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Roche Achieves EPA Climate Leaders Goal Two Years Ahead of Schedule


WEBWIRE

Roche, the global pharmaceutical and diagnostics company, has achieved a 10.8 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2001 at its United States sites. This accomplishment is two years ahead of the goal set by Roche in support of the United States Environmental Protection Administration’s (EPA) Climate Leaders program. The official announcement is being made today at a Climate Leaders Partners Meeting in Boulder, Colorado.

Launched in 2002, the EPA’s Climate Leaders program is a voluntary industry-government partnership to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies. Industry Partners set corporate-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals and inventory their emissions regularly to measure progress.

“Roche’s goal was a combined 10 % reduction of 2001 greenhouse gas emissions by year-end 2008,” said Jack Kace, vice president, Environmental and Safety. “Thanks to the extraordinary dedication and hard work of Roche employees across the country, we reached and exceeded the goal at the end of 2006, two years ahead of schedule.”

“Congratulations to Roche for achieving its Climate Leaders greenhouse gas reduction goal. This success demonstrates that climate change management is good for business and good for the environment,” said Robert J. Meyers, principal deputy assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “EPA applauds Roche for its leadership and looks forward to working with them on their new goal.”

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere. Scientists believe that man’s use of fossil fuels has been the main contributor to an increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Roche’s accomplishments result from a broad array of initiatives, including:

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Modernizing the cogeneration plant at the Nutley, New Jersey facility;
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Elimination of mechanical refrigeration through water-side economizers;
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Retro-commissioned buildings;
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Improved automation systems;
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HVAC systems upgrades;
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Cool roof coatings; and
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Lighting system improvements.
* Greater automotive fleet efficiency through the use of hybrid and electric

Roche also announced that it has submitted to the EPA ambitious new goals scheduled to be achieved by 2010. In the next 3 years, Roche has pledged to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the country and will move from a 10% goal to a 15% reduction of gases by 2010.

The Roche sustainability commitment has been recognized by the company’s listing on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the FTSE4Good Index series. Roche also was awarded the first Financial Times / Citi Private Bank Environmental Award as the company with “The Greatest Improvement in Carbon Efficiency Achieved by a Large Enterprise both on a European and a Global Level”. These achievements underline the company’s leadership in environmental protection and its commitment to meet the climate change.

About Roche
Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. (Roche), based in Nutley, N.J., is the U.S. pharmaceuticals headquarters of the Roche Group, one of the world’s leading research-oriented healthcare groups with core businesses in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. For more than 100 years in the U.S., Roche has been committed to developing innovative products and services that address prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, thus enhancing people’s health and quality of life. An employer of choice, in 2007 Roche was named Top Company of the Year by Med Ad News and one of the Top 20 Employers (Science magazine). In 2006, Roche was ranked the No. 1 Company to Sell For (Selling Power), and one of AARP’s Top Companies for Older Workers, and in 2005, Roche was named one of Fortune magazine’s Best Companies to Work For in America. For additional information about the U.S. pharmaceuticals business, visit our websites: http://www.rocheusa.com or www.roche.us.

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