In a letter to President-elect Trump, President Obama, Members of the US Congress, and Global Leaders at COP22 in Marrakech, hundreds of business and investor leaders in the United States re-affirmed their deep commitment to addressing climate change through the implementation of the historic Paris Climate Agreement.
“We want the US economy to be energy efficient and powered by low-carbon energy. Cost-effective and innovative solutions can help us achieve these objectives. Failure to build a low-carbon economy puts American prosperity at risk. But the right action now will create jobs and boost US competitiveness. We pledge to do our part, in our own operations and beyond, to realize the Paris Agreement’s commitment of a global economy that limits global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius.”
“The enormous momentum generated by the business and investment community to address climate change cannot be reversed and cannot be ignored by the Trump administration. That train has left the station and to stand in its way is folly,” said Matt Patsky, CEO of Trillium Asset Management. “Nevertheless, we know that now is the time to remind the incoming administration that virtually every company in the Fortune 500 and over $100 trillion in investor assets has acknowledged the reality of climate change and the need to address it head on.”
About this effort
This statement was coordinated by C2ES, Ceres, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Entrepreneurs, The B Team, The Climate Group, We Mean Business, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Business Backs Low-Carbon USA kicked off in December 2015 with a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal urging US and international leaders to adopt an ambitious climate agreement in Paris.
Companies also joined together in April 2016 to welcome the signing of the Paris Agreement and to call for a just transition to a clean energy economy.
If your organization would like more information on how to participate, please contact Brianna Esteves at esteves@ceres.org.
Clean Edge also published an open letter to president-elect Trump on clean energy on Nov. 15 which noted the rapid growth of renewable energy and larger job creation record of renewables, as well as specific recommendations for leveling the playing field for renewables.
