The list is a survey across American businesses that measures new, unique, and “compelling” operation methods and tools to better a company’s environmental footprint.

The EDF lists Intel as having one of the greenest workforces. How do they do it especially amidst this economy and among being a producer of energy consuming products and raw materials?

One of Intel’s first green acts was to empower employees to live and work green. Next they set up a system to measure green progress on three levels: efficient products, efficient business operations, and other environmental stewardship efforts.

To motivate employees, Intel tied working green to earning green. This inspired engineers, analysts and administrative staff to provide the company with energy efficient products, energy saving software, and commuting options.

How can Intel afford their tree-hugger employees? The bonus package is structured on first, Intel’s net income; so they are not promising only to employees that they can’t deliver. Hey state and federal governments, did you catch that? Next, employees work toward achieving green points like they would development or sales points for a total bonus rating.

It is efforts like these that earned Intel a place on the innovations list. “Based on Intel’s own external benchmarking and the Environmental Defense Fund’s research, it still appears relatively rare for companies to link a portion of employee or executive compensation to the achievement of sustainability metrics/goals,” explained Suzanne Fallender, CSR Communications Manager (personal communication).

Money, especially in a down economy is highly motivating. But, employees have other motivations at work including bettering the environment. Intel employees bought carbon offsets and worked to install solar panels. Yes this can earn one monetary bonus points, and it also earns one green points with Mother Earth and future generations.  

In finding ways to green getting to and from work, eating at work, and actually working, employees can offset these tough economic times. Corporate responsibility takes a new form from company-wide employees like the interns, janitorial staff, product engineers, and sales associates; it’s not just an upper management responsibility anymore.

The message this Earth Day moves beyond conserving money by conserving natural resources, toward earning green by being green. And, making the best of the best list isn’t so bad either. Happy Earth Day!