Walmart preaches green

VANCOUVER — Walmart Canada will host  a Sustainability Summit Tomorrow, on Wednesday February 10, the goal of which will be to highlight "the very real business case for going green."

The giant retailer says the summit is a collaboration across industry sectors designed to "accelerate the implementation of profitable, environmentally sustainable business practices."

During the summit, which will be held in Vancouver, interested parties can get updates on Twitter, click here. .

To join the summit via webcase, go to http://tinyurl.com/walmartcgbs. 

David Suzuki will be the keynote speaker.

Other panelists who will discuss the business advantages of going green include David Labistour, CEO of Mountain Equipment Co-op; Peter Luik, president and CEO of H. J. Heinz Company; John Peoples, president and GM of SC Johnson & Son; Dave Sherman, engagement manager for Blu Skye Sustainability Consulting; Anne Tennier vice president of environmental affairs for Maple Leaf Foods; and David Cheesewright — CEO of Walmart Canada.

In October 2009, Walmart Canada Green Business Summit began its search for suitable panelists by asking participating organizations to submit case studies that demonstrate sustainable business initiatives and are also delivering to the bottom line. The panelists were chosen from over 60 applicants for their expertise in energy, waste and material management, green products and solutions, and employee green engagement.

"We were very pleased with the variety and calibre of submissions," said Andrew Pelletier, VP of corporate affairs for Walmart Canada. "These panelists will lead the morning session of the summit. By sharing their examples of sustainable business initiatives that are also good for the company, they can help lead a change in the way business is done."

More than 300 CEOs, business executives, government officials and NGOs are registered for the Walmart Canada Green Business Summit.