Clean Economy in the News:

Copenhagen Accord must spur action, "race to the top"

Click here to read the full press release.

DAVOS, 27 January 2010:   Business leaders groups have written to world leaders to warn them that the Copenhagen Accord will only be a success if it spurs a "race to the top" for more ambitious climate action at all levels of national, state and municipal government.

The caution comes in a statement sent to government leaders from six business leader groups as the global political elite and captains of industry gather for the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, and only days ahead of a UN deadline for countries to register national emission reduction targets on 31 January 2010.

The six international business organizations involved The Climate Group, Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy (BICEP), Carbon Markets & Investors Association (CMIA), Clean Economy Network, Combat Climate Change (3C) and Copenhagen Climate Council are uniting to call on government to provide the clarity and certainty necessary to drive an urgent scale-up of private sector investment in energy efficiency, low carbon infrastructure and RDD&D (research, development, demonstration and deployment) of clean technologies. The six groups work with over 200 multi-national businesses from every continent.

The statement calls on governments to:

• Set ambitious medium and long-term emissions reductions targets
• Accelerate private sector investment in low carbon products, services and infrastructure through innovative finance and market mechanisms
• Implement a technology mechanism that drives innovation, development and transfer
• Boost public-private dialogue so that politicians better understand the needs of business
• Conclude a comprehensive international climate agreement by the end of 2010

Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group and Chair of the World Economic Forums Global Agenda Council on Climate Change, says:  "Smart business knows that taking climate action makes good business sense; it is prudent risk management and creates significant opportunities. Because industry is the primary driver of jobs and economic growth and also for cutting global emissions governments must give business the right tools and incentives to do the job at the scale and speed we need to safeguard our future climate, security and economic prosperity."

Business Leaders for Strong Energy & Climate Policy

Over 80 US Companies call on President Obama & Congress to Enact Comprehensive Climate and Energy Legislation

January 21, 2009 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - More than 80 leading CEOs from U.S. businesses, including Exelon, Virgin America, NRG Energy, eBay and PG&E, sent a letter to President Obama and members of Congress today calling on them to move quickly to enact comprehensive climate and energy legislation that will create jobs and enhance U.S. competitiveness.

Saying that the U.S. is "falling behind" in the global clean energy race, the letter calls for forceful leadership to achieve legislation that will unleash innovation, drive economic growth, boost energy independence and decrease our carbon emissions. The letter comes just one week before President Obama delivers his State of the Union address on January 27th.

"American businesses recognize this challenge and have already begun to respond and innovate. However, today's uncertainty surrounding energy and climate regulation is hindering the large-scale actions that American businesses are poised to make," the letter states. "We need strong policies and clear market signals that support the transition to a low-carbon economy and reward companies that innovate. It is time for the Administration and Congress to embrace this policy as the promising economic opportunity that will empower American workers to compete and American entrepreneurship to lead the way."

The letter was signed by 83 CEOs from some of the nation's largest electric power, manufacturing, clean tech, technology and consumer facing companies. To view the full text and the list of signatories please go to: http://www.wecanlead.org