The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), which represents more than 165,000 businesses nationwide and more than 300,000 entrepreneurs, executives, managers and investors, has thrown its support behind President Obama’s recent announcement to introduce new limits to carbon emissions from power plants and other pro-environment measures.
ASBC applauded President Obama’s plans to address greenhouse gas emissions and the growing economic uncertainties posed by climate change. The organization says climate change poses a serious threat to American businesses, such as disruptions to supply chains, increasing insurance premiums, structural damage from extreme weather events and rising energy and health care costs.
To succeed, ASBC says businesses must understand the potential opportunities and threats to their continued prosperity, as does the country. Only companies that adapt, advance new products, keep an eye on what their competitors are doing and address risks in the near term will remain competitive.
“We believe the President’s plan, with its focus on climate adaptation programs, efficiency standards for homes and appliances, greater renewable energy development on public lands and factoring in the social cost of carbon — will build a more resilient and market based transition to a clean energy economy,” an ASBC statement said. “This in turn will boost investment and create jobs. Addressing climate change now will create new economic opportunities and will allow the US to remain competitive. It’s an investment worth making.”
In February, President Obama appointed business executive and nature enthusiast Sally Jewell to join his cabinet as the next Secretary of the Interior. This was seen by many as an attempt to reconcile business interests with environmental concerns on the national stage and beyond.
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Founder & Principal Consultant, Hower Impact
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering best-in-class strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published Jun 25, 2013 11pm EDT / 8pm PDT / 4am BST / 5am CEST