EPA recognizes Connecticut and New York companies for environmental awareness

Several companies headquartered in Connecticut and New York have been recognized by the federal Environmental Protection Agency for their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In Connecticut, Kimberly-Clark of New Milford, manufacturer of brands such Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, and Depend; business services provider Pitney-Bowes of Stamford and United Technologies in Hartford, producer of high-tech products for aerospace and building industries were all given goal achievement awards for excellence in greenhouse management.

Each of the companies was able to meet self-determined goals to reduce greenhouse emissions through sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices.

In New York, Armonk-headquartered IBM was recognized for its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent between 2005 and 2020 ”” an additional 20 percent reduction, from year-end 2012 to year-end 2020, over the reductions achieved from 2005 to 2012 under IBM’s second-generation goal.

MetLife Inc., the insurance service provider based in Manhattan, was recognized for goals to achieve carbon neutrality in 2016 through at least 2018. As well as a goal to reduce energy consumption across its globally owned and leased offices by 2020, along with a 10 percent location-based carbon reduction by 2020.

“This year”™s Climate Leadership Award winners are setting a high bar for organizations across the country,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “They are proving that climate action isn”™t just the right thing to do; it”™s also the profitable thing to do.”

Thirteen organizations from around the country were recognized by the EPA.