Today President Obama announced new limits to carbon emissions from power plants and other measures to improve stewardship of the environment. The American Sustainable Business Council released a statement in support of the President’s plans. It said in part:
To succeed, a business has to understand the potential opportunities and threats to its continued operation. So does a nation. To remain competitive, companies – large and small – must adapt, advance new products, keep an eye on what their competitors are doing and address risks in the near term.
With these business principles in mind, the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) applauds President Obama’s plans to address GHG emissions and the growing economic uncertainties posed by climate change. We believe that climate change poses a serious threat to American businesses. The risks are many: disruptions to supply chains, increasing insurance premiums, structural damage from extreme weather events and rising energy and health care costs.
The statement concluded:
“We believe the President’s plan, with its focus on climate adaptation programs, efficiency standards for homes and appliances, greater renewable energy development on public lands and factoring in the social cost of carbon – will build a more resilient and market based transition to a clean energy economy. This in turn will boost investment and create jobs. Addressing climate change now will create new economic opportunities and will allow the US to remain competitive. It’s an investment worth making.”
The full statement may be found here: asbcouncil.org/press-release/business-leaders-support-obama%E2%80%99s-climate-plans
The American Sustainable Business Council and its member organizations represent more than 165,000 businesses nationwide, and more than 300,000 entrepreneurs, executives, managers, and investors. The council includes chambers of commerce, trade associations, and groups representing small business, investors, microenterprise, social enterprise, green and sustainable business, local living economy, and women and minority business leaders. ASBC informs and engages policy makers and the public about the need and opportunities for building a vibrant and sustainable economy. asbcouncil.org/businesses-support-taking-action-climate
