California Award Recognizes Shaklee Corporation's Pioneering 'Climate Neutral' Leadership

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TO BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:

California Award Recognizes Shaklee Corporation's Pioneering 'Climate Neutral' Leadership

OREGON, LAKE OSWEGO, May. 31 -/E-Wire/-- California inhabitants facing a future of rolling black outs and increased energy costs were greeted with some positive environmental news this week with the presentation of the 2001 Edmund G. "Pat" Brown Award from the California Council for Environmental & Economic Balance.

This year's recipient, Shaklee Corporation, was honored for its commitment to become the first Climate Neutral(TM) Enterprise in the U.S. by achieving a "net zero" impact on the earth's climate while significantly improving its own energy efficiency. Shaklee's leadership demonstrates that markets can drive solutions to the energy and climate crises in ways that powerfully contributed to companies' bottom line results.

The Net Zero Approach

Shaklee, a consumer products marketing company, worked with the Oregon-based, nonprofit organization Climate Neutral Network to completely offset its impact on the earth's climate. In order to be certified by the Network, the company had to first conduct a detailed analysis of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and then create a plan to reduce them internally and invest in reduction projects externally to offset its remaining emissions. "Shaklee's example should serve to usher in a new era of corporate responsibility for investing in innovative technologies to drive down C02 emissions," says Daniel Lashof, Senior Scientist for the National Resources Defense Council and Co-Chair Climate Neutral Network Environmental Advisory Panel.

Taking the Heat Out of Global Warming While Building the Bottom Line

Progressive programs like the Climate Neutral certification system seem to illustrate an emerging corporate commitment to tackling the issue of global warming. "Clearly, we believe the dialogue on global climate change must move from conversation to demonstration," said Robert Schults, President and CEO of Shaklee Corporation. "Our actions must speak as loudly as our words."

Denis Hayes, who heads up the Earth Day Network, agrees. "Shaklee's Climate Neutral certification shows that the private sector can be leaders, not followers, when it comes to protecting the earth's climate." Shaklee has revitalized the image and appeal of direct marketing organizations through their partnership with the Climate Neutral Network, leading to gains in their business development goals.

Investing in the Community; Building Energy Solutions

Shaklee's offset investments were designed to have benefits beyond promoting energy and fuel efficiency in its own operations. For example, Shaklee's offset portfolio includes a boiler upgrade project for Portland Public Schools. This project will not only eliminate tens of thousands of tons of GHG emissions and other pollutants, but will also dramatically increase the energy efficiency of the school's heating systems. The school district also expects to save approximately $250,000 over the project's life span.

"Climate Neutral certification is a dramatic way to deliver on a company's 'triple' bottom line, and it can deliver a vast range of social benefits to communities across the United States," says Robert Wilkinson, Senior Research Associate at the Rocky Mountain Institute.

Over the past ten years, Shaklee had already pursued all of the standard energy savings measures like lighting, HVAC and water recycling improvements. Now, Climate Neutral certification has allowed the company to complete its mission of offsetting its remaining GHG footprint with projects that emphasize energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

Alongside another dozen companies currently pursuing Climate Neutral certification, Shaklee's achievements send out a challenge to companies across the country to adopt proactive climate and energy solutions. For more information visit www.climateneutral.com.

http://www.climateneutral.com/

http://www.shaklee.com/

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