EPA Notes Achievements in GHG Reduction, Pest Management
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized eight companies for achieving significant goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the Climate Leaders program and presented awards to five members of the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) for their sustained excellence in integrated pest management (IPM).
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., Bank of America Corp., Coors Brewing Company, Eastman Kodak Company, First Environment, Inc., Gap Inc., Roche Group U.S., and Shaklee Corp. achieved long-term GHG reduction goals, and three of these companies have also made new commitments to further reduce their emissions.
The agency said 27 companies were commended for announcing aggressive GHG reduction goals. Combined, the Climate Leaders companies are reducing emissions by approximately 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year.
Climate Leaders is an EPA industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop comprehensive climate change strategies. Launched in 2002, the program has expanded from 11 charter members to over 275 participants, which together represent more than eight percent of total annual U.S. GHG emissions. Program partners represent a broad range of industry sectors with a combined annual revenue equal to 12 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product.
The Climate Leaders Small Business Network was recently launched to deliver GHG management assistance to organizations with fewer emissions.
The IPM awards were given to
- Central Coast Vineyard Team (Paso Robles, Calif.) for demonstrating continued progress in outreach and education for growers, and adopting a reduced-risk approach to vineyard management.
- Glades Crop Care, Inc. (Jupiter, Fla.) for implementing IPM strategies that reduce pesticide use and risk, researching and testing lower risk pesticides, educating users on chemical safety, and providing outreach and education.
- IPM Institute of North America, Inc. (Madison, Wis.) for creating and marketing its innovative program for IPM certification for schools and pest control companies.
- Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission (Lodi, Calif.) for leading the development of a state-wide code of sustainable winegrowing practices in California.
- U.S. Department of Defense Armed Forces Pest Management Board (Washington, D.C.) for its extraordinary level of commitment to IPM and outstanding efforts to prevent and manage disease vectors and pests.
"These awards demonstrate that innovative pest management practices really do work," said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances, "EPA is helping growers and other pesticide users make the transition to safer practices and thereby reduce pesticide risk to people and the environment."
PESP is an EPA partnership for reducing risks posed by pesticide use to human health and the environment in both agricultural and urban settings. Established in 1994 with six charter members, PESP has grown to include almost 200 members.