Presentation to the Environmental Concerns Committee Charlotte Chamber March 2008

What is the Problem? Eight local counties violate the national standard for ozone – “non-attainment” Violation of air quality standards Puts federal transportation funds at risk Complicates regional efforts to attract and retain the best employers and employees Negatively affects our health Makes permitting difficult for industry

What’s Causing It? 6% 14% 24% 55%

Purpose To test what organizational approach and implementation elements and methods will produce quantifiable reductions in ozone-forming pollutants Determine the effect of CEO/Designee commitment to a program on employee participation

2006 Goal: To secure participation by 50 of the largest companies in the 8-county Metrolina Region 52 Employer Partners 56,283 Employees Reached Recruitment by business leaders and Top/Down corporate support were critical to success

2007 RESULTS - Expansion Outcomes 30 New Partners 20,000 New Employees Reached Secured Partners in all 8 counties.

2006 Goal: To encourage worksite/employee participation 2,821 Commuters reporting commute type (5%) 9000 New alternative trips reported

2006 Goal: To motivate employers to change their business practices to lower emissions. Operational programs made important contributions to the pollution reduced and provided a necessary option for many businesses

2007 RESULTS – Commute Reductions More than tripled the vehicle miles reduced already! Over 75,000 trips have been avoided in ’07

Conclusions CAW succeeded as a pilot program, demonstrating what organizational approaches and implementation elements work CAW generated a high degree of enthusiasm and business support CAW motivated people and businesses to alter behavior CAW achieved quantifiable emission reductions

CAW 2008 Continue to apply what was learned Maintain continuity of the partnership between government and business Build on the momentum of 2006 and 2007 Sustain and grow business support base, maintaining 88 companies and recruiting additional companies Target operational emission reduction opportunities “Privatize” Clean Air Works! in 2008, developing a business-led program