CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation (NYSE:ETN) today announced it has joined the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), an invitation-only coalition of 200 leading global companies working to advance sustainable development through advocacy on critical issues of economic growth, ecological balance and social progress. The affiliation underscores Eaton’s commitment to implementing sustainable practices in its own business and advancing environmentally friendly technologies to help global customers manage power more efficiently, effectively and safely.

“With this new alliance, we further our commitment to being a global leader in protecting the environment, our people and communities everywhere we operate.”

“Eaton Corporation understands that sustainable development makes good business sense and that environmental resources need to be properly valued and utilized. This is increasingly important in our resource-constrained world where a Green Race has started among companies and governments to supply services and products that are sustainable. We are delighted to welcome Eaton to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development," said WBCSD President, Björn Stigson.

Widely recognized as a leading business voice on sustainable development issues, the WBCSD works with member corporations, governments and non-governmental organizations to encourage dialogue and action in four focus areas: business role in society, energy and climate, development and ecosystems.

“Eaton’s focus on sustainability in all aspects of our business has earned our company recognition by leading organizations around the world, and we are proud to be invited to join our peer companies in supporting the WBCSD’s impactful work,” said Alexander M. Cutler, Eaton chairman and chief executive officer. “With this new alliance, we further our commitment to being a global leader in protecting the environment, our people and communities everywhere we operate.”

Cutler is the lead council member for Eaton; Yannis Tsavalas, president - Europe, Middle East and Africa, serves as council delegate, and Joseph P. Wolfsberger, senior vice president - environment, health and safety, as liaison.

Eaton operations worldwide adhere to a single set of standards for policies such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water consumption, waste treatment, product quality, human resource practices and ethics. The company’s sustainable technologies include industry-leading energy-efficient electrical equipment – including SF6-free medium voltage switchgear -- that make buildings and data centers greener; hybrid vehicle power systems that save fuel and reduce emissions; and hydraulics for wind, solar and wave power that help harness our renewable resources for sustainable growth.

Eaton is ranked among the world’s top six diversified industrial companies for sustainability leadership by Sustainable Asset Management 2010 Yearbook and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the past four years by Ethisphere Magazine. Newsweek Magazine named Eaton 16th among America’s 500 largest companies and first in its category in the magazine’s 2010 Green Rankings. As a member of the Business Roundtable’s Climate RESOLVE initiative, Eaton is maintaining its pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18 percent, indexed to sales, by 2012.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development based in Geneva, Switzerland, is a CEO-led, global coalition of some 200 companies committed to sustainable development. Its aim is to be a catalyst for change within business and society. The WBCSD provides a platform to share best practices and advocate business positions on sustainability issues, working with governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations. Members are drawn from more than 35 countries and represent annual revenues of US $7 trillion. The WBCSD also benefits from a network of 60 national and regional business councils and partner organizations, a majority of which are based in developing countries.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2009 sales of $11.9 billion. Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries.