Dell Goes Carbon Neutral

Computer manufacturer Dell (News - Alert), who has been making significant strides toward environmental change and awareness, took a giant step today to become "the first major computer manufacturer to commit to neutralizing the carbon impact of its worldwide operations."

Chairman and CEO, Michael Dell commented during a policy forum organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, "Leadership starts at home, which is why we are going carbon-neutral, but this should only be the beginning of building long-term partnerships with customers, stakeholders and suppliers of all sizes to team up and make a difference for the Earth we all share."

To make up the difference, the company is becoming carbon neutral, meaning there is no total carbon release since the amount of carbon that is released is balanced with the amount sequestered.

To meet this commitment, the company has said they will drive for energy efficiency including improved electricity usage, maximize renewable power purchases, and will offset the remaining impacts, including employee business travel, by investing in projects that are monitored and can verify real carbon savings.

With this latest announcement, Dell is answering to an increasingly urgent need in the business world to improve the environment and as part of their efforts has also announced a "Plant a Forest for Me" program which extends their "Plant a Tree for Me" program for consumers.

The new program, which also includes founding members ABN AMRO, AMD, Ask.com, Salesforce.com (News - Alert) and WellPoint, urges organizations worldwide to join together with Dell to "share best practices, partner and facilitate the planting of millions of trees in sustainably managed reforestation projects."

 

Through the program, the companies will offset their carbon output by purchasing trees.

 

"Never before in the history of business have we seen such a critical need to build a worldwide community dedicated to improving the environment," Dell commented.

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