Greening of Corporate America Report Available Online

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. (Map) - Now available online, Siemens and McGraw-Hill Construction's "2009 Greening of Corporate America" report shows that corporate America has in fact integrated standard sustainability practices, including recycling, green building, employee engagement, and partnering with non-profits into their cultures and everyday operations. The report reveals that corporations across the U.S. continue to accelerate sustainability efforts and increase efficiencies as standard operating procedure. In fact, the percentage of firms at the highest levels of engagement doubles over the past three years, growing from 18% off firms to 37%.

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Commissioned by the Building Technologies Division of Siemens Industry, Inc., the new report builds on data gathered for a similar 2006 study also conducted by McGraw-Hill Construction Research & Analytics. Tagged "The pathway to sustainability--from strategy to action," the 2009 report offers comparative statistics, trend analysis, and thought-leader interviews with corporate sustainability officers at Microsoft, AT&T, and Owens Corning.

To obtain your free copy and assess your own organization's level of Corporate Sustainability Commitment, visit: http://www.us.sbt.siemens.com/siemensleed/greenresearch.html

When Siemens and McGraw Hill Construction concluded its study for "The Greening of Corporate America" SmartMarket(TM) Report in late 2006, research demonstrated that a fundamental shift was occurring in the attitudes and practices of our nation's leading corporations when it came to the greening of their operations and their role as active stewards of the environment. The groundbreaking study indicated that corporate America was approaching a tipping point, one in where the nation's most prominent business leaders were beginning to embrace sustainability and energy efficiency and make it an integral part of their corporate strategy--more the rule, rather than the exception.

The results are revealing, and the 2009 study's findings confirm that the leaders of our country's largest and most influential organizations are firmly committed to sustainability as a strategic imperative. Their commitment - to use resources more efficiently, to reduce the impact of their facilities and operations on the environment, and to attract and retain the best employees - is clear.

"Despite the recession, firms continue to invest in sustainable practices and are incorporating them into business their strategies at an escalating pace," said Building Technologies' Brad Haeberle, vice president and Sustainability Council chair. "Our goal with the study was to track corporate America's progress in moving along the sustainability path and to understand how far companies have evolved."

Corporate America is embracing the movement and its methodologies are evolving. Siemens and McGraw Hill are supporting this ongoing dialogue with companies through its conference session "Corporate Sustainability: A view from the C-Suite of Corporate America and an update to the Siemens/McGraw Hill Construction Landmark 'Greening of Corporate America' Study," at Greenbuild 2009.

Highlights include:

-- The economic crisis has supported, rather than deterred, sustainability activity; 57% of those polled believe sustainability practices are either unaffected or aided by the down economy. -- Three out of four firms view sustainability as consistent with their profit missions. They expect that green practices tied to core business strategies will reduce energy costs (75%), retain and attract customers (70%), provide market differentiation (64%), and serve the financial performance of the company (58%).

"It is exciting to see what a difference three years can make," said Harvey M. Bernstein, Vice President of Industry Analytics, Alliances & Strategic Initiatives at McGraw-Hill Construction. "Our first report with Siemens in 2006 tracked the rise of the green movement, and today we see the substantial changes occurring in the U.S. as most CEOs recognize the business value sustainability provides. Despite the recession, firms are investing in sustainable practices and incorporating them into business strategies."

About Siemens:

Building Technologies

A division of Siemens Industry, Inc. (SII), Building Technologies (BT) Division is a leading provider of energy and environmental solutions, building controls, electrical distribution equipment, fire safety and security systems solutions. BT's solutions enable America's buildings to be more comfortable, secure and environmentally friendly as well as less costly to operate. With a U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove, Ill., BT employs 7,400 people and provides a full range of services and solutions from more than 100 locations coast-to-coast. Worldwide, the company has 28,000 employees and operates from more than 500 locations in 51 countries. The Building Technologies Division posted worldwide revenues of $9.02 billion in fiscal 2008. www.usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies

Siemens Industry

Siemens Industry, Inc. (SII) is the U.S. affiliate of Siemens' global Industry Sector business--the world's leading supplier of production, transportation and building technology solutions. The company's integrated hardware and software technologies enable comprehensive industry-specific solutions for industrial and infrastructure providers to increase their productivity, sustainability and profitability. The Industry Sector includes six divisions: Building Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility, Drive Technologies and OSRAM SYLVANIA. With nearly 222,000 Siemens Industry Sector employees worldwide, the Industry Sector posted a worldwide profit of $5.82 billion on revenues of $57 billion in fiscal 2008. www.usa.siemens.com/Industry