Posted: May 12, 2005

Triathlon: Clif Bar helps make the Accenture Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon climate neutral

BERKELEY, Calif. - Clif Bar Inc., a nationally recognized leader in the fight against global warming, is providing environmental support to help make the Accenture Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon the first-ever climate neutral triathlon. The nationally-televised event is one of the nation's most popular triathlons.

Clif Bar is joining race promoter IMG and renewable energy firm NativeEnergy in supporting the construction of non-polluting wind farms to offset the carbon emissions - the main cause of global warming - that Alcatraz will generate. That means any energy used for the June 12th race in San Francisco - including participant travel and energy associated with athlete and sponsor accommodations - will have a zero net impact on global warming.

Specifically, Clif Bar is funding IMG's purchase of enough renewable energy credits from NativeEnergy's Windbuilders program to offset 2.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide - or all of the greenhouse gas emissions created by Escape from Alcatraz. The energy credits will help finance the development of new wind farms on Native American land, providing an environmental benefit equivalent to taking 180 cars off the road for a year.

To further reduce the environmental impact of the world-renowned triathlon, Clif Bar is partnering with IMG to make organic cotton t-shirts for sale to race participants and spectators, recycle trash and compost food, and use recycled paper products at vendor and lavatory stations.

"In addition to skill, stamina and desire, athletes need clean air and a healthy environment for peak performance," said Bryan Cole, Northern California field marketing manager for Clif Bar Inc., whose energy bar and energy gel products are the official bar and gel of the race. "As a company that creates food to sustain active, outdoor people of all kinds, we believe it's our responsibility to be part of the solution for global warming and preservation of the overall natural environment."

The environmental focus of Escape from Alcatraz is at the forefront of an emerging trend for major sporting events. The 2005 Winter X Games Nine limited environmental impact by using wind power and carbon offsets. The NFL recently said it will plant acres of trees in Detroit to offset carbon emissions caused by traffic at next year's Super Bowl. A green initiative also is underway for the 2006 World Cup soccer finals in Germany.

Based in Berkeley, Calif., Clif Bar Inc. is a leading maker of energy and nutrition foods committed to sustainability from the field to the final product. The company has received local, state and national awards for its environmental efforts, which include multiple initiatives to combat and educate the public about global warming. NativeEnergy aids businesses in fighting global warming and climate change. IMG produces the Accenture Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in addition to many other sporting events worldwide.

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