NORTHBROOK, IL - Donlen, North America’s most innovative fleet leasing and management company, announced that they won a Stevie Award for Corporate Environmental Responsibility Program of the Year in The 2011 American Business Awards last night.

Donlen was recognized for its groundbreaking program, Fleets for Change. In collaboration with Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Donlen CEO Gary Rappeport has committed significant Donlen resources over the next five years to help companies reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the fleet industry.

As a premier global provider of fleet management solutions, Donlen recognized a need for a change within the fleet industry and stepped forward to take a leadership position. In 2010, Donlen became a member of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), working with EDF in a CGI Commitment to Action titled “Commercial Fleet 20% GHG Emissions Reduction” and launching Fleets for Change, a fully independent website and robust reporting and benchmarking database.

At no cost to companies who pledge to reduce their emissions, Fleets for Change will work with participants to transform the environmental impact of the commercial fleet industry, which is responsible for almost one-third of the total U.S. emissions. This five-year commitment will help to reduce fleet emission levels by 20%, generating a reduction of more than 500,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gases.

"Donlen would like to thank the American Business Awards for this honor,” said Amy Blaine, Donlen’s Director of Strategic Consulting and Sustainability, accepting the award. “Gary Rappeport’s ideas, inspiration, and commitment to meaningful industry change led to the development of the Fleets for Change program. I'd also like to thank Environmental Defense Fund for collaborating on this extremely important initiative."

For more information about Fleets for Change, visit www.fleetsforchange.com or contact Amy Blaine at 847-412-5384.

Details about The American Business Awards and the lists of honorees in all categories are available at www.stevieawards.com/aba.