First green group opens near Wal-Mart

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The greening of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will get another push when the first national environmental advocacy group opens an office near the headquarters of the world’s biggest retailer.

Environmental Defense said Tuesday it plans to base a project manager in Bentonville later this year. Hundreds of Wal-Mart suppliers have set up offices over the years to nurture closer ties with the retailer, but no advocacy groups yet, according to local business experts.

The group is one of several environmental organizations that have been working with Wal-Mart on a host of changes under a green initiative launched last year by Chief Executive Lee Scott.

On the eve of a visit to a Wal-Mart environmental conference by former vice president and anti-global warming campaigner Al Gore, Environmental Defense said it believes Wal-Mart has taken credible steps.

“We think their actions demonstrate they are serious about sustainability and the environment,” said Environmental Defense Executive Vice President David Yarnold.

“Being geographically close to Wal-Mart will increase the number of opportunities to advise them on environmental issues,” Yarnold told The Associated Press.

Started in 1967 as the Environmental Defense Fund, the group’s efforts include partnering with major corporations to improve their environmental practices in ways that make business sense, including helping FedEx introduce hybrid-electric delivery trucks that cut fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by one-third. It says it accepts no donations from its corporate partners.