SSV Project Goals: forums | reporting links | recognition | incentive funds

SSV's goal is to improve environmental management and resource conservation in the Silicon Valley through the creation of a Silicon Valley Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS identified six top environmental pressures in the region.

SSV's regional goal is to reduce CO2 emissions in the Silicon Valley to 20% below their 1990 levels by the year 2010. This compares to the Kyoto Protocol's goal of a 5% reduction over the same period, and to Governor Schwarzenegger's recent call for California to reduce emissions to 2000 levels by 2010, to 1990 levels by 2020, and to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

SSV's 20% reduction target was announced publicly in April 2003.  A visionary group of organizations and companies (pledging partners) have officially committed to join SSV in its efforts to work toward reaching this ambitious goal.

SSV facilitates strategies to reduce CO2 emissions through increased energy and fuel efficiency, and the use of renewable sources of energy. 

To measure progress towards the pledged goals, SSV partners report their progress via reporting tools.

SSV hosts quarterly Educational Forums at which SSV partners share stories of success and lessons learned, and resource organizations offer information on approaches to CO2 reductions. Before the presentations and during breaks, participants can visit informational table displays, and meet with fellow SSV participants to share experiences one-on-one.

Each Forum centers around a common theme, and presentations have included topics such as “Green Power Options,” "Saving 40% of Energy Use and $1 Million in One year,” “Energy Efficiency and Peak Demand Programs that Work,” and many others. The agendas and presentations from past Educational Forums are available.

SSV welcomes Forum sponsors. Sponsors are given a table for display, and the Forum program displays each sponsor's logo.

For information about upcoming Forums, see the Calendar. Educational Forums are open to the public.

SSV encourages participants to make voluntary pledges to reduce CO2 and annually report progress towards meeting those individualized goals. 

SSV includes all pledging partners on its website and in the annual report, nominates them for environmental awards as progress is made and seeks press coverage. Partners are also encouraged to present at forums and share best practices at meetings. SSV recognizes the efforts and achievements of individual partners and the members as a group as much as possible.

Through an agreement with PG&E, energy efficiency incentive funds are available to qualifying SSV Partners and Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) members. Read the SVLG EnergyWatch flyer for more details.