A coalition of nine Philadelphia organizations is pleased to introduce the first Green Office Pledge in America, giving every business a simple, easy checklist to put their environmental consciousness into immediate action.  The group includes (in alphabetical order): Center City Proprietors Association, the Delaware Valley Green Building Council, Drinker Biddle & Reath, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Indy Hall, PennFuture, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, PhillyCarShare, and the Sustainable Business Network of Philadelphia.  The group welcomes additional organizational partners.

The goal is simple: to have every business owner in Philadelphia go to www.greenofficepledge.org, sign the pledge, and make a commitment to start going green.  Businesses will be able to download an electronic banner to be used on their website and stationery saying, “I signed the Philadelphia Green Office Pledge.” On the website, there will also be a listing of companies that signed the pledge and a blog to share great green office ideas.

The first to sign the Philadelphia Green Office Pledge will be the Greater Philadelphia office of CB Richard Ellis.  CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), is the world’s largest and first commercial real estate services firm to announce its global commitment to become carbon neutral by 2010.   Locally and internationally, they are assisting real estate owner and occupier clients in making decisions and transactions which maximize profits, improve human and environmental health, and minimize environmental impact.    

“Our focus on corporate responsibility is not just about doing good, it’s about good business,” commented Robert Walters, CB Richard Ellis Executive Managing Director. “Signing this pledge is an opportunity for companies of all sizes to take their first step towards making responsible decisions that can both benefit the environment as well as ongoing business growth.” 

The Philadelphia Green Office Pledge will kick-off this program at the upcoming Delaware Valley Green Building Council “Green Leasing: LEED By Example” panel discussion and networking event on June 5th at SCA Americas LEED-CI Gold corporate headquarters.