Compaq to Receive World Environment Center Gold Medal for International Corporate Environmental Achievement.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 21, 1997--The World Environment Center (WEC) has announced that Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ) has been selected to receive the 1997 WEC Gold Medal for International Corporate Environmental Achievement. The 13th annual award will be presented on May 30, 1997, to Compaq President & CEO Eckhard Pfeiffer on behalf of the 20,000 employees of Compaq and in recognition of the company's exceptional performance in environmental, health and safety leadership.

"The WEC Gold Medal Jury based its decision on Compaq's dynamic application of Design for Environment (DFE) principles," said Dr. Joel I. Abrams, Chairman of the WEC Gold Medal Jury and Professor Emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh. "Compaq's dedication to DFE is its signature contribution to sustainable development. From its inception, Compaq's innovative approach to product stewardship, dedication to creativity in its environmental programs and integration of concerns for environment, health and safety (EH&S) has set a standard for others to emulate with pride."

On hearing the news, Mr. Pfeiffer said, "To be the recipient of the 1997 World Environment Center Gold Medal is a tremendous honor for Compaq. This accomplishment reflects the commitment and efforts of Compaq employees around the world who are striving to protect the environment. Compaq will continue to set high goals and standards for itself in this area, and this award reaffirms our belief that superior business performance goes hand-in-hand with excellent environmental performance."

Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune 100 company, is the fifth largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of personal computers. Compaq products are sold in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners.

Compaq was selected from a record number of multinational corporate nominees by an independent international jury of distinguished environmentalists from government, academia, non-governmental organizations and industry. The WEC Gold Medal Jury, completely independent of WEC and its programs, bases its decision on a corporation's establishment of an exemplary environmental policy, globally uniform application of that policy and international EH&S leadership extending beyond traditional corporate boundaries. Early in its history, Compaq demonstrated its environmental stewardship by adopting a comprehensive Environmental Policy that advocates proactive behavior and encourages employees to champion and address environmental, health and safety concerns. Implementation is assured by EH&S being a key performance metric for many line executives.

According to the WEC Gold Medal Jury, Compaq's implementation of its environmental, health and safety policy is exemplary. Product stewardship is highlighted by integrating aspects of product planning, design and manufacturing, and by utilizing an ambitious DFE approach which considers environmental aspects at each phase of a product's life cycle, from inception to end of life. Compaq was a charter member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star Program, and has pioneered the design of energy-efficient computers with the potential for significant worldwide energy savings and CO2 emission reductions. In 1993, Compaq was one of the early companies to develop and implement a manufacturing process which eliminated chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in their production operations -- two years ahead of aggressive, internal goals. They freely share this process with suppliers and other interested parties.

Compaq's environmental, health and safety education and training is a continuing focus for senior management, employees, suppliers and vendors, as well as for the environmental leaders of the future -- today's school children. Compaq participates in and shares its knowledge and expertise with a broad array of private and public organizations. Compaq was a member of the Industry Cooperative for Ozone Layer Protection (ICOLP), which has assumed the role of sharing global expertise on CFC emission elimination, and is a leading sponsor, in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), of the Clean Up the World Campaign, which mobilizes people to work toward restoration of their natural environment.

Founded in 1974, WEC, an independent, not-for-profit, non- advocacy organization, contributes to sustainable development worldwide by strengthening industrial and urban environment, health and safety policy and practices. Through three complementary programs -- the International Environment and Development Service, the International Environment Forum and the WEC Gold Medal for International Corporate Environmental Achievement -- WEC serves as a bridge for the exchange of information and expertise among the industry, government and non-governmental organizations. WEC is headquartered in New York City with program coordinators in ten countries in addition to offices in Bangkok, Geneva, Jakarta, Mexico City, and Washington, D.C.

CONTACT: Sharon Griffiths

Communications Coordinator WEC

212-683-4700

OR

Nora Hahn

Compaq Public Relations

281-514-8316