Business Roundtable Launches Climate RESOLVE

Published May 1, 2003

The Business Roundtable (BRT) announced on February 12 a large-scale initiative to voluntarily reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of its member companies. The initiative, Climate RESOLVE (Responsible Environmental Steps, Opportunities to Lead by Voluntary Efforts), marks a significant milestone in voluntary efforts to reduce GHG emissions.

“The Climate RESOLVE initiative is based on our strong belief that every company in every sector of the economy has a role to play in helping control greenhouse gas emissions,” said E. Linn Draper, chairman of the BRT’s Environment, Technology and the Economy Task Force and chairman, president, and CEO of American Electric Power.

“Under the Climate RESOLVE initiative,” Draper promised, “the world will see a dynamic snapshot of the American economy, from manufacturing to energy to financial services, resolving to collectively address global climate change.”

The BRT, a membership organization representing roughly 150 of the country’s largest companies, aims to improve public policy by making sure the private sector is heard. The group boasts as its distinguishing feature the active participation of corporate CEOs.

Leading through Voluntary Action

James L. Connaughton, chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, welcomed the RESOLVE initiative.

“The BRT’s members are continuing to lead the way in managing greenhouse gas emissions effectively through voluntary actions,” Connaughton said. “Through their commitment to continuous innovation and the hard work of their managers and employees, The Business Roundtable and its members are leading by example, and their efforts should inspire other companies and other business groups to follow suit.”

The BRT presented a two-day workshop February 25-26 in Washington, DC to help its members identify ways to better manage GHG emissions. The workshop offered member companies practical advice on reducing, offsetting, sequestering, and avoiding GHG emissions. Speakers included top officials from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency, environmentalist group spokespersons, and representatives from companies with first-hand experience in managing GHG emissions.

In addition to holding workshops to assist member companies, the BRT is providing one-on-one consulting support, an implementation workbook, and real-life examples of cost-effective greenhouse gas reduction strategies.

BRT Rejects Costly Mandates

“The Business Roundtable accepts the President’s challenge to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with economic productivity while still generating economic growth,” said Draper. “With this initiative, The Business Roundtable is demonstrating that every corner of this economy is willing to work toward this far-reaching goal.”

“The BRT believes that the development and deployment of breakthrough technologies will provide the most effective long-term response to concerns about global climate change,” said John J. Castellani, president of The Business Roundtable. “In the meantime, BRT member CEOs will apply their best management thinking to make American companies among the most greenhouse-gas efficient in the world.

“Climate RESOLVE will prove that voluntary actions can deliver continued economic growth, minimize the risks of climate change, and foster innovation and investment in new technologies–without costly government mandates and rigid compliance timetables,” added Castellani.


For more information …

contact Tita Thompson, BRT spokesperson, at 202/872-1260, or visit the BRT Web site at http://www.brtable.org.