SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK- June 8, 2007 "“ Jacques Whitford, one of Canada's largest environmental science and engineering firms, has taken a major step forward in reducing its carbon footprint through a new partnership with the Carbonfund.org Foundation, a leading provider of carbon offset programs.

As of June 1, all of Jacques Whitford’s operations and facilities must now become carbon neutral through a combination of conservation efforts and the purchasing of carbon offsets through Carbonfund.org. The non-profit foundation verified the work Jacques Whitford’s did to analyze their carbon footprint and recommended investments in carbon-reducing projects such as renewable energy, alternative energy and energy efficiency.

Jacques Whitford is the first major environmental engineering firm to join Carbonfund.org's CarbonFree program. With more than 1,600 employees in 45 offices, Jacques Whitford is demonstrating how larger organizations can minimize their carbon footprint. Jacques Whitford's annual footprint is 8,501 metric tons of carbon which, when offset, is equal to taking 1,840 passenger cars off the road for a year.

"I am very excited to announce our commitment to become a carbon neutral firm," said Bob Youden, Chief Executive Officer of Jacques Whitford. "Our firm is taking responsibility for the effects of our carbon dioxide emissions while working hard to reduce them. This year we will offset the carbon emissions we are not able to eliminate by purchasing offset credits. We believe that all businesses, industries and communities should bear responsibility to minimize environmental effects and pollution."

Jacques Whitford recognizes the importance of addressing climate change on a person-by-person, business-by-business basis, which is why it has moved to immediately offset its greenhouse gas emissions.

"Carbonfund.org applauds Jacques Whitford's leadership and commitment to solving the problem of climate change," said Carbonfund.org executive director Eric Carlson. "Jacques Whitford's carbon reduction and offset program serves as an example for all Canadian companies and is supporting our market transformation to a clean energy future."

Overseeing Jacque Whitford’s carbon neutral initiative is Marty Janowitz, the company’s first Vice President of Sustainability. Mr. Janowitz was appointed to the position last year and since then has built a strong network of advocates throughout the company, which has offices across Canada, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

An important part of that work was the creation of a multidisciplinary team of Jacques Whitford scientists and engineers. Together they analyzed the company’s existing greenhouse gas emissions, evaluated options for change and investigated investments in carbon offsets. The next step is the development of a long-term business plan, which will enable Jacques Whitford to meet the highest standards of energy efficiency, environmental performance and sustainability.

"We are currently in the process of setting clear targets to reduce the company's carbon footprint and improve environmental performance in our offices and operations," said Mr. Janowitz. "Our sustainability team is also developing practical step-by-step action plans with employees in every office, to ensure that all levels of the company are aware of this initiative and will work towards its success. Jacques Whitford is leading by doing."

About Jacques Whitford

Established in 1972, Jacques Whitford is an internationally recognized leader in environmental, climate change, sustainability and earth sciences engineering and planning. With executive headquarters in Saint John, New Brunswick, the employee-owned consulting firm has successfully completed over 100,000 projects in Canada, the United States and internationally. Jacques Whitford continues to grow to provide the most innovative skills, expertise and technology to meet the needs of its clients. Learn more about Jacques Whitford at www.jacqueswhitford.com

About The Carbonfund.org Foundation

Carbonfund.org is North America’s leading carbon reduction and offset organization with offices in the Washington, DC area and San Francisco. Carbonfund.org educates the public about the dangers of climate change and makes it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact. Carbonfund.org is reducing the threat of climate change by promoting cost-effective carbon reductions and supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects globally that reduce and offset carbon dioxide emissions. Carbonfund.org works with over 150 corporate and non-profit partners including Dell, Orbitz, Lancôme, Yakima, National Wildlife Federation, Environmental Defense and Working Assets. Learn more at: www.Carbonfund.org.

Carbonfund.org

Carbonfund.org

Carbonfund.org (www.carbonfund.org) reduces the threat of climate change by making it easy and affordable for any individual or business to reduce their carbon footprint and support climate-friendly projects. With its easy-to-use calculator, low offset cost per ton of CO2, and certified offset projects, Carbonfund.org is proving that anyone can reduce their impact on climate change easily and efficiently. Carbonfund.org is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit business, and a member of the EPA's Green Power Network, the Chicago Climate Exchange, and Ceres. Carbonfree and "Reduce what you can, offset what you can't" are trademarks of the Carbonfund.org Foundation.

More from Carbonfund.org