Jan. 25, 2008 -- In a recent speech to more than 7,000 store managers, Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott expanded on his company's commitment, first laid out in 2005, to take action on energy efficiency, ethical sourcing, and affordable health care.

"What began 27 months ago as a commitment from the top of our company, is now a commitment from the heart of our company," Scott said.

Scott laid out a new goal of working with suppliers to make Wal-Mart's most energy-intensive products 25% more energy efficient within three years. He also said the company would take the lead on informing customers about the energy required to make and use more energy-intensive products.

In addition, Scott announced that Wal-Mart will launch a retail-industry effort to improve social, ethical, and environmental standards in suppliers' factories. Wal-Mart will be working with other retailers and consumer goods network CIES on the new initiative, which will work toward requiring suppliers to meet specific environmental, social, and quality standards, certifying supplier compliance with those standards, and favoring suppliers that meet them.

Finally, Scott highlighted Wal-Mart's efforts in making prescriptions more affordable, citing the company's $4 prescription program in the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Brazil. "But we have more opportunities to make a difference in health care for both our associates and our customers," Scott said. Wal-Mart is going to focus next on e-prescribing, electronic health records, and helping employers better manage their pharmacy benefit programs, according to Scott.