Thank you for your letter requesting Business Roundtable’s views regarding various actions the federal government can take to address climate change, either through administrative actions or through proposed legislation.
Business Roundtable was the first broad-based business organization to recognize the threat posed by climate change and to acknowledge the need to address it. As we described in the Business Roundtable’s 2007 Statement on Climate Change:
Because the consequences of global warming for society and ecosystems are potentially serious and far-reaching, steps to address the risks of such warming are prudent even now, while the science continues to evolve. The Business Roundtable supports collective actions that will lead to the reduction of [greenhouse gas (GHG)] emissions on a global basis with the goal of slowing increases in GHG concentrations in the atmosphere and ultimately stabilizing them at levels that will address the risks of climate change. These actions need to be coordinated with efforts to address other urgent world priorities, such as reducing poverty, improving public health, reducing environmental degradation and raising living standards. Reliable and affordable world supplies of energy are essential for meeting these challenges.
Building on our climate change statement, in June, 2009, Business Roundtable issued The Balancing Act: Climate Change, Energy Security and the U.S. Economy, a comprehensive analysis designed to develop, evaluate and recommend technology-based solutions to meet the “sustainable growth challenge”— that is the challenge of achieving large-scale reductions in GHG emissions while also maintaining robust economic growth and enhancing energy security. The Balancing Act identified three strategies that are likely to form the foundation of a successful sustainable growth agenda: (1) more efficiently consume electricity and heating fuels in homes and businesses; (2) leverage domestic resources to produce cost- effective, low-carbon electricity; and (3) modernize the transportation fleet and diversify the transportation fuel mix. From these broad strategies, six major technology pathways were developed with specific recommended government actions for each.
Later this month, Business Roundtable will release Taking Action on Energy: A CEO Vision for America’s Energy Future. Taking Action on Energy builds on our previous work and recommends a series of steps that the federal government can take to help accelerate efforts to develop a portfolio of affordable, diverse and efficient options for meeting our energy needs in the 21st century. Taking Action on Energy outlines a long-term policy framework by initially focusing on three overarching goals: (1) boosting economic growth by ensuring access to affordable energy supplies and pursuing cost-effective energy efficiency measures; (2) enhancing energy security by providing an adaptable, reliable and diverse portfolio of energy resources; and (3) promoting environmental stewardship by improving energy efficiency and ensuring responsible management of natural resources. We would be very pleased to see our report included in your menu of options as your seek to address climate change.
Business Roundtable believes that improving energy efficiency, increasing utilization of renewables, continuing to advance technology and engaging globally are essential in order to reduce world-wide GHG emissions while ensuring economic growth. In the U.S., significant progress is already being made. In 2012, the United States’ carbon emissions fell to their lowest levels since 1994, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance Report. Since their peak in 2007, carbon emissions have fallen by 13 percent. While some of this reduction undoubtedly is a consequence of the recession and subsequent low economic growth, Taking Action on Energy documents important gains in energy intensity and renewables growth, trends that likely will accelerate with supportive government policies.
The United States remains a global leader in the research, development and commercialization of energy efficiency, renewable energy, new nuclear and advanced coal technologies. We believe that the U.S. should capitalize on these advantages and accelerate efforts to develop a portfolio of affordable, diverse and efficient options for meeting our economic, environmental and energy challenges. Along with global engagement, we believe these initiatives offer the best path forward to address the climate challenge.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if we might provide additional assistance. Thank you again for requesting our views on this important issue.
Sincerely,
John Engler