Bank of America 2007 Annual Report Download - page 34

32 Bank of America 2007
GOING GREENER
AAs with many companies, Bank of
America’s environmental efforts —
which began two decades ago —
were initially focused on the
conservation of resources such
as energy and paper. In 2007, we went further.
Last March, Bank of America announced a
10-year, $20 billion environmental initiative
to address climate change and encourage
sustainable business practices through our
new products and services, lending and investing
activities and corporate philanthropy, as well
as by improving our own operations.
Under the initiative, we have helped San Jose,
California, become the largest solar-powered
school district in the United States, which will
save the district $25 million in energy costs and
cut carbon emissions by more than 37,000 tons.
We also invested $65 million so that the Redwood
Forest Foundation could purchase and preserve
50,000 acres of forest in Northern California.
We are helping our retail customers contrib-
ute, too. Our new Brighter Planet Visa® credit
card gives cardholders one EarthSmart™ point
for every dollar spent. Customers can redeem
their points to help build community-based renew-
able energy projects across the United States.
Last year, we joined the Chicago Climate
Exchange, the world’s first voluntary carbon
exchange. We’re well on the way to meeting our
pledge to reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions of
our energy and utility client portfolio by 7 percent
from 2004 levels by the end of 2008 and to lower
the greenhouse emissions of our own operations
by 9 percent from 2004 levels by the end of 2009.
During the next 10 years, we will invest
$1.4 billion to achieve LEED (Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design) certification
for all our new office buildings and banking
centers. And we give employees a $3,000 rebate
if they buy a hybrid vehicle.
Bank of America associates have also worked
hard to cut paper use by 40 percent since 2000.
You can help by having next year’s annual report
delivered to you electronically. Sign up at
www.bankofamerica.com/annualreport/2007.
LAST YEAR, BANK OF AMERICA STEPPED UP ITS COMMITMENT
TO THE ENVIRONMENT. YOU CAN JOIN US.
Bank of America is
helping to support
sustainable growth in
the Usal Redwood Forest,
north of Fort Bragg in
Northern California.
▲
My hope for the
planet is that
the world’s
businesspeople,
consumers,
activists and
politicians will
work together
to fi nd new
ways to create
sustainable
economic growth.
— Kenneth D. Lewis ”
“
Insights Innovations Opportunities
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