 2008 Gold Medal Award is Marks & Spencer. The Gold Medal Presentation & Celebration will be held on May 9, 2008 at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.

Previous recipients of the WEC Gold Medal award are: ABN AMRO Bank (2006), Starbucks (2005), Johnson Controls Inc. (2004), Ricoh Group Ltd. (2003), CEMEX (2002), The Royal Dutch/Shell Group (2001), International Paper Company (2000), Eastman Kodak Company (1999), Philips Electronics N.V. (1998), Compaq Computer Corporation (1997), Alcoa (1996), Ciba-Geigy Limited (1995), S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. (1994), Xerox Corporation (1993), Procter & Gamble Company (1992), Rohm & Haas Company (1991), IBM Corporation (1990), The Dow Chemical Company (1989), The BP Group (1988), E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company (1987), Exxon Corporation (1986) and 3M (1985).

About the World Environment Center

WEC is an independent, non-profit, non-advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. Working with the private sector, international organizations, government agencies, academia and non-government organizations it advances sustainable development around the world through direct, on-the-ground initiatives and projects that improve environment, health and safety, the efficient use of natural resources and business operations.

World Environment Center

World Environment Center

The World Environment Center advances sustainable development through corporate business practices. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Europe and Latin America, WEC creates business solutions through Executive Roundtables on key sustainability challenges, builds capacity of small enterprises in emerging markets, and honors industry excellence through its annual Gold Medal Award. WEC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization. For more information, please visit www.wec.org.

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