Knoll Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 10.4%, Two Years Ahead of Schedule; Credits Chicago Climate Exchange for Structure, Education that Contributed to Success

EAST GREENVILLE, Pa., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — –Knoll (NYSE: KNL) today announced that it has reached its 2010 goal of an additional 2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over its Phase 1 results as part of its program with the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). In Phase 1 of the CCX program, initiated in 2006, Knoll achieved an 8.8% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions over the 1998-2001 baseline. Knoll, an active member of CCX, has used its CCX partnership to guide its climate change program, educate its sales force and associates in its manufacturing facilities and set the standard its operations managers use to achieve the company’s reduction of greenhouse gases.

“We are proud to announce these results, which stem from our close collaboration with the Chicago Climate Exchange and the strong involvement of all Knoll associates,” said Andrew Cogan, CEO, Knoll. “This strong effort to reduce our impact on the environment is part of our long-standing commitment to sustainability in our products and our operations.”

Reaching the 2010 reduction goal means that over the five year period, beginning in 2003, Knoll avoided 10.4% of expected greenhouse gas emissions, as compared to the baseline emissions of 1998-2001. During this period Knoll significantly increased it sales and operating profits, demonstrating that economic growth and environmental responsibility can be achieved simultaneously.

In November 2007 Knoll announced that it had successfully completed Phase 1 of the CCX greenhouse gas reduction requirements, achieving an 8.8% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions over the 1998-2001 baseline. This exceeded the required 4% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions in the Phase 1 period by 4.8%.

Knoll used many different tactics to reduce its environmental footprint in the short time frame, which were augmented by employee education and engagement around these issues. Examples of environmental best practices used include: using clean technologies; retrofitting lighting in plants and warehouses; auditing compressed air systems to eliminate leaks; collecting material dust more efficiently; and using alternative/renewable energy sources.

In addition to its legally binding commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions under the CCX cap and trade scheme, the Company publicly committed to these goals through the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in September 2006.

Knoll, with its long history of environmental stewardship, continues to lead the contract furniture industry in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Richard L. Sandor, Chairman and CEO, Chicago Climate Exchange. “Their accomplishments, under the strict and legally binding compliance standards of CCX, place them on the leading edge of companies using the exchange to manage their greenhouse gas emissions.”

About Knoll

Since 1938, Knoll has been recognized internationally for creating workplace and residential furnishings that inspire, evolve and endure. Today, our commitment to modern design, our understanding of the workplace and our dedication to sustainable design has yielded a unique portfolio of products that respond and adapt to changing needs. Knoll is aligned with the U.S. Green Building Council and Canadian Green Building Council and can help companies, healthcare organizations and educational institutions achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED(R)) workplace certification. Knoll is the contract furniture industry’s first member of the Chicago Climate Exchange and is the founding sponsor of the World Monuments Fund Modernism at Risk program.

About Chicago Climate Exchange

Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) is the world’s first and North America’s only legally binding rules-based greenhouse gas emissions allowance trading system, as well as the world’s only global system for emissions trading based on all six greenhouse gases. CCX Members are leaders in greenhouse gas management and represent all sectors of the global economy, as well as public sector innovators. Greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved through CCX are the only reductions in North America being made through a legally binding compliance regime, providing independent third party verification by FINRA and price transparency. The founder, Chairman and CEO of CCX is economist and financial innovator Dr. Richard L. Sandor, who was named a Hero of the Planet by Time magazine in 2002 for his founding of CCX, and in 2007 as the “father of carbon trading.”

About the Clinton Global Initiative

The Clinton Global Initiative is a non-partisan catalyst for action, bringing together a community of global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. As a non-profit, 501(c)(3) endeavor of the William J. Clinton Foundation, CGI draws strength from a highly diverse membership base that represents the full spectrum of political, ideological, religious, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds. Members include current and former heads of state, top business executives, preeminent scholars, and representatives of key non-governmental organizations working together for a common cause.

SOURCE Knoll, Inc.