Warming Up to Reducing Greenhouse Gases

"A key element is to prove the point that these types of programs can be very effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Richard J. Guimond, Motorola's vice president for environment, health and safety. "We've always believed market incentive programs are likely to be the most effective at stimulating reductions and doing it in the way that is flexible so you can do it in the most cost-effective way."

For all the voluntary efforts underway, environmental activists say that only a federal cap on emissions will ultimately rein in greenhouse gas emissions.

"Both political leaders and businesses around the country increasingly recognize that mandatory limits on global warming pollution are going to happen sooner or later," said Daniel Lashof, science director of the climate center of the Natural Resources Defense Council, a national environmental group. "The question is: Are we smart enough to do it sooner so businesses can have the planning horizon needed to make the transition to cleaner energy?"