Elopak, Tetra Pak & Partners Cut Emissions by 50 Million Tons

Published: March 31, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC | Partnering global companies in World Wildlife Fund’s Climate Savers Program came together in the nation’s capital to announce an estimated 50 million tons of voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2010 since the program’s inception in 1999.

The reduction is the equivalent to the annual emissions of Switzerland and was estimated by Ecofys, an energy consulting firm. Senior executives from a dozen companies briefed policymakers on Capitol Hill in March to deliver the message that climate protection and profitability can go hand-in-hand. While these successes are impactful, comprehensive climate policies are critical at both national and international levels to address the scale and urgency of the climate crisis.

The list of WWF Climate Savers companies includes Elopak, Tetra Pak, The Coca-Cola Co., Catalyst, The Collins Cos., Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Hewlett-Packard, Lafarge, Johnson & Johnson, JohnsonDiversey, Nike, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, Novo Nordisk, Polaroid, Sagawa Express, Sofidel Group, Sony, Spitsbergen Travel, and Xanterra Parks and Resorts.

"These 21 Climate Savers companies have proven that greenhouse gas reductions and strong economic performance is not an either/or proposition,” said WWF President and CEO Carter Roberts. “This is a critical moment to communicate this message to policymakers because voluntary action will not be enough to achieve the carbon dioxide reductions needed to protect the planet from the ravages of climate change. A global challenge like this calls for both domestic legislation and a strong international treaty.”

“Environmental protection and sustainable business performance are inextricably linked,” said Muhtar Kent, president and CEO of The Coca-Cola Co. “Governments, NGOs and businesses have unique roles, but we must work more closely together to address climate change. A key part of our role is to drive the Coca-Cola system to achieve and surpass the targets we have established in partnership with WWF and Climate Savers."

Elopak, a leading beverage packaging company with customers in 100 countries, will reduce CO2 emissions 15% from 2008 levels by 2011.

To learn more, visit: www.worldwildlife.org.