US Chamber Of Commerce | The Green Economy Post: Green Careers, Green Business, Sustainability

An Example of Leadership in Business Sustainability

By Toby Webb on October 12, 2009 Comments Off on An Example of Leadership in Business Sustainability ACCCE, American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, Bonner & Associates, California, Climate Change, forged letters, House of Representatives, Jon Entine, leadership, lobby groups, NAACP, Obama administration, Peter Darbee, PG&E, SocialFunds.com, sustainability, The Economist, US Chamber of Commerce, Waxman-Markey

Lobby groups are ramping up opposition to the Obama administration’s climate change plans, however not all their plans are perfect. In these difficult times it’s vital that companies stand up for what they believe in. Too often over the past 15 years, many firms have said one thing in public, and then allowed their lobby groups to do the ‘dirty work’ of lobbying in short term financial interest for them. This is not always true of course. Sometimes NGOs have said this was happening when it may well not have been, such as in the case of Starbucks a few years ago. But in the case of climate change, we are seeing some very aggressive lobbying indeed. No doubt. And one group, the powerful US Chamber of Commerce, is really going way too far.

Businesses Break Ranks Over Climate Change: How Public Pressure Can Change Corporate Culture

By KLD_Blog on October 6, 2009 1 Comment AEP, Alan Petrillo, American Electric Power, Ann Fifield, capital markets, carbon emissions, CEO, climate policy, coal, coal state, Coal States, coal-friendly economy, corporate culture, culture of governance, David Vidal, engaged citizens, environment, environmental issues, Ethical Context, Exelon, financial markets, Financial Times, green credentials, Green Inc, Green Rankings, KLD Blog post, KLD forum, KLD Research & Analytics, lobbying, Mike Morris, National Resource Defense Council, Newsweek Green Rankings, NIKE, NRDC, Pete Altman, PG&E, recycling, reputation, sustainability, sustainability culture, Tennessee ash spill, The Conference Board, US Chamber of Commerce, utilities

Senior members of the US Chamber of Commerce are strdently opposing the Chamber’s position of opposition to climate policy. These organizations are eager “to boost their green credentials,” for fear of alienating their customers and senators. This is an indications that Social movements shape political power and concerned citizens, can move even the most entrenched corporate and political interests. NRDC research finds that “only 23 members of the U.S. Chamber’s board have a publicly stated position on climate change and more than 80 percent [19 members] are not on board” with the Chamber’s official position.