EPA recognizes CH2M HILL for excellence in greenhouse gas management

Denver — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Association of Climate Change Officers, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, and The Climate Registry, recognized CH2M HILL for excellence in greenhouse gas (GHG) management in the fourth annual Climate Leadership Awards.

CH2M HILL set a goal of 25 percent reduction in absolute GHG emissions by 2017 for global operations as compared to a 2012 baseline. The company is achieving this reduction through a facilities management plan that includes reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions for vehicles and buildings at its most energy-intensive project site; improving the efficiency of four LEED-certified headquarters buildings, which are also ENERGY STAR certified; and implementing office behavior-based energy conservation programs.

This is CH2M HILL’s first reduction goal encompassing its global, company-wide Scope 1 and 2 footprint. In past years, however, CH2M HILL has communicated goals for emissions reductions associated with business travel, North American facilities energy use and various Scope 3 initiatives.

The Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management Award recognizes organizations that publicly report and verify organization-wide GHG inventories and achieve publicly set aggressive GHG emissions reduction goals. The 17 awardees in five categories are honored for exemplary corporate, organizational and individual leadership in reducing carbon pollution and addressing climate change. Recipients have demonstrated leadership in managing and reducing GHG emissions in internal operations and throughout the supply chain, as well as integrating climate resilience into their operating strategies.

“I am proud to recognize CH2M HILL and all of our Climate Leadership Award recipients for their actions to reduce the harmful carbon pollution that’s fueling climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “Our winners are providing the leadership, commitment and solutions needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions and meet the challenge of a changing climate head on.”

Elisa Speranza, CH2M HILL’s Chief Communications Officer and Executive Sponsor for Sustainability, accepted the award at the 2015 Climate Leadership Conference in Arlington, Virginia, on Feb. 24, 2015. “This is a huge honor and we are proud to be recognized by the EPA,” Speranza said. “Inspired by the creative ways our clients and partners are committed to creating a healthy and vibrant economy, society and environment for future generations, we decided to establish a 5 percent annual reduction commitment and encourage other organizations and companies to join us.”

As an industry leader and one of the first in its sector to publish a Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship Report in 2005, CH2M HILL manages the impacts of its own operations and helps clients become more sustainable—whether dealing in master planning, program management, facilities and land development, sustainable cities, water, waste, transportation, energy and carbon management, environmental work, site revitalization, industrial systems or long-term operations and maintenance.

Verdantix, an independent analyst firm focused on sustainable business issues, has named CH2M HILL a U.S. leader in EH&S technology services, sustainability consulting, environmental services, sustainable engineering and climate change consulting. These recognitions exemplify CH2M HILL’s commitment to sustainable practices in the company’s internal operations, project delivery services and in the communities it serves.