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GOYA Joins Climate Wise Program

Release Date: 02/03/2000
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(#00027) San Juan, Puerto Rico -- There will be less greenhouse gas emissions in the years to come as a result of an agreement signed by GOYA Foods and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. By signing the agreement, GOYA becomes the eighth company in Puerto Rico to join EPA's Climate Wise program, a voluntary program in which companies -- with technical assistance from EPA -- work to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases. Signing the Climate Wise agreement for EPA was Jeanne M.. Fox, EPA Regional Administrator, and for the company was Frank Unanue, president of GOYA of Puerto Rico. The overwhelming majority of scientists today agree that the "greenhouse effect," which is the result of the atmospheric build-up of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, is causing global temperatures to rise. Scientists predict that the results can be dramatic as climate patterns shift. Particularly important to Puerto Rico, is the affect climate change has on coastal areas, including a rising sea level and more frequent and stronger storms. "It is very gratifying to see such a well-known company as GOYA step forward and set an example for the community and for other manufacturers," said Jeanne M. Fox, EPA Regional Administrator. "It shows true leadership that this company is willing to step back and re-examine how they do business in order to improve our global environment." GOYA joins more than 560 companies and government agencies already enrolled in the Climate Wise program. It is estimated that the actions taken in the year 2000 by the Climate Wise partners will eliminate 18 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of taking 4.5 million cars off the road. In addition, the Climate Wise partners will achieve a total annual cost savings of approximately $600 million. "At GOYA we are fully committed to EPA's Climate Wise program. We have done lots of improvements and investments in our plants through the years; improving the use of energy, optimizing boiler efficiency with steam traps and insulating piping and heat generating equipment, among others," said Frank Unanue, President of GOYA Puerto Rico. "Now, and as an active member of the Climate Wise effort, we'll do more to turn energy efficiency and environmental performance into one of our corporate assets. We want a better environment for Puerto Rico and the world." "I applaud GOYA's management and I wish them the best of luck as they begin their work with EPA's Climate Wise program," Fox said. "I also urge other companies to take GOYA's example and join the Climate Wise program to help reduce the threat of greenhouse gases and global warming." The Climate Wise program is a key component of the U.S. Climate Change Action Plan developed to meet the commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Other Climate Wise partners in Puerto Rico include: Warner-Lambert, Johnson & Johnson, Bacardi, Abbott Puerto Rico Operatto, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Pharmacia & Upjohn Caribe, and Universidad Metropolitana.