Complete list of press releases

• Experts at Our Ocean Conference Tackle Climate-Ready Fisheries

  October 23, 2019

  Tad Segal, tsegal@edf.org, (202) 572-3549

  (OSLO, Norway, Oct. 23, 2019) – Nations around the world are facing unprecedented challenges from climate impacts on the world’s ocean and must work to create greater ocean resilience, said panelists at an official side event at the Our Ocean Conference in Oslo, Norway today.

  The event, Climate Change & the Ocean: Charting a Resilient Path Forward, brought together leading experts on ocean health, resilience and fisheries management, and was sponsored by the government of Chile, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Walton Family Foundation, the Nippon Foundation and Environmental Defense Fund.

  “This is a time of enormous change for the world’s ocean — and with that change comes meaningful opportunities and a responsibility to create a healthier and more resilient future,” said Jane Lubchenco, distinguished professor at Oregon State University and co-chair of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy’s Expert Group. “Nowhere is this more true than in our response to the climate impacts on the world’s fisheries. Billions of people will be affected through loss of nutrition and income if we don’t act now to put in place solutions for resilience coupled with emissions reduction.”

  In addition to Lubchenco, the panel featured Waldemar Coutts, Ambassador of Chile to Norway and Iceland; Manuel Barange, Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division at FAO; and Yoshitaka Ota, Director of the Nippon Foundation Nereus Program.

  The convening comes as nations need to find meaningful responses to the threats raised in the recent special report from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change focused on climate impacts to the ocean and cryosphere. The report found that the rate of ocean warming has doubled in the past three decades, with enormous implications for marine life, ecosystems, food, nutrition and economic well-being.

  “We know that effective and timely adaptation measures can minimize the threats of climate change and reap very positive results,” said Barange. “It is our obligation to help countries find the solutions that work for them.”

  The discussion also follows the release of a special report by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, which quantified opportunities in the ocean for climate mitigation, recommending innovations such as offshore energy production, coastal and marine ecosystem protection and a shift toward seafood and away from emission intensive land-based protein sources to help reduce emissions and create greater resilience.

  The panel focused on how climate change is impacting fisheries that help feed the world, as the distribution and abundance of global fish populations shift toward the poles in search of more habitable conditions. Experts discussed the need to implement changes by governments, fishermen and their communities in order to ensure healthy, reliable and equitable fisheries in the face of climate change.

  “If you take care of fish, you’re taking care of a world where people and nature can prosper together,” said the Walton Family Foundation’s oceans initiative lead, Tom Grasso. “It is not too late to think this way. We know from experience and science that by taking care of the fish, we can enhance the resilience of coral reefs, marine food webs and the coastal communities dependent on fishing to pay their bills and put food on their tables.”

  “We know for a fact that we must tackle climate change on two fronts. We must reduce our emissions in order to achieve zero net pollution by 2050 in order to stave off the worst impacts of climate change,” said Eric Schwaab, senior vice president for oceans at Environmental Defense Fund. “We must also plan for the climate impacts that we know are already baked into the system by building climate-smart fisheries that support the nutritional and economic needs of the billions of people who rely on fish for food and income.”

  The Our Ocean Conference is just one of the venues where world leaders will be gathering to tackle the challenges of climate change, mitigation opportunities and the need for fishery management reforms. Leaders will convene in December in Chile for the 25^th Conference of the Parties, or COP 25, which is being dubbed the “Blue COP” for its focus on ocean-related climate issues. In addition, the 127 governments who are members of the U.N. FAO Committee on Fisheries will come together in July 2020 to discuss the global response to creating more climate-resilient fisheries.

  “On behalf of Chile, which serves on both the High Level Panel and the Bureau of the Committee on Fisheries, we will call upon these bodies to act,” said Ambassador Coutts. “We will promote a united stand in our demand for actionable guidance and a roadmap for climate resilient fisheries.”

• Report Finds Widespread Adoption of Emerging Tech, but a Missed Opportunity for Sustainability

  October 21, 2019

  Cristina Mestre, (212) 616-1268, cmestre@edf.org

  (NEW YORK – October 21, 2019) While 92% of executives agree that emerging technologies can help improve both their bottom line and sustainability, only 59% are investing for this purpose, finds a new Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) report being released this week at the Bloomberg Sustainable Business Summit. This 33-point opportunity gap shows companies are leaving environmental and business opportunities on the table despite growing demand for climate action from customers, employees, stakeholders and regulators.

  EDF’s second annual benchmark report, Business and The Fourth Wave of Environmentalism, surveys 600 leaders in major companies across retail, manufacturing, energy, technology, and financial sectors with $500 million to $5 billion in revenue. Executives were asked how they view and leverage new technologies to accelerate sustainability efforts and boost the bottom line, including artificial intelligence, automation technologies, blockchain, data analytics and sensors. EDF’s benchmark report tracks where business leaders across industries are looking to make sustainable changes.

  “Too many CEOs are missing a golden opportunity to seize competitive advantage by becoming climate leaders,” said Fred Krupp, president of EDF. “By adopting and scaling the use of best-in-class technologies to also drive corporate sustainability, executives can create gains for shareholders, reduce the impact of global warming and help their bottom line.

  “The world’s leading scientists say we must produce no more climate pollution than we can remove—reaching what we call a 100% clean economy—soon after mid-century. It’s an ambitious but achievable goal that will require a serious commitment not just from governments, but also from businesses that want to be part of the solution. We’re running out of time—we need to close the opportunity gap now.”

  Key findings of the report include:

  ● 90% of executives say their businesses are either in the early adoption phase or have successfully integrated data analytics and automation into their work, up 4-5% from last year

  ● Data analytics is most recognized for its potential impact on the bottom line (35%), with AI (28%), and automation (19%) following

  ● Blockchain has the highest potential for adoption, as it is the least-familiar technology across industry, followed by sensors

  ● In the energy industry, 92% say that the Fourth Wave technologies will improve their revenue; 91% say the same for improving the economy; and 85% say the same for job growth

  ● Half of tech leaders say they have successfully implemented and integrated AI into their business processes, higher than in other industries

  Respondents also listed impediments to making choices that have a positive impact on the environment, including: a lack of clear or quick return on investment; a lack of awareness or education around specific technologies; the omission of environmental stewardship from internal dialogues; and, a lack of infrastructure. The findings suggest that executives can close the opportunity gap by increasing their understanding of the landscape of technologies that can support both core business operations and sustainability efforts.   

  For example, UPS, which is highlighted in the report developed a real-time data analytics system to optimize driver routes. This technology helps the company avoid 10 million gallons of fuel consumption per year, reduce emissions by 100,000 metric tons annually – and saved $400 million in the process.

  “We’re seeing companies everywhere, big and small, making changes within their operating structures to decrease their carbon footprint, but recycling and going paperless is not enough,” said Bryce Goodman, Kravis Senior Contributing Scientist and Innovation Fellow at EDF. “The opportunity is there for these companies to take that extra step and make investments in technologies that can be applied to long term sustainability for the planet.”

  The report also found that while the C-level may be more positive about their future as it pertains to environmentally sustainable business practices, directors are the ones best positioned to see the on-the-ground efforts and identify roadblocks. As such, directors can help C-level executives apply practical experience to accelerate sustainability initiatives.

• EDF Testifies against Methane Rule Rollback at EPA Hearing

  October 17, 2019

  Stacy MacDiarmid, 512-691-3439, smacdiarmid@edf.org

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  (Dallas, TX) Environmental Defense Fund joined with dozens of Americans at an EPA hearing in Dallas today to defend a critical protection against methane emissions — one of the major contributors to short-term climate change.

  EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler has formally proposed to completely eliminate regulations for methane emissions from the oil and gas industry across the entire supply chain. The proposal also seeks to remove federal rules for both methane and volatile organic compounds for facilities in the transportation and storage segment of the supply chain. EDF is strongly opposed to these proposals.

  “The proposal abdicates EPA’s duty to address the urgent threat of climate change and endangers the health of Americans living near oil and gas facilities,” said EDF Attorney Rosalie Winn in her testimony today. “The current proposal appears to be an attempt to prevent any federal oversight of pollution from more than 850,000 existing oil and gas facilities across the country.”

  Methane is a greenhouse gas that is more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the first two decades after its release. Methane from human activities is responsible for more than 25% of the global warming we are currently experiencing.

  EPA’s proposal follows their earlier action last fall that would significantly weaken the pollution control provisions from the 2016 standards for the oil and gas industry — such as requirements to perform regular leak inspections. It also comes as many states and countries have moved to adopt methane standards for the oil and gas sector, and as several leading oil and gas companies have called on EPA to maintain, and even strengthen, federal methane standards, including by adopting standards for existing sources.

  Today’s hearing is the only one EPA has planned to allow concerned members of the public to comment on the proposal.You can read Winn’s full testimony here.

• The Baby Food Council is taking on the challenge of reducing heavy metals in young kids’ food

  October 17, 2019

  Sam Lovell, (202) 572-3544, slovell@edf.org

  Randy Worobo (Cornell - Baby Food Council contact), rww8@cornell.edu

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  (Washington, D.C. – October 17, 2019) Today, the Baby Food Council, a broad-based group of companies and other organizations formed in January 2019, announced its efforts to take on the challenge of reducing heavy metals in young children’s food. This news comes as Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF), a children’s health advocacy group and member of the Council, released a new report demonstrating that tests on over 150 foods consumed by babies and toddlers found that 95% of the products tested had detectable levels of heavy metals. Recognizing that heavy metals are widely present in the environment and can get into food, the Council seeks to reduce levels of heavy metals in food products to as low as reasonably achievable using best-in-class management techniques.

  The HBBF report highlights the challenges and reinforces the need for more action to address this issue. The report documented detectable amounts of lead, cadmium, and inorganic arsenic in commercial baby foods as well as other foods commonly consumed by young children. “Parents can’t shop their way out of these exposures by choosing organic foods or by switching from store-bought brands to homemade purees,” the report noted, because these elements are commonly found in many foods. The report recommended a number of actions to help address the issue of heavy metals in foods including recommendations for government and food manufacturers. Importantly, it also offered simple steps for parents to help minimize exposure as the Council’s efforts to lower levels continue.

  The Council consists of leading companies and academic, government, and NGO partners and advisors. Members of the Council are Beech-Nut Nutrition Company, Campbell Soup Company (Plum Organics), Cornell University, Environmental Defense Fund, Gerber Products Company, The Hain Celestial Group (Earth’s Best), Happy Family Organics, and Healthy Babies Bright Futures. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration serve as technical advisors.

  Early efforts of the Council have focused on identifying those foods and ingredients with the most potential to contribute to heavy metal exposure in young children. Going forward, the Council will be working to determine best practices that can reduce heavy metal levels in these foods. This work will initially focus on the environment, understanding that heavy metals are widely present in soil and water and may become part of foods as they grow. The Council encourages other agricultural and industry groups to embrace the challenge of reducing heavy metals in foods for infants and toddlers – who are most vulnerable to harm from lead, cadmium, and inorganic arsenic exposure.   

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  “Being a dad, I understand the need for safe food. Beech-Nut cares deeply about the safety of all food – not just baby food – and that’s why we were a founding member of the Baby Food Council. We’re committed to working together to bring sustainable change in this important environmental issue,” said Jason Jacobs, Vice President of Food Safety & Quality, Beech-Nut Nutrition.

  “Plum Organics is proud to be a member of the Baby Food Council. As part of the Council, we share the same overall goal of our industry partners, and that is to provide safe and high-quality products to babies and toddlers. Plum’s mission is to provide all little ones with the very best food from the very first bite,” said Annalisa Fornarelli, VP Global Food Safety and Quality, Campbell Soup Company. 

  “I am excited and happy to facilitate the Council to benefit the health and wellness of infants,” said Dr. Randy Worobo of Cornell’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. 

  “The latest federal data from FDA on lead in food shows that the percent of samples with detectable levels remain stubbornly high for certain foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and teething biscuits,” said Tom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director at Environmental Defense Fund. “The HBBF report reinforces the need to better understand the best practices to sustainably reduce heavy metals not just in baby food but all food. We are pleased to be a member of the Council to work towards that goal and solve this important challenge.”  

  “Gerber has always put babies and toddlers first, but we never stop asking ourselves, ‘Can we do more?’ This question inspires our commitment to continuously raise our high standards and improve our methods to reduce and limit contaminants in all our foods,” said Joel Lim, M.D., Medical Director for Gerber. “We’re excited to be partnering with like-minded organizations who are also committed to improving the safety and quality of food for little ones.”

  “Although heavy metals are naturally occurring in the environment, we are always looking to reduce their presence in food. Earth’s Best is excited to partner with the members of the Baby Food Council to support this important initiative,” said Raul Fajardo, Senior Vice President Technical Services, The Hain Celestial Group. 

  “At Happy Family Organics, our mission is, and always has been, to change the trajectory of children’s health through nutrition. Being a founding member of and contributor to the Baby Food Council reinforces our commitment to create the best possible foundation for young children to realize their potential to lead a happy and healthy life. This is a great challenge in which many stakeholders across our industry need to work together, and we all share in the responsibility to do so,” said Jason Rosecast, Vice President of Quality and Food Safety for Happy Family Organics.

  “We are excited to take on the challenge of reducing the levels of heavy metals in baby food through the Baby Food Council’s initiatives. The work promises to bring market-wide change that can benefit all families,” said Charlotte Brody, RN, National Director of Healthy Babies Bright Futures. 

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  About the Baby Food Council

  The Baby Food Council is a group of infant and toddler food companies, supported by key stakeholders, seeking to reduce heavy metals in the companies’ products to as low as reasonably achievable using best-in-class management practices. The Council was created in January 2019 in partnership with Cornell University and the Environmental Defense Fund. All companies that source ingredients, manage the upstream supply chain, and nationally market foods for children six to 24 months of age in the United States are welcome to participate in the Council. Since its creation, Healthy Babies Bright Futures has joined the Council as a member and the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have agreed to serve as technical advisors to the effort. For more information about the Council, visit babyfoodcouncil.org or contact Randy Worobo of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at rww8@cornell.edu.
   

• New Study Shows Construction of Sediment Diversions Will Deliver Significant Economic Benefits

  October 16, 2019

  Jacques Hebert

  (NEW ORLEANS, LA – Oct. 16, 2019) A new report released today by Dr. Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc. details the regional economic impacts of building the Mid-Barataria and Mid-Breton sediment diversions. The report, “The Economic Impact of Constructing the Mid-Barataria and Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion Projects” showcases how local and state businesses, governments and residents will benefit economically during the combined seven-year period between 2021 and 2027 when these projects are being built.

  The analysis indicates that the construction of these projects, totaling $1.85 billion over seven years, will have significant economic benefits within Plaquemines Parish and regionally.

  “The positive economic impacts of constructing the Mid-Barataria and Mid-Breton sediment diversions will be significant and will be felt within Plaquemines Parish and across the broader region,” said Dr. Loren Scott, President of Dr. Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc. 

  In Plaquemines Parish specifically, business sales within the parish are expected to increase by $2.3 billion and $7.2 million will be added to the local treasury. Constructing these projects will support an annual average of 391 jobs a year with 687 created in 2023—the year of greatest expenditures. Over the seven-year period, parish residents will experience a $157.6 million increase in household earnings.

  The benefits will extend to a broader region, including Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. Regional business sales will increase by $3.1 billion and local government treasuries will receive an increase of $36.7 million. On average, 2,255 jobs will be supported during the seven-year period with a peak of 3,962 jobs in 2023. Across the four parishes, household earnings will increase by $809.2 million.

  The State of Louisiana will also benefit with $56.6 million in state revenues being added during the period of building, an amount slightly greater than the costs of funding the Office of the Lieutenant Governor during a similar time frame.

  “These projects will not only help defend our parish and region against the worst impacts of flooding, they will provide real economic opportunities for businesses and real jobs for residents,” said Steve Cochran, Campaign Director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. “Louisiana is taking its biggest challenge and turning it into jobs and economic opportunity.”

  The two sediment diversions are currently in engineering and design and will be located on either side of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish. Once built, these coastal restoration projects will be operated strategically to deliver sediment, freshwater and nutrients from the Mississippi River to build and maintain tens of thousands of adjacent wetlands over time. Plaquemines Parish is experiencing some of the most severe land loss on the planet. Without projects from Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan, the parish could lose an additional 296 square miles–or 55% of its total land mass–in the next 50 years.

  The report also found that construction firms will benefit the most from these projects, garnering 82% of sales. However, in 2023, over $10 million in new spending will benefit businesses operating in durable goods manufacturing, wholesale trade, non-durable goods manufacturing and firms in the professional/technical/scientific sectors.

  “These projects will create and support thousands of jobs. We should make sure that the state, contractors and others involved in the construction of these diversions prioritize hiring and sourcing locally to drive the greatest economic impact to Plaquemines Parish and the surrounding region,” said Cochran.

• Ohio Supreme Court paves the way for future expansion of energy efficiency

  October 15, 2019

  Erica Fick, (512)-691-3406, efick@efick@edf.org.org

  (COLUMBUS, OH) In a landmark decision that could help expand the application of energy efficiency statewide, the Ohio Supreme Court today overturned a 2017 ruling by the state Public Utilities Commission establishing a first-of-its-kind cost cap on energy efficiency program spending for utility giant, FirstEnergy.

  “Today’s Ohio Supreme Court decision affirms the true value of energy efficiency, which is widely regarded as one of the best energy solutions, because it is non-polluting and less expensive than other generation resources that require major capital investments and ongoing fuel and maintenance costs,” said John Finnigan, lead counsel for Environmental Defense Fund’s Energy Program. “From a legal perspective, this is an important ruling because it upholds the notion that the legislature has primacy in crafting energy policy; regulators can’t apply a cost cap where the statute does not expressly provide for one.”

  Today’s ruling comes after Environmental Defense Fund and other parties appealed this decision by the PUCO, arguing that the state’s energy efficiency statute – enacted in 2008 by the legislature – does not contain a cost cap, and therefore the PUCO does not have the authority to enforce one on FirstEnergy, or any of the other four utilities in the state. In its filing, EDF pointed out that each energy efficiency program must pass a cost-effectiveness test, where the utility must demonstrate that program benefits outweigh the costs.

  However, this new ruling cannot technically do anything for the Ohioans or the environment till HB6 – which eviscerated Ohio’s energy efficiency programs when passed this summer – is overturned. There is a referendum campaign underway, and if successful, this new ruling by the Supreme Court will give utilities the freedom to implement their energy efficiency programs broadly and unhindered by an arbitrary cap on costs exceeding 4% of their total revenues.

• EDF, NRDC Outline Arguments for Appeal in Case Linked to Proposed Clean Car Standards Rollback

  October 15, 2019

  Sharyn Stein, 202-572-3396, sstein@edf.org

  (Washington, D.C. – October 15, 2019) Environmental Defense Fund and Natural Resources Defense Council have filed a brief with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in a case related to the Trump administration’s proposed rollback of America’s Clean Car Standards.

  The groups are asking the Second Circuit to reconsider a lower court decision that the administration does not have to disclose important information linked to that proposed rollback. The information in question may refute the administration’s flawed justification for its attack on the popular and successful Clean Car Standards. The brief outlines the substantial arguments for re-examining the case.

  In the brief, the groups argue:

  “EPA’s proposal to roll back existing emissions standards would undo one of the most important actions our government has ever taken to stave off catastrophic climate change. The public has a right to all the facts and investigative tools in EPA’s possession that relate to that change, even if the agency has ignored them.” (Brief, page 74)

  The Clean Car Standards reduce pollution while saving Americans hard-earned money at the gas pump. The Trump administration is proposing to roll back the standards and instead require zero progress in reducing climate pollution from cars, SUVs and passenger trucks over the next six years.

  Trump’s EPA is also refusing to let the public see a key technical analysis that may weaken the administration’s argument for a rollback.

  That technical analysis is derived from the OMEGA model, a computer model long used to assess clean car protections. EPA made previous versions of the OMEGA model public as a matter of course, but it is refusing to release the latest version – which EPA records indicate would show the current Clean Car Standards can be achieved by automakers at a substantially lower cost than alleged by the administration.

  EDF and NRDC filed a lawsuit after EPA failed to release information about the latest OMEGA model under the Freedom of Information Act. In August, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York declined to require EPA to disclose those records. The groups appealed to the Second Circuit last month.

• Major Environmental Groups Call On Businesses To Lead On Climate Policy

  October 15, 2019

  Cristina Mestre, (212) 616-1268, cmestre@edf.org

  (WASHINGTON – October 15, 2019) Eleven leading environmental and sustainable business organizations published an open letter in the New York Times today, urging the CEOs of Corporate America to step up their engagement on climate policy. Signatories include the heads of BSR, C2ES, CDP, Ceres, Conservation International, Environmental Defense Fund, The Climate Group, The Nature Conservancy, the Union of Concerned Scientists, World Resources Institute, and World Wildlife Fund.

  In the letter, the organizations call on businesses to adopt a science-based climate policy agenda that is aligned with the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

  The letter highlights three essential actions for businesses to execute this agenda:

  1. Advocate for policies at the national, subnational and/or sectoral level that are consistent with achieving net-zero emissions by 2050;
  2. Align their trade associations’ climate policy advocacy to be consistent with the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050; and
  3. Allocate advocacy spending to advance climate policies, not obstruct them.

Additionally, the signatories call for “robust disclosure of the above actions to ensure transparency and demonstrate leadership, as well as strong corporate governance to enable sustained, strategic and effective engagement in climate policy.”

The recommended actions follow a statement from 200 institutional investors, with a combined $6.5 trillion in assets under management, who recently called on publicly traded corporations to align their climate lobbying with the goals of the Paris Agreement. They also build on momentum from the U.N. Global Climate Action Summit in September, when many companies announced ambitious commitments to reduce their emissions to net zero by 2050 and unprecedented global youth strikes demanded accountability from business leaders.

Further, the groups’ call for corporate leadership on climate policy is in line with the goals of upcoming Santiago Climate Change Conference (COP 25), which will focus on increasing ambitious actions to tackle climate change.

The following are statements from the nonprofit groups endorsing the recommendations:

BSR

“Business is already making strides in reducing emissions and strengthening resilience to climate impacts along their value chains. But to achieve the truly transformational changes needed to address the climate crisis, governments must also act with urgency. We need more companies to align their policy and advocacy agendas with their commitments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This ambition loop will enable further process with the urgency that’s needed. We look forward to working with our member companies to develop these agendas as part of their commitment to climate action.”

• Aron Cramer, President and CEO, BSR

C2ES

“Companies from every corner of our economy are reducing emissions, engaging their supply chains, improving efficiency, and adopting innovative sustainability practices to meet the challenges posed by climate change. They are a powerful and indispensable voice to build common ground for action, with the unique ability to bring policymakers to the table behind their shared interest in developing policies that address climate change and enable economic growth.”

• Bob Perciasepe, President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)

CDP

“In forging the path towards a climate conscious future, businesses must lead by example—starting with robust disclosure and setting science-based targets for their operations and supply chains. But for the whole system to change at the needed pace and scale, policy makers need to step up as well. Advocating for science-based policy is a crucial way that leading companies can help shift the needle on government action.”

• Bruno Sarda, President, CDP North America

Ceres

“Corporate leaders are vital and influential advocates for advancing strong climate and clean energy policy. Companies in the Ceres BICEP Network have been making the business case for policy action for the past decade because they understand the financial risks that the climate crisis poses to businesses, the economy and communities—and they know that inaction is not an option. Given the scope and scale of the crisis, we need all corporate leaders to demand comprehensive science-based policy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.”

• Mindy Lubber, CEO and President, Ceres

Conservation International

“We will not be able to solve the climate catastrophe without decisive leadership from corporations. Yet our own peer-reviewed research found that the world’s largest companies are collectively underestimating and underreporting the financial implications of climate risks to their investors- sometimes by more than 100 times. Businesses must take bold steps to ensure that their actions and influence address this new reality of our planet. It’s time to seize the opportunity to shape public policy that drives us to a net-zero carbon future as soon as possible for the sake of our economy and humanity.”

• Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International

Environmental Defense Fund

“There’s a new reality for CEOs today: employees, customers and investors alike expect business leaders to go beyond rhetoric and take meaningful action on climate change. In fact, more than 90% of executives surveyed for a new EDF study believe that consumers will increasingly hold businesses accountable for their environmental impact. CEOs need to reduce climate pollution within their own company operations, and they also need to unleash the most powerful tool they have to fight climate change: their political influence. Corporate voices matter to Congress, but the vast majority of businesses have been silent on the need for climate policy, or even opposed to it. Now is the time to reverse that trend.”

• Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund

The Climate Group

“As we enter the 2020’s - a critical climate decade - we urge all businesses in the U.S. to lead the way in calling for robust science-based climate policies. Our work with over 300 of the world’s largest businesses in more than 140 markets show the power of collective corporate action in shifting markets and shaping policies to advance the transition to renewable energy, electric vehicles and increased energy productivity. But time is running out. The world desperately needs more action - and businesses can and must provide bold leadership to advance science-based climate policies to help secure a safe and prosperous future, for all.”

• Amy Davidsen, Executive Director, North America, The Climate Group

The Nature Conservancy

“We need large-scale, urgent action to address our world’s climate challenges, and we won’t get there without bold partners in the business sector. While companies are making progress in reducing emissions within their own operations, they also have the power to drive policy changes that align business interests with smart climate policy. We applaud those who have stepped forward already, and we ask others to follow their lead in lending their influence and resources to advancing science-based climate policy, not just for the planet, but as a smart investment in our nation’s long-term economic future.”

• Sally Jewell, Interim CEO, The Nature Conservancy

Union of Concerned Scientists

“Scientists have made it clear we need to reach net-zero by midcentury to avoid devastating climate impacts—and we won’t get there unless we slash emissions quickly. Growing corporate climate commitments are a necessary start, but they are no substitute for moving the federal government to address this problem. Today we are setting a clear expectation that good corporate citizenship means strong advocacy for climate solutions.”

• Kenneth Kimmell, President, Union of Concerned Scientists

World Resources Institute

“Nearly seven hundred corporations have committed to setting aggressive, science-based emission reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement. By choosing this route, rather than being forced into it, these companies are demonstrating a deep knowledge of modern economics, recognizing that this benefits their bottom line. A natural next step that true corporate leaders are already leaning into is to align their science-based sustainability ambitions with vocal policy advocacy. A climate-forward policy environment will not only enable these companies to meet their commitments but will also ensure that others follow-their lead.”

• Andrew Steer, President and CEO, World Resources Institute

World Wildlife Fund

“Corporate voluntary science-based commitments have spurred progress and innovation. But alone they’re not enough. We need strong national policy and regulations to protect business and their customers from the greatest risks of climate change. And we need the voice of business to insist that our government leaders deliver the policies we need. It’s time for business to make this a policy priority - not only for their own government relations teams but also for the trade organizations that represent their interests.”

• Carter Roberts, President and CEO, World Wildlife Fund, United States