Verizon Named to Newsweek Magazine's Global Green 100 List

NEW YORK, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon has been named to the Global 100 of Newsweek magazine's annual green rankings.

For the 2010 rankings, Newsweek collaborated with MSCI ESG Research, a leading source of environmental, social, and governance ratings; Trucost, which specializes in quantitative measurements of environmental performance; CorporateRegister.com, the world's largest online directory of social responsibility, sustainability and environmental reports; and  ASAP Media. The goal was to assess each company's actual environmental footprint and management of that footprint (including policies and strategies), along with its reputation among environmental experts.

Verizon was ranked No. 45 in the Global 100.

"Verizon is committed to using the power of its technology and the innovation of our employees to ensure that we continue to provide the valuable communications services our customers want, in a sustainable manner," said Kathryn C. Brown, senior vice president for public policy development and corporate responsibility. "Our goal is to continue to grow in a manner that creates long-term, sustainable value for our shareowners, employees and the communities we serve."

The recognition is the latest Verizon has received for its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its operations and assist consumers and communities in using technology to reduce their carbon footprint.

Verizon's ultra-fast broadband and global IP networks enable more sustainable practices including replacing travel with telework and high-definition video conferencing; and facilitating e-commerce and distance learning. The company's intelligent wireline and wireless networks and solutions can also play an essential role in deploying smart logistics, smart buildings and smart power grids.     

Recently Verizon was named, for the second straight year, to the Maplecroft Climate Innovation Index, a list of 100 top performing companies in the U.S. selected for their climate-related innovation and carbon-management programs.  The company was cited for its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as the positive impact its information communications technology solutions can have in helping businesses and consumers reduce their carbon footprint.  Maplecroft selected its top 100 from an initial pool of 1,300 companies. Verizon ranked no. 61 overall, up from 90 in last year's ranking.

For the past two years, Verizon has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index, which lists North America's leading companies as measured by governance, and social and environmental performance.

Earlier this year, Verizon launched a comprehensive sustainability program designed to find practical and innovative solutions to decrease the carbon footprint of the company's global operations.

The initiatives include:

• Adding 1,600 alternative energy vehicles to the Verizon fleet in 2010. Verizon is purchasing more than 1,100 alternative energy vehicles including hybrid and compressed natural gas-powered aerial trucks and vans, and hybrid pickup trucks and sedans. The company will also increase its use of biodiesel and flex-fuel (E85) to power 470 vehicles.
• Kicked off a long-term awareness campaign to educate, encourage and make it easy for Verizon's 220,000 employees to cut energy use, recycle and reuse at work and home. Recent examples include free electronic recycling days, open to the public, at numerous company locations throughout the country.
• Verizon's IT, security, communications and network expertise are helping the utility sector ramp up smart grid deployment.  The company's intelligent IP and wireless networks provide an ideal foundation for the smart grid's control and metering functions.

A responsible steward of the environment, Verizon's energy reduction and recycling measures reduced the company's CO2 emissions by more than 793 million pounds in 2009, approximately the amount of CO2 emitted by 46,700 homes in a year.

For more information on Verizon's environmental initiatives, visit http://newscenter.verizon.com/kit/green-press-kit/.     

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 92 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.  

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SOURCE Verizon