White House Announces New World Environment Center Initiative in Chile

Mar 22, 2011 5:00 PM ET

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) March 22, 2011 - The World Environment Center (WEC), a global non-governmental organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., applauds President Obama’s successful visit to advance the U.S.-Chile bilateral relationship and expand efforts to promote more sustainable economic development.  The U.S. and Chile have launched a new public/private partnership for small and medium sized Chilean enterprises to implement cleaner and more energy efficient technologies that will reduce waste, carbon dioxide emissions, material consumption, and business costs.  Funded by the U.S. Department of State, WEC will lead a new two-year project with Chileoliva, an industry association of Chilean olive oil companies.  Through WEC’s signature “Greening the Supply Chain” initiative, small and medium sized companies will receive on-the-ground technical assistance and training for improving their business management skills and strengthening the economic, environmental and energy performance of their companies. WEC will also partner with other governmental and private institutions, including the Clean Production National Council to strengthen project activities and further replicate the successful cases developed during the project.

Dr. Terry F. Yosie, WEC’s President and CEO, commented that, “Progress in improving our economies and our environment results from top down leadership and the strengthening of bottom up capabilities.  This initiative announced by The White House embodies this dual approach and will achieve tangible results that benefit the people of both nations.  The World Environment Center is pleased to play an important role in this unique partnership.”

Read the full White House statement here.

About the World Environment Center
The World Environment Center, headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices and operations in many emerging and developed markets, is unique in its direct application of sustainable development strategies and practices to the business operations of its members. WEC creates sustainable business solutions through individual projects in emerging markets; convenes leadership roundtables to shape strategic thinking across a range of sustainability topics; and honors industry excellence through its annual awarding of the Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development. WEC conducts no advocacy activities. For more information, please go to www.wec.org.

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