WASHINGTON (September 15, 2021)—Today, the CEOs of 12 environment and sustainability groups released a public letter that calls on businesses to support the ambitious reconciliation bill that is currently being considered by the U.S. Congress. If enacted, the package can grow the economy, create millions of good-paying jobs and improve equity across society while putting the United States on track to meet our emission reduction targets.

Following is a statement from Ani Dasgupta, President and CEO, World Resources Institute.   

“Congress has failed to enact climate legislation for far too long and time is running out. The reconciliation bill currently before Congress is an opportunity we can’t afford to miss.   

“It’s time for companies to stop saying one thing and doing another. The moment has come for businesses that say they support climate action to do something about it.   

“Hundreds of companies have committed to publicly support climate legislation that lowers U.S. emissions 50-52% by 2030. But as the reconciliation bill makes its way through Congress, the trade associations they belong to are running an aggressive and well-funded lobbying campaign to block it.  

“I join with 11 of my peers in calling on businesses to publicly support the reconciliation package and stop their trade associations from undermining our best chance to tackle the climate crisis before it is too late. Opposition to this legislation simply can’t be squared with positions of support for climate action.  

“We are at a turning point for our future and staying silent is not an option. It’s time for companies to rise to the occasion and deliver.”  


Editor’s Note:  

The open letter to America’s CEOs: Budget Reconciliation is the Vehicle to Pass Climate Policy was signed by leaders of the following organizations: BSR, C2ES, CDP, Ceres, Climate Group North America, Environmental Defense Fund, National Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy, Union of Concerned Scientists, We Mean Business, World Resources Institute and World Wildlife Fund.    

The letter calls on all businesses to take both of the following actions immediately:

1.    Publicly support strong climate provisions in the budget reconciliation package AND   
2.    Oppose any trade association lobbying that would undercut these provisions, including publicly distancing the company’s position from that of the trade association where necessary.  
   
Find the full letter and read more at: www.AAAclimateleadership.org.