A greener shade of Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams, the Cleveland-based paint manufacturer and retailer, has pledged to reduce its total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 4% from 2007 to 2012.

"By setting a greenhouse gas reduction goal, we are complementing our overall sustainability strategy of managing natural resources efficiently and responsibly," said John Gerulis, Sherwin-Williams VP environmental, health and regulatory affairs. "We believe that being stewards of the environment is consistent with the values of all our stakeholders and take the responsibility seriously."

The company, which had 2008 sales of $4.8 billion, down 2.4% from the previous year, partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Climate Leaders program in 2007.

Climate Leaders is an EPA industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop comprehensive climate change strategies. Partner companies commit to reducing their impact on the global environment by completing a corporate-wide inventory of their greenhouse gas emissions based on a quality management system, setting aggressive reduction goals and annually reporting their progress to EPA. Through it, companies create a track record and receive EPA recognition.

The company also is engaged in an internal program called EcoVision, a policy that emphasizes a commitment to practices that reduce the its impact on the environment.