October 13, 2009 - Audi AG has endowed the new Audi Environmental Foundation, an organization designed by the company to focus exclusively on environmentally minded pursuits for the common good, with a $5 million kitty.

The Foundation was established to unify the company's globally splintered environmental initiatives, bringing them together under one department for maximum efficiencies. The company hopes that the move will allow them to streamline brand communication around the many sustainablility and environmental initiatives they have as well as focusing spend. While the Foundation will have freedom in terms of spend, Audi believes that they can create more sustainable operations by integrating the foundations work into their own corporate culture.

Audi has recently announced other sustainability initiatives as well, including reducing fleet emissions 20% by 2012 and utilizing waste heat in its headquarters. Check out some of the other Audi of America sustainability initiatives here.