MNN - Mother Nature Network

Arkansas-based Wal-Mart is the largest retailer in the world.  The company is also one of the largest employers with a work force of more than 2 million people on a global level.  The company has received awards for its employment of individuals with disabilities and is now working on gaining recognition for its focus on creating a new, green job workforce through the creation of the Wal-Mart Green Jobs Council

"At an inaugural meeting of the Wal-Mart Green Jobs Council, participants identified their top catalysts for creating green jobs, including government policies, executive leadership for sustainability programs, and market drivers such as increased customer demand. Top barriers identified by the group include a lack of a trained workforce and lack of access to capital, especially in the current economic environment."  Source: Wal-Mart  

Wal-Mart held the first meeting of the Green Jobs Council, which included representatives from General Electric, HydroPointData Systems, Thermastor, Zurn and more than 25 additional suppliers.  The company has also purchased wind energy to supply 15% of the required power to Texas-based Wal-Mart stores.  

The Green Jobs council is just the latest in a line of sustainability measures that the company has taken including a goal to reduce the use of plastic bags by 33%, utilizing more renewable energy and increasing their product line to include more eco-friendly products.  The Council will meet again early in the new year.

 

Photo by Wal-Mart