Bill Clinton, Wal-Mart Team to Help Cities Buy 'Green' Materials

Seattle, Former President Bill Clinton told more than 100 mayors Thursday that stopping global warming depends on them demonstrating that it makes economic sense. He said his foundation is teaming up with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to save cities money on environmentally friendly supplies by buying in bulk.

"We will not get a global agreement on climate change unless you can prove this is not a burden," Clinton said. "This is the greatest opportunity we have had in our lifetimes."

Wal-Mart, which has embarked on a broad environmental drive to cut costs and burnish its reputation, is offering to help the mayors as it has met resistance in some big cities, including New York and Chicago, to its plans to expand into metro areas from its rural and suburban base.

Wal-Mart has set targets for reducing energy use and packaging waste and selling more environmentally friendly products.