June 4, 2008 – Leading companies including Chase, Target, and Dell are spearheading a major public awareness campaign that is being billed as the largest-ever consumer engagement effort to combat climate change.

Dubbed Together, the program is a partnership between companies, nonprofits, and select U.S. cities to encourage consumers to find practical ways to save both energy and money. Together is an initiative the Climate Group, nonprofit organization dedicated to building public-private partnerships that address global warming.

Together first launched in the U.K. in 2007. The program has now been expanded to seven major U.S. cities, with eventual plans for an international roll-out to Australia, China, and India, according to Dr. Steve Howard, CEO of the Climate Group.

Program partners include Chase, Dell, Lenovo, MySpace, Nestlé Waters, Target, and Timberland; U.S. cities including New York and San Francisco; and nonprofit organizations including Climate Counts, Global Footprint Network, National Wildlife Federation, and the Center for a New American Dream. MTV, News Corporation, and Time Warner have signed on as media partners.

The campaign partners have agreed to promote products, services, and initiatives that yield measurable energy savings. A tool on the campaign website will show consumers a running tally of carbon and dollar savings that result from the program. (Independent certifier Environmental Resources Management will verify those carbon savings.)

As part of the Together campaign, Target has made reusable shopping bags and energy-efficient lightbulbs available at all of its stores.