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Join Us
References
- To join Climate Leaders, sign and return the Partnership Agreement (PDF) (1 pg, 131K, About PDF).
- Program Brochure (PDF) (2 pp, 1MB, About PDF).
- Partnership Directory (PDF) (2 pp, 589K, About PDF).
- Comprehensive program overview (PDF) (13 pp, 2.5MB, About PDF).
- Join related EPA voluntary programs.
Climate Leaders is an EPA industry-government partnership that provides guidance and recognition to companies developing long-term climate change strategies.
Partner companies represent a variety of industries and sectors, from manufacturers and utilities to financial institutions and retailers. Companies are welcome to join the program at any stage in developing their climate change strategy.
Partner companies with large emissions sources, that are using the Design Principles guidance, receive up to 60 hours of assistance. Low emitting companies and small businesses, that are using the Low Emitter Guide, receive up to 4 hours of assistance. There is no cost to participate in Climate Leaders.
To learn why a growing number of companies are stepping up to the challenge of protecting the global climate, see Benefits of Partnership.
Climate Leaders Step-by-Step
Step 1: Join the program.
Complete and fax the Climate Leaders Partnership Agreement (PDF) (1 pg, 131K, About PDF). The Climate Leaders Team will set up a kick-off meeting to welcome your organization to the program and explain the process that will lead to the achievement of your greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal.
Step 2: Develop a corporate-wide GHG inventory.
Use the Climate Leaders GHG Inventory Guidance to develop an inventory of emissions sources for the six major gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6). Climate Leaders offers free technical assistance to larger emitters to develop their inventory. Partners report their direct emissions from onsite fuel consumption and waste disposal, process-related emissions, and indirect emissions from electricity use. Optional sources can broaden the management scope (e.g., offsets, employee commuting, international operations). Businesses with fewer emissions can use our Tools for Small businesses and Low Emitters for their inventory.
Step 3: Set an aggressive corporate-wide GHG emissions reduction goal to be achieved over five to 10 years.
EPA evaluates each proposed GHG reduction goal following the process described in the Goal Setting Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 211K, About PDF). Partners have flexibility in setting reduction goals and work individually with EPA to assess their unique emissions sources and reduction opportunities.
Step 4: Report inventory data annually and document progress toward emissions reduction goal.
Climate Leaders Annual GHG Inventory Summary and Goal Tracking Form (MS Excel, 1 pg, 352K) (Download an Excel viewer 
), Inventory Management Plan (PDF) (3 pp, 133K, About PDF), and review process provide credibility and promote continuous improvement.
Step 5: Achieve your long-term GHG reduction goal.
Consider setting a second goal to continue your environmental leadership.
Publicize your organization’s achievements through Climate Leaders.
Climate Leaders provides national partner recognition opportunities and partner meetings to highlight all stages of program participation.