The Pew Center on Global Climate Change and Toyota are pleased to announce the launch of a new research project to document and communicate best practices in corporate energy efficiency strategies. The project's goal is to educate corporations on the most effective methods to reduce energy use and related greenhouse gas emissions, while addressing the market and internal barriers many corporations face in implementing these strategies.
The Pew Center will manage the research and communications efforts, with funding provided by Toyota. The project will feature publication of a comprehensive report documenting best practices in energy efficiency strategies in company operations, supply chains, products and services, and cross-cutting issues. The center intends to collect information directly from leading corporations, drawing heavily from the companies in its Business Environmental Leadership Council, the largest U.S.-based association of companies dedicated to business and policy solutions to climate change.
Toyota's three-year, $1.4 million grant will enable the development and publication of the report, in addition to the execution of a year-long communications campaign designed to ensure wide dissemination of key findings from the research project. The communications campaign will include a major conference to mark the report's release, followed by regional workshops, targeted presentations and briefings, as well as the development of a special section of the Pew Center's Web site devoted to corporate energy efficiency programs and activities.
"Energy efficiency is the simplest, most cost-effective way for companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions," said Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. "This project is designed to give companies the tools to ramp up efficiency efforts and simultaneously address growing concerns about climate change and skyrocketing energy prices."
"The Pew Center has a long history of engaging the business community in the development of pragmatic solutions to climate change," said Patricia Salas Pineda, group vice president of Toyota North America. "We are pleased to work with them to develop this initiative and educate corporations on the most effective ways to reduce energy use."
The Pew Center was established in May 1998 as a non-profit, non-partisan, and independent organization dedicated to providing credible information, straight answers, and innovative solutions in the effort to address global climate change. The Pew Center is led by Eileen Claussen, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.
Toyota established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, with another under construction in Mississippi. Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Through its corporate initiatives, manufacturing operations and philanthropy, Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. In 2007, Toyota contributed more than $56 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S. For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.