WASHINGTON -- Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) today became the first major computer manufacturer to commit to neutralizing the carbon impact of its worldwide operations, a significant extension of its global climate policy and environmental stewardship.
Never before in the history of business have we seen such a critical need to build a worldwide community dedicated to improving the environment, Michael Dell, the companys chairman and CEO, said here today 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, Mr. Dell said.
Dell issued a challenge to its peer companies during Mr. Dells speech to join in a long-term, carbon-neutral commitment to our shared Earth. The company also announced a new program called Plant a Forest for Me (www.dell.com/plantaforest) that enables organizations worldwide to join together with Dell and share best practices, partner and facilitate the planting of millions of trees in sustainably managed reforestation projects. This program is a continuation of the Plant a Tree for Me (www.dell.com/plantatree) program for consumers.
The founding members of Plant a Forest for Me include Dell, ABN AMRO, AMD, Ask.com, Salesforce.com and WellPoint. Each company has committed to offsetting part of their carbon output by purchasing trees for Plant a Forest. Dell partners with The Conservation Fund and Carbonfund.org, non-profit organizations that facilitate the tree planting.