The Climate Group is a British-based NGO that works to cut greenhouse gas emissions. It has put out a new report that details the experiences of 22 companies; five of them, including Dupont, British Telecom, and IBM, have cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent or more, with combined savings of more than $5.5 billion from improved energy efficiency, fuel switching, and reduced waste.

The report also says that the UK has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions 15 percent below 1990 levels–below the Kyoto target–without ruining that country’s economy, and that Germany’s promotion of renewable energy and improved efficiency has created 450,000 new jobs.

Wasn’t it the second debate when President Bush said he didn’t support Kyoto because it would cost jobs? John Kerry doesn’t support Kyoto either, and voted against it in the Senate in 1997. It would be nice to see some creative thinking from both sides on the savings that can result from improved energy efficiency, which as The Climate Group shows can be about more than just personal virtue.