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The Governor also announced the Green Resource Guide issued by the California Film Commission that provides production companies with information and tools to reduce their environmental footprint.

Governor Schwarzenegger said:
"I would like to congratulate Sony Pictures for taking these major environmental steps – this is exactly the kind of action I have been talking about and creating since I took office. We want to show the entire world that here in California, we know how to protect the environment and grow the economy at the same time."

The project, which includes 220,000 square feet of new office space, along with a new employee commons, will be constructed according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines established by the US Green Building Council in order to help combat climate change and conserve natural resources. More than 95 percent of all construction waste is being recycled. The project will also include drought tolerant and native plants to create water efficient landscaping, low-flow toilets, waterless urinals, motion detector lights and low energy bulbs to conserve water and electricity, and a new energy efficient power plant to reduce CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases. Construction materials include 100% non-toxic carpeting, paint, sealants, adhesives and wall coverings.

Sony Pictures will also launch a pilot solar energy program with the installation of solar photovoltaic cells on the roof of the existing Jimmy Stewart Building.

The Green Resource Guide released by the California Film Commission includes a new Web-based resource to promote environmentally-conscious film production.

Governor Schwarzenegger added:
"The Green Resource Guide marries two of the things California does best – making great movies and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We have been pioneers in aerospace, Silicon Valley and biotechnology. With the launch of this great new guide, I'm pleased that another of our signature industries joins the next wave of California's economy."

The Green Resource Guide provides production companies with information and tools to reduce their environmental footprint, while saving them the time and expense of conducting their own environmental research.

From pre-production through the final wrap and post-production, the Green Resource Guide supplies everything from handy tips on green office practices to useful contacts with green vendors. For set construction, there are links to sustainably harvested lumber; for caterers, lists of food banks that accept surplus meals; and for companies shooting on location, information on eco-friendly bio-diesel generators that operate 70% cleaner.

California's Track Record
The Governor has made resource efficiency and green buildings a priority in his administration, ordering new energy-use standards and creating a Green Building Initiative and his cabinet-level Green Action Team to implement it.

In December 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order S-20-04 calling for the State to lead the way in designing, operating and re-engineering its buildings to make them the most resource-efficient, energy-efficient and healthful public buildings in the nation. The Executive Order also calls for the State to reduce its electricity demand by 10 percent by 2010 and by 20 percent by 2015.

To achieve his ambitious goals, Governor Schwarzenegger created the Green Action Team, a Cabinet-level group working to implement the Green Building Initiative. Led by State and Consumer Services Agency Secretary Rosario Marin, the team's goal is to oversee and direct the State's efforts. The Green Building Initiative will reduce carbon emissions by 500,000 metric tons by 2010 and 1.8 million metric tons by 2020. California is also actively working to deploy fuel cell, wind and biomass solutions.

So far, nine California state government buildings, with more than 2 million sq. feet, are LEED certified. More than 100 buildings (5 million sq. ft.) are currently planned and budgeted for LEED Silver certification.

All new, renovated and built-to-suit leased state buildings will meet LEED standards. California is also making substantial upgrades to the state's older buildings to reduce their energy use by replacing HVAC system, installing new lighting and other improvements.

UN Meeting
Yesterday, the Governor joined Al Gore at the United Nations to highlight the need for action on climate change.  He said: "One responsibility we all have is action. Action, action, action."

One notable absentee from the meeting was the one man in America who could really influence America's emissions: George Bush.  Unlike Schwarzenegger Bush is reluctant to commit to international agreement on targets, preferring an aspirational approach to targets on a country by country basis.