Wal-Mart Creates Green Jobs Council

Wal-Mart recently launched its new Green Jobs Council to bolster efforts to create more “green” jobs in the U.S.

“We believe that creating green jobs is essential to keeping the United States competitive in the global marketplace,” said Leslie Dach, executive vice president of corporate affairs and government relations for Wal-Mart. “At Wal-Mart we believe that by bringing these companies together and working collaboratively we can help develop a larger green job workforce in this country.”

Comprised of representatives from both Wal-Mart and its suppliers, the council hopes to more clearly define green job standards and develop their growth, in light of government legislation and increased consumer demand that are driving the movement.

However, decreased availability of the necessary capital to grow the program and an untrained workforce could hinder the efforts.

“To overcome both rising unemployment and dwindling natural resources, we must invest in our nation’s workforce through the development of jobs that preserve the environment for generations to come,” said Christopher Spain, chairman and chief strategy officer for HydroPoint, Data Systems, a company working on the Council. “I believe the goals of the Green Jobs Council are highly achievable.”

The Council is one part of other company-wide sustainable initiatives, including creating zero waste, being supplied 100 percent by renewable energy and selling environmentally friendly products, which should help establish a favorable environment to create more green jobs. The announcement of the group also comes on the heels of Wal-Mart’s expansion of its packaging scorecard to help consumers easily discern those products with more environmentally friendly packaging.