2012 Gold Medal Gala Honoring IBM
On May 13, 2012, IBM was honored as the winner of the 28th World Environment Center Gold Medal Award for its commitment to environmental sustainability through technological innovation, otherwise known as its Smarter Cities and Smarter Planet initiatives. Mr. Samuel J. Palmisano, Chairman of IBM, accepted the award on behalf of the company and thanked WEC for "this recognition of our vision and of our work."
Treating data like a "vast new natural resource," Palmisano stated, "we knew that we had the computing power and advanced analytics to turn that data into insight. The results have been very successful for our
company – and, I believe, for our clients and communities."
"This is not a theory or a prediction," he added in his acceptance speech. "It is happening today – from a smart bay in Galway, Ireland… to smarter weather prediction in Rio de Janeiro… to smarter power and water in Cyprus; to smarter food in Norway… to smarter transportation in Stockholm, Singapore and Brisbane. This list could go on. IBM has undertaken more than 2,000 Smarter Cities engagements alone."
The WEC Gold Medal Award is presented annually to a global company that has demonstrated a unique example of sustainability in business practice and is one of the most prestigious forms of recognition of a global company's ongoing commitment to the practice of sustainable development.
IBM was originally announced as the winner in early February, ahead of May's official ceremony and gala. The company was selected by an independent Jury of industry experts and academics, and this award cycle marked the first occasion that a company won the Gold Medal for a second time.
WEC President & CEO Dr. Terry F. Yosie, WEC Chairman of the Board Mr. Jeff Seabright, IBM Chairman Mr. Samuel J. Palmisano, Nestle Waters North America President & CEO Mr. Kim Jeffery, and Gold Medal Jury Chairman Dr. Joel I. Abrams before the award presentation.