(by Clean Edge News) - A diverse group of U.S.-based businesses and leading environmental organizations today called on the federal government to quickly
enact strong national legislation to achieve significant reductions
of greenhouse gas emissions. The group said any delay in action to
control emissions increases the risk of unavoidable consequences
that could necessitate even steeper reductions in the future.



This unprecedented alliance, called the U.S. Climate Action
Partnership (USCAP), consists of market leaders Alcoa, BP America,
Caterpillar, Duke Energy, DuPont, FPL Group, General Electric,
Lehman Brothers, PG&E, and PNM Resources, along with four leading
non-governmental organizations – Environmental Defense, Natural
Resources Defense Council, Pew Center on Global Climate Change, and
World Resources Institute.



At a news conference at the National Press Club, USCAP issued a
landmark set of principles and recommendations to underscore the
urgent need for a policy framework on climate change. The solutions-
based report, titled A Call for Action, lays out a blueprint for a
mandatory economy-wide, market-driven approach to climate
protection.



“The time has come for constructive action that draws strength
equally from business, government, and non-governmental
stakeholders,” said Jeff Immelt, Chairman and CEO of General
Electric. “These recommendations should catalyze legislative action
that encourages innovation and fosters economic growth while
enhancing energy security and balance of trade, ensuring U.S.
leadership on an issue of significance to our country and the
world.”



USCAP’s recommendations are based on the following six
principles:


• Account for the global dimensions of climate change;

• Recognize the importance of technology;

• Be environmentally effective;

• Create economic opportunity and advantage;

• Be fair to sectors disproportionately impacted; and

• Recognize and encourage early action.



The principles and the recommendations outlined in A Call for Action
are the result of a year-long collaboration motivated by the shared
goal of slowing, stopping and reversing the growth of greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions over the shortest period of time reasonably
achievable.



This unique cooperation of business and environmental leaders is a
clear signal to lawmakers that legislative action is urgently
needed. This non-partisan effort was driven by the top executives
from member organizations—companies with a combined market
capitalization of more than $750 billion and environmental groups
with more than one million members worldwide and global policy
influence.



A Call for Action reflects a growing public concern about global
warming. A recent TIME Magazine/ABC News/Stanford University poll
finds that a significant majority of Americans, about 85 percent,
say they believe global warming is probably happening. An even
larger percentage, 88 percent, say they think global warming
threatens future generations.



USCAP urges policy makers to enact a policy framework for mandatory
reductions of GHG emissions from major emitting sectors, including
large stationary sources and transportation, and energy use in
commercial and residential buildings. The cornerstone of this
approach would be a cap-and-trade program. The environmental goal is
to reduce global atmospheric GHG concentrations to a level that
minimizes large-scale adverse impacts to humans and the natural
environment. The group recommends Congress provide leadership and
establish short- and mid-term emission reduction targets; a national
program to accelerate technology research, development and
deployment; and approaches to encourage action by other countries,
including those in the developing world, as ultimately the solution
must be global.



“The Climate Action Partnership recognizes that the undertaking to
address climate change is an enormous one, and should not be
underestimated,” said Jonathan Lash, President of the World
Resources Institute. “But enacting environmentally effective,
economically sustainable and fair climate change law must be a
national priority.”



USCAP believes that programs to encourage efficiency and to promote
cleaner technologies in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 enacted by the
last Congress and supported by the President were a good step.
However, they alone cannot get us to where we need to be on the
climate change issue. A mandatory system is needed that sets clear,
predictable, market-based requirements to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. The members of USCAP pledge to work with the President,
the Congress and other stakeholders to confront this vital global
challenge.