AHC Group Newsletter Archive
Issue: September 14, 2006
Answering Public Expectations Since 1981
AHC Group Affiliate Rutherfoord Goes Carbon Neutral
Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steve McClintic, (540) 767-4138
smcclintic@rutherfoord.com
Rutherfoord First in Insurance Industry to Go Carbon Neutral.
Roanoke, VA (August 31, 2006) — Rutherfoord, one of the nation's top 50 insurance brokers, has announced that the company is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and is the first in the U.S. insurance industry to establish a carbon neutral footprint in response to the emerging risk of climate change.
According to Thomas Rutherfoord, Chairman of the Board, "Rutherfoord is taking the lead in assisting its clients in eliminating and managing business risks that can impact their success. Given the enormity of this global issue, it is incumbent upon us to do our part to implement and assist others in sustainable business practices."
"We're beginning to see the undeniable effects that climate change has on our industry as well as the world in which we live," says Stephen Myers, Vice President and Practice Leader for Rutherfoord's Environmental Risk Management Practice. "Recent catastrophic events such as Hurricane Katrina coupled with the high price of petroleum make us all aware that we live in a fragile environment. Companies are realizing that in addition to their economic responsibilities, they have environmental and social responsibilities as well. At Rutherfoord, we see this as a healthy trend and we're proud to lead by example and be the first in our industry to take this important first step" says Myers.
The company utilized its internal environmental expertise along with climate change expert and insurance veteran, Phillip Ludvigsen, PhD, to perform a carbon footprint analysis of the company, mapping energy use in such areas as electricity and natural gas usage as well as emissions from car and air travel by its employees. Once calculated, verified emission reduction credits were purchased and officially retired by Carbonfund.org. Eric Carlson, President of Carbonfund.org, announced that "Rutherfoord is, to our knowledge, the first insurance entity to fully off-set its carbon footprint and to receive our designation of being Carbon Free™." In addition, Rutherfoord is joining EPA Climate Leaders, a voluntary program whose members are dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing energy use. Rutherfoord will be the first U.S. insurance broker to do so.
Matt LoPiccolo of Rutherfoord's Environmental Risk Management Practice adds that the process of adopting carbon neutral practices will also help the company as it offers environmental consultative risk advice to clients considering taking this voluntary step. By working with its strategic environmental consulting subsidiary, Faulkner & Flynn, Inc., the company plans to provide a variety of carbon and climate-related risk management and consulting services.
The purchase and retirement of verified emission reductions is fast becoming best business practice by leading financial companies such as HSBC. Although the insurance industry has been reporting on climate change for decades, few insurance entities have yet taken specific actions. Carbon reduction programs are accelerating worldwide as companies in Europe and Asia meet the regulatory requirements set forth by the Kyoto Protocol. Although such involvement in the U.S. is still voluntary, 29 states have now adopted some regulatory requirements to reduce or track greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbonfund.org reduces the threat of climate change by making it easy and affordable for any individual or business to reduce its carbon footprint and support climate-friendly projects. With its easy-to-use calculator, low offset cost per ton of CO2, and verified offset projects, Carbonfund.org is proving that anyone can make an impact on climate change easily and efficiently. Carbonfund.org is a 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit organization. Carbon Free™ is a registered trademark of Carbonfund.org.
From its founding in 1919 in Roanoke, VA, Rutherfoord has expanded to become the 44th largest insurance broker in the nation, according to Business Insurance, a weekly news magazine for business executives. The company, which designs and implements cost-effective domestic and international insurance programs for clients throughout the world, is a recent recipient of "Agency of the Year" from Rough Notes Magazine and has been chosen as the risk management insurer for the events surrounding Jamestown 2007, America's 400th anniversary.
For more about Rutherfoord insurance agents, brokers and consultants, see www.rutherfoord.com.
Related AHC Workshops and Publications
Come hear and meet with Steve Myers of Rutherfoord at the upcoming Sterling Planet/AHC Group co-sponsored workshop program this November 1-3 titled: The Rising Role of Renewable Energy in Corporate Strategy, in Houston, TX.
Other Featured Speakers include:
- Staples
- Pfizer
- Austin Energy
- Rutherfoord
- EPA Green Partners
- Sterling Planet
- Nike — invited
Corporate Strategy Today Issue #12
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Check out the latest groundbreaking issue of Corporate Strategy Today: Leading Corporate Strategies and Climate Change: A Few Key Business Examples, illustrating how companies are being coaxed and prodded into taking action, and strategically seizing opportunities to address climate change because it is the right thing to do for our economy, our environment, and our health.
Free Sample article: CEO Table by Erin Crotty, AHC Group Senior Associate, former Commissioner of New York State DEC, and President of The Crotty Group, LLC.
CST #12 features articles on climate change and business strategy by Joan Wales/BP; Truman Semans/Pew Center; Skiles Boyd/DTE; Steve Percy/AHC Group; and Frank E. Loy, former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs.
Here is what key business leaders have said about this issue:
Your issue has profound implications. Extraordinary articles in this particularly unique issue which COMPEL the reader.
— Darryl Vernon Poole, President of The Cambridge Institute for Applied ResearchIt's packed with information, and should be a popular issue among all corporate leaders.
— Sam Smolik, Vice President of Global Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Sustainable Development for Shell Chemical LPEach article is better than the next! It contains a wide range of important information about corporate behavior, state, and international initiatives and strategic issues facing corporate leaders in the near term.
— Suellen Keiner, Intern Executive Director for the National Resource Council of America (former ED of NAPA)