1. What advice would you give companies beginning to contemplate a response to climate change?

At Staples we’ve learned that understanding and quantifying our carbon impact through credible data allows us to set tangible internal goals for our organization. Currently, we are tracking our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using the U.S. EPA’s Climate Leaders Protocol, which is primarily based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard (revised edition), created by the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Once a company can identify their direct and indirect carbon impact they can develop an integrated carbon mitigation strategy.

2. What is the most successful aspect of your organization’s response?

Staples has developed a comprehensive approach to becoming a much more sustainable business. This commitment revolves around four key areas we call our environmental cornerstones. They are environmentally preferable products, recycling, environmental education and energy and climate. This broad approach has allowed us to develop a long range carbon mitigation strategy.

3. What is the biggest barrier to this response …how has this been overcome?

One obstacle we’ve overcome is our ability to effectively communicate the short term and long term impacts our strategy is having on our global business, our customers and the environment. Staples communicates our environmental progress to our associates, customers, and other stakeholders in several ways, including our Web site, annual reporting and other communications. For example, in 2005 we embedded an environmental reporting tool into the systems used by account managers serving our contract (larger business) customers, enabling customers to receive reports describing the environmental characteristics and impacts of their purchases over time.

4. How are you measuring your company’s effectiveness in your response?

Staples has committed to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 7% on an absolute basis from 2001 to 2010. At present, we are tracking toward meeting and exceeding that goal following an integrated approach focused on energy conservation, green building design, renewable energy procurement, on-site renewable projects, alternative fuels and carbon sequestration. As of 2005, we had reduced our net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by nearly 5% versus 2001. We will continue to be transparent in our process via Staples Annual Sustainability Report and through our US EPA Climate Leaders commitments.

Mark Buckley directs Staples’ environmental commitment and sustainable business practices to protect and preserve natural resources. He is responsible for driving the company’s environmental leadership in four major areas: the purchase and promotion of recycled content products; chain-wide recycling initiatives; energy conservation programs and renewable power procurement; as well as educational initiatives for customers and associates. A 15-year Staples veteran, Buckley was previously vice president of facilities management and purchasing at Staples where he directed company-wide recycling and energy conservation programs. Prior to joining Staples, Buckley held several leadership positions in the field of environmental management for Star Market, Continental Baking, General Environmental Services Inc. and the U.S. Department of Interior/Aquaculture Project. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Anselm’s College and is an active member of several environmental groups for the State of Massachusetts.