As an insurance and financial services company, the environmental impacts from our core operations are limited, and are largely tied to the resources we use to operate our offices. While the majority of our office space is leased, we primarily focus our conservation efforts on the property we own. More specifically, the majority of our efforts center on Allstate's home office in Northbrook, IL., which represents approximately 2.3 million square feet of property.

In the past few years, we converted all interior ambient lighting on campus to T-8 fluorescent with electronic ballast, reducing wattage from 4 to 1.5 watts per square foot. We also converted exterior parking lot lighting and roadway lighting to Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium, increasing output and decreasing energy consumption. Our programmable temperature controls and "power downs" during heat waves helps us control our energy usage. And our air conditioning units use only HCFC or HFC, both considered environmentally inert.

The irrigation system at Allstate's headquarters campus is 100 percent self-sustained. We collect storm water in retention ponds and take advantage of existing wells to irrigate our land. Consequently, Allstate doesn't consume any of the city's water supply for this purpose.

Allstate maintains a smoke-free environment within all Company facilities. Allstate also conducts Indoor Air Quality sampling on a biennial basis at Allstate-owned and -leased facilities in accordance with Allstate's Air Quality Testing Program.

Allstate enables and encourages responsible waste management. Recycling programs that exist within Allstate include paper waste, plastics, polystyrene, aluminum, toner cartridges and carpet. We currently have an electronic hardware disposal program and HVAC equipment disposal program. We also partner with outside organizations to responsibly dispose of items such as batteries, fluorescent lamps, PCB light ballasts and similar items at Allstate's corporate headquarters campus.

In 2006, Allstate decided to migrate its annual Corporate Social Responsibility report entirely online. We also opted to print our Summary Annual Report on 100 percent recycled post-consumer waste paper, as certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). We also selected a sustainable, FSC-certified printer to produce the report. As a result, the printing of the Summary Annual Report resulted in virtually zero volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions released into the atmosphere.

Allstate sources our goods and services from a variety of suppliers, many of them with environmental initiatives of their own. For example, the steel used in our furniture supplier's metal products contains 25-30 percent recycled content and the seating fabric is made from 100 percent recyclable materials. Our installation of a “cool carpet” contributed to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and our purchases in 2005 from that supplier permanently retired 832 tons of certified carbon dioxide credits.

Located in Wheeling, IL., APCC is the largest in-house printing plant in the country. It is used to produce various forms, the invoices we send our customers every month and additional materials needed throughout the company. To help manage the impact of its operations on the environment, APCC recycles 100 percent of paper that does not contain private or sensitive information. The center also uses soy-based ink, water-soluble prepress and press room solvents, as well as paper and cartons manufactured from recycled materials.

As a lender, Allstate requires its borrowers to comply with environmental laws and expects borrowers to engage in sound environmental management practices. Allstate requests site assessment in compliance with the current industry standard, and also reviews relevant issues relating to flood plains, wetlands, radon, asbestos, lead-based paint and indoor air quality/mold control. Visit our investment section for additional investment considerations.

Allstate is registered with Clean Air Counts, a greater Chicago six-county initiative that aims to reduce ozone-causing emissions, thereby improving air quality and enabling economic development. We are also a participating member of the Climate Resolve initiative within the Business Roundtable, a national organization of chief executive officers. The organization's goal is to commit 100 percent of its members to reducing greenhouse gas intensity.

In 2006, Allstate became a corporate sponsor of “Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet.” This public art project in Chicago will use public art, Internet information, education and events to increase awareness of and promote solutions to global warming.