Big business backs Obama’s climate change plan

Following President Obama’s unveiling of his sweeping plan to address the threat of climate change earlier this week, more than 50 companies have backed his stance on national climate change strategy.

The President’s plan answers the call of the nearly 500 businesses that have signed the Climate Declaration who see tackling climate change as an American economic opportunity. The Declaration, which has been endorsed by major companies such as General Motors, Nike, IKEA and Unilever, was launched this spring by the business network BICEP (Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy), which is coordinated by Ceres. And senior executives from many of those companies (including Nike, Unilever and Levis Strauss) have all issued supporting statements.

Obama’s plan also received enthusiastic support from Silicon Valley leaders like eBay and Intel.

“The President's call to action rings true and reminds us that the burden of tackling climate change rests on all sectors, communities and countries,” said Lori Duvall, Global Director of Green, eBay Inc.

In addition, Starbucks, Ben & Jerry's and New Belgium Brewing took to social media to express their support.

Anne Kelly, director of BICEP, a project at Ceres added, “American business leaders have been clamoring for action on climate change through initiatives like the Climate Declaration, and we are pleased to see President Obama heed their call. The President's climate change plan provides much-needed policies and guidelines that will strengthen our economy for the long term. Less pollution from power plants, stronger more-resilient towns and cities – these are standards that any business will welcome, and they set the nation on the right course for economic growth.”

For more information about the Climate Declaration, see www.climatedeclaration.us.