The US Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation and is consistently a well-known leader in lobbying expenditures. The Chamber represents 3 million businesses of all sizes and sectors [1] but will no longer be representing some big companies like Apple due to the Chambers stance on climate change. [2]
The Obama administration recently instructed the EPA to be the regulator of greenhouse gas emissions with or without congressional approval. In response to that, the Chamber of Commerce just filed a 21-page petition to the EPA. In the petition the Chamber is asking the EPA to hold a public debate on the science behind climate change. Bill Kovacs, the Chamber’s VP for environmental, regulatory and government affairs, said “They don’t have the science to support the endangerment findings...we can’t just take their word for it”. EPA Deputy Press Secretary, Brenden Gilfillan, rejected the Chamber saying that a debate on this issue wouldn’t be moving America forward. [3]
Nike is to leave its position on the board of directors [4] while Apple Inc., Exelon Corp., PG&E and PNM Resources have all recently reported that they are leaving the US Chamber of Commerce based on the Chamber’s opposition to climate change regulation. Nike believes that US businesses should be advocators for climate change legislation not roadblocks. [5] Nike is even a founding member of “BICEP” which stands for “Businesses for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy”. Additional founders are Levi Strauss and Co., Starbucks, Sun Microsystems, and Timberland. Members of “BICEP” include Aspen Skiing Co., Cliff bar & Co., eBay, Gap Inc., The North Face, Seventh Generation, Symantec, and Jones Lang LaSalle. [6]
Additionally, 181 of the world’s top investors controlling 13 trillion dollars are demanding for a strong binding agreement in Copenhagen this December. Mindy S. Lubber, President of Ceres and Director of the Investor Network on Climate Risk, said: “Investors have a crucial role to play in building a low-carbon, energy efficient global economy. But without strong policies that encourage clean technologies and discourage high-polluting technologies, their hands are tied.” [7]
With the government and civilian population pushing for climate change legislation it appeared that the only missing party was businesses and investors. With the addition of these new members the climate change argument has once again strengthened. It is now overwhelming likely that some type of regulation will be in effect soon.
[1] “The US Chamber of Commerce”. http://www.uschamber.com/default. 10/6/09.
[2] “Climate change war roils US Chamber of Commerce.” Los Angelos Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/10/climate-change-war-roils-us-chamber-of-commerce.html
[3] “Chamber Threatens Lawsuit if EPA Rejects Climate Science Trial”. Michael Burnham. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/08/25/25climatewire-chamber-threatens-lawsuit-if-epa-rejects-cli-62828.html
[4] “Nike Opposes US Chamber of Commerce & Leaves Board, over Climate Change. Zachary Shahan. http://ecoworldly.com/2009/10/04/nike-opposes-us-chamber-of-commerce-leaves-board-climate-change/
[5]"Apple leaves U.S. Chamber over stance on climate change bill". Jim Snyder. http://thehill.com/homenews/news/61669-apple-becomes-fourth-company-to-leave-us-chamber
[6] “Nike, Starbucks demand Congress to Act on Climate Change”. Jerry James Jones. http://redgreenandblue.org/2008/11/19/nike-starbucks-demand-congress-to-act-on-climate-change/
[7] “100s of Investors (with 13 trillion) Demand Strong Climate Deal in Copenhagen”. Zachary Shahan. http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/18/hundreds-of-companies-with-13-trillion-demand-strong-climate-deal-in-copenhagen/
Posts
