EMBASSIES WORK TOGETHER TO GREEN FACILITIES AND PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT

For Immediate Release Contact: Lisa Swann [email protected]

Embassies Work Together to Green Facilities and Promote Energy Efficiency throughout the District

(WASHINGTON DC – Sept. 23, 2010) – The Embassy of Canada hosted the second D.C. Greening Embassy Forum, a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and Earth Day Network. Foreign missions throughout the District came together Tuesday, Sept. 21, to learn more about sustainable facility renovation and share their “green” success stories. The Forum was comprised of two skills workshop sessions on benchmarking within the District of Columbia, as well as opportunities for embassies to learn more about in Performance Contracting. The Embassy of Canada was able to highlight its success in Performance Contracting saving 250 tons of greenhouse gas emissions through retrofits while remaining budget-neutral. Stella Tarnay, Green Building Specialist for the District of Columbia, showcased programs implemented by the D.C. government in benchmarking for energy efficient and environmentally sound buildings, using such tools like Energy Star, USGBC’s LEED certification and housing code regulations. “We are very excited at the success of this Forum,” said Beth Larson, Director of International Programs for Earth Day Network in her closing remarks. “I would like to recognize the support and inspiring dedication of everyone present, as we capitalize on our strengths as individual nations to work together on successful strategies for improving our home-environment within the District of Columbia, our nation-states, and the world.” The Canadian Embassy hosted an evening reception following the Greening Forum with notable remarks given by the Obama Administration’s Federal Environmental Executive, Ms. Michelle Moore, Under Secretary of State for Management, Patrick F. Kennedy, and Canadian Ambassador, Ambassador Gary Doer. Earth Day Network looks forward to working with its colleagues of the U.S. and foreign national governments in preparations for upcoming Forum sessions. Announced by Secretary of State Clinton for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the D.C. Greening Embassies Forum provides embassies with the opportunity to share best practices, challenges and experiences on green facility renovations and sustainable business operations for their missions in D.C., as well as information on green initiatives in their home countries. About Earth Day Network Earth Day Network was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment. Our mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable environment. We pursue our mission through a combination of education, public policy, and consumer activism campaigns. Our campaign and programs are predicated on the belief that an educated, energized population will take action to secure a healthy future for itself and its children. Earth Day Network has a global reach with a network of more than 20,000 partners and organizations in 190 countries. Earth Day Network is a 501(c)3 organization located in Washington, D.C.  

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