WATERLOO REGION - Sustainable Waterloo is pleased to announce the launch of the Regional Carbon Initiative and its first three Pledging Partner organizations. Sustainable Waterloo is a not-for-profit that guides organizations in Waterloo Region towards a more environmentally sustainable future. To do so, Sustainable Waterloo facilitates collaboration between industry, local government, academia and NGOs, with a focus on the high-tech sector.

Last night Sustainable Waterloo hosted 250 guests at its Regional Carbon Initiative Launch Event at the Waterloo Inn. The event included a presentation on incorporating social responsibility into business strategy, an incredible emission reduction case from VeriForm Inc., and the official announcement of both the Regional Carbon Initiative reduction framework and Sustainable Waterloo's first Pledging Partners: Athena Software, Enermodal Engineering and VeriForm Inc.

Organizations that participate in Sustainable Waterloo's Regional Carbon Initiative will commit to a carbon reduction target within a standardized framework. There are two membership options available for the Regional Carbon Initiative. A Pledging Partner makes a public commitment to reduce carbon emissions and is recognized for the achievements associated with its sustainability practices. Observing Organizations have access to the same service offering as Pledging Partners, however do not make their carbon reduction goals public. Pledging Partners commit to a reduction at Gold, Silver, or Bronze levels with 60%, 40% and 20% minimum reductions respectively as the goal over a ten year commitment.

Sustainable Waterloo's first Pledging Partners were announced as follows:

- Athena Software, Bronze Pledging Partner: 20% intensity-based reduction in 10 years (i.e. 20% reduction per full-time employee)

- Enermodal Engineering, Gold Pledging Partner: 100% absolute reduction ("carbon neutral") in 10 years

- VeriForm, Gold Pledging Partner: 100% absolute reduction ("carbon neutral") in 10 years

"We're incredibly excited not only to officially launch the Regional Carbon Initiative, but also to celebrate the commitments of these three leading organizations in Waterloo Region" says Sustainable Waterloo's Executive Director Mike Morrice. "Our first Pledging Partners have announced ambitious carbon emission reduction goals and we're thrilled to work with them and other organizations in Waterloo Region - particular the high-tech sector - to demonstrate our community's leadership in environmental sustainability."

All Regional Carbon Initiative members will be provided with a carbon accounting and reporting tool, quarterly educational forums and technical workshops, a directory of Waterloo Region environmental services professionals, inclusion in consolidated reporting and public recognition of their achievements, as merited.

Diane Stanley-Horn, Co-founder and Director of Training and Support Services at Athena Software, added her excitement for the Regional Carbon Initiative: "At Athena Software we are commitment to environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility, and so participation in Sustainable Waterloo's Regional Carbon Initiative was a perfect opportunity for our company to showcase this with a quantified commitment to reduce our carbon emissions. We're thrilled to be a part of this initiative."

For more information on how organizations participate in the Regional Carbon Initiative, please see "The Guide to the Regional Carbon Initiative", which details the official reduction framework, the reporting procedure, and the GHG accounting methodology that will be used for all Pledging Partners. This document is available for free download on the Sustainable Waterloo website at www.sustainablewaterloo.org/guide.

It is the outcome of several months of intensive research and community consultations that involved analysis of industry precedents and climate change science, as well as consultations with key community stakeholders, environmental professionals, and two community-based working groups comprised of representatives from industry, local government, academia and environmental NGOs.