Citi Named One of the World’s Top Green-IT Organizations by IDG’s Computerworld and Ranked the Greenest U.S. Bank by Newsweek Magazine

New York, NY – Citigroup announced today that it has received recognition from two major publications for achievements in reducing its environmental footprint. IDG’s Computerworld has selected Citi as one of the top green-information-technology organizations for 2010, and Citi was the highest-rated U.S. bank in Newsweek Magazine’s 2010 Green Rankings. In addition, Citi achieved the highest ranking among all companies globally in Newsweek’s “Environmental Impact” category.

“This is a strong validation of our environmental initiatives, which have produced real results,” said Vikram Pandit, Chief Executive Officer of Citi. “Having found innovative ways to increase our operating efficiency through sustainable IT and design, we continue to demonstrate how working toward environmental sustainability makes fundamental business sense.”

“We’ve been able to improve our operations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly because of our sustainable IT and real estate programs,” said Don Callahan, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Operations & Technology Officer of Citi. “This recognition from Computerworld and Newsweek is something that all Citi employees can be proud of, since all of us play an integral part in these initiatives.”

Citi was one of the first global financial services companies to publicly join the fight to slow climate change and reduce energy dependence. In 2007, the company pledged $50 billion over the next 10 years to address global climate change.

That same year, Citi’s Sustainable IT program was formally launched. The holistic, global program aligns environmentally conscious tactics and innovations with Citi O&T’s strategic goals, including powering business growth, fostering innovation, reducing costs, and mitigating risk. Among its successful green IT projects is an innovative data center efficiency strategy, an e-waste recycling program with a zero-landfill policy, and desktop standardization, which through hardware upgrades and power management solutions is expected to result in a net 3% reduction in the company’s global GHG emissions.

Citi began measuring the environmental impact of its buildings and released its first environmental footprint reduction goal in 2006 (a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by year-end 2011). This year, Citi Realty Services expanded on the company’s existing goal by creating additional targets for 2015, which include: reducing GHG emissions from buildings 25%, reducing waste 40%, reducing water use 15% and having 15% of its real estate portfolio Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified by the US Green Building Council.

Last month Citi won The Banker magazine’s Most Innovative Investment Bank for Climate Change and Sustainability title, and was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the 10th year in a row. In April, Bank Technology News named Citi America’s Greenest Bank in the Money Center category.

The Computerworld Top Green-IT Organizations list is part of the IT media outlet’s annual Top Green-IT Organizations feature, which was published in the October 25 issue of Computerworld and online at Computerworld.com.

The 2010 Newsweek Green Rankings report is part of the magazine’s October 25 issue and online at Newsweek.com. The rankings are based on companies’ actual environmental footprint, policies and practices.