Sara Lee: commended for Climate Change Disclosure

Downers Grove / IL. (slc) Sara Lee Corporation has been commended by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), which represents 534 institutional investors with 64 trillion USD in assets under management, for its approach to climate change disclosure. Sara Lee is featured in CDP´s «Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index». This index, a key component of CDP´s annual S+P 500 Report, highlights the constituent companies within the S+P 500 Index which have displayed the most professional approach to corporate governance in respect of climate change disclosure practices. Companies are scored on their climate change disclosure and high scores indicate good internal data management and understanding of climate change related issues affecting the company.

The index, compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of CDP, provides an evaluation tool for institutional investors. In 2010, it comprises 53 constituents of the S+P 500 Index based on analysis of the responses to CDP´s 2010 questionnaire which focused on greenhouse gas emissions, emissions reduction targets and risks and opportunities associated with climate change.

«We are very pleased to be recognized in the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index», said Audra Karalius, vice president of sustainability, environment and safety for Sara Lee Corporation. «Sara Lee has taken an active role in reducing our overall impact on the environment. While we are proud of our results to date, we know we have more work to do and we look forward to continuing our efforts on this important issue».

Paul Dickinson, Chief Executive of the Carbon Disclosure Project, commented, «The Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index recognizes companies that demonstrate good internal data management practices for understanding greenhouse gas emissions, including energy use. Companies that make this index have also demonstrated clear consideration of how climate change is and will impact their business. As companies´ understanding of climate change issues grows, they are better placed to take positive action to manage and mitigate its risks».

About: The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is an independent not-for-profit organization holding the largest database of primary corporate climate change information in the world. Thousands of organizations across the world´s largest economies now measure and disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and climate change strategies through CDP, in order that they can set reduction targets and make performance improvements. This data is gathered on behalf of 534 institutional investors, with combined assets under management in excess of 64 trillion USD, as well as purchasing organizations and government bodies and made available for integration into business and policy decision making.