Southface Presents Argon Award for Leadership in Sustainability to Cox Enterprises

Southface, the Southeast’s nonprofit leader in promoting sustainable homes, workplaces and communities, presented its 2015 Argon Award for leadership in sustainability to Cox Enterprises for its Cox Conserves sustainability program. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed presented the award at the Southface Visionary Dinner.

“As the 2014 Argon Award honoree, I am pleased to be able to present this year’s award,” Mayor Reed said. “Cox has certainly led by example when it comes to demonstrating a commitment to the environment – so much so that its commitment to sustainability has its own brand – Cox Conserves.”

Cox Enterprises is a leading communications, media and automotive services company with 50,000 employees across the nation. Launched in 2007 by Chairman Jim Kennedy, Cox Conserves focuses on reducing waste and energy consumption, as well as conserving water.

Cox has set aggressive sustainability goals, such as sending zero waste to landfill by 2024 and being carbon and water neutral by 2044. Linking the company’s results in these efforts with employee engagement and satisfaction is another critical component often lacking in corporate sustainability programs. The Cox Conserves Heroes program brings local efforts to the community-at-large by honoring environmental volunteers and making donations to their nonprofits of choice. The program encourages a broader conversation about conservation, natural resources and outdoor spaces.

The award was accepted by Cox Enterprises' Senior Vice President of Finance Lacey Lewis, who oversees the company's Cox Conserves sustainability program. "Cox is honored to receive Southface's Argon Award," said Lewis. "We have a common belief that it is essential to act today to ensure a sustainable tomorrow. Through Cox Conserves, we are reducing our impact on the environment and encouraging our employees, partners, suppliers and customers to engage in eco-friendly behavior."

The Argon Award is presented annually by Southface to recognize leadership in advancing sustainability. Each Argon Award winner is selected by a knowledgeable panel of sustainability experts whose goal is to identify individuals and organizations who seek innovative solutions to environmental challenges. The award itself is named for the gas “argon” which is the non-toxic, non-reactive, clear and odorless gas that fills the space between the glass panes in high-performance windows.

About the Visionary Dinner
The 17th annual Visionary Dinner, Southface’s annual fundraising gala, was sponsored by program patrons Cox Enterprises, The Home Depot Foundation, The Ray C. Anderson Foundation and UPS Foundation; legacy partner hole Foods Market; and other leading Atlanta businesses. More than 400 business and sustainability professionals attended. Steve Curwood, host of NPR’s Living on Earth series, delivered the keynote address.

About Southface
Southface is the Southeast's nonprofit leader in the promotion of sustainable homes, workplaces and communities through education, research, advocacy and technical assistance. Learn more at www.southface.org.

About Cox Conserves

Launched in 2007 by Chairman Jim Kennedy, Cox Conserves is Cox Enterprises' national sustainability program. Cox Conserves focuses on reducing waste and energy consumption, as well as conserving water. The program engages each of the company's major subsidiaries (Cox Communications, Cox Automotive and Cox Media Group) and encourages Cox Enterprises' 50,000 employees and their families to engage in eco-friendly practices.

The company's sustainability goals are to send zero waste to landfill by 2024 and become carbon and water neutral by 2044. The company also presents the Cox Conserves Sustainability Survey, a nationwide survey that examines sustainability opportunities and challenges for small and medium-sized businesses.

For further information: Marci Reed at mreed@southface.org or Elizabeth Olmstead at Elizabeth.olmstead@coxinc.com