As a part of its continued commitment to sustainable practices, Moline, Ill.-based Deere & Co. last week announced its participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leaders program, pledging to further reduce its corporate-wide greenhouse gas emissions.

Launched in 2002, Climate Leaders is a voluntary industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies. Partners set a corporate-wide greenhouse gas reduction goal and inventory their emissions to measure progress.

“John Deere joins EPA Climate Leaders to demonstrate a continued commitment to environmental stewardship as we implement strategies that help our businesses, customers and partners find solutions to reducing their environmental footprint and preserving natural resources,” said Laurie Zelnio, director, safety, environment and standards at Deere & Co.

John Deere introduced an energy efficiency program at its North American units in 1972. Between 1972 and 2006, Deere's energy conservation programs have reduced its total greenhouse gas emissions 63 percent per production ton. Besides tracking and finding ways to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from its operations, John Deere's strategy to address climate change encompasses product design and research and development.

For more information about Climate Leaders, visit http://www.epa.gov/climateleaders.