WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 7, 2008 - The World Environment Center (WEC) today announced the appointment of Frank Werner to lead its global capacity building program and serve as Director of its European Operations. Mr. Werner possesses extensive knowledge of and experience in sustainable development through consulting and research work in such areas as sustainability reporting, managing stakeholder dialogues, assessing corporate performance and water management.

"The World Environment Center is very pleased that Frank Werner has agreed to lead our global efforts on capacity building and direct our European operations," stated Terry F. Yosie, WEC's President & CEO. "Capacity building is a core program and differentiates WEC through the direct, on-the-ground application of sustainable business practices across the value chains of global corporations. WEC has also developed a growth strategy and the expansion of our European activities is a major component of that strategy."

Prior to joining the WEC, Mr. Werner was a senior sustainability consultant with Akzente Kommunikation und Beratung GmbH in Munich where he advised global companies on improving the transparency and credibility of their sustainable development reporting, and developing corporate social responsibility strategies. Mr. Werner has a Master in Geography from the University of Heidelberg

"I am very much looking forward to driving the capacity building program of WEC and expanding its European activities," commented Mr. Werner. "In the light of serious environmental and social challenges facing our societies, WEC's work with global companies speeds the process to find sustainable answers. It's my firm belief that WEC's international approach and presence is a major asset for high quality corporate social responsibility solutions."

WEC's European office is located in Augsburg, Germany. Frank Werner can be reached there at +49 821 5983563 or fwerner@wec.org

About the World Environment Center:

WEC is an independent, non-profit, non-advocacy organization whose mission is to implement sustainable development through the business practices of global companies in partnership with government, non-government organizations and other stakeholders. WEC creates sustainable business solutions through individual projects in emerging markets; convenes leadership roundtables to shape strategic thinking across a range of sustainability topics; and honours industry excellence through its annual awarding of the Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development.

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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