Five major US companies – employing more than 100,000 people – have signed the Climate Declaration, which calls for federal action by the American government to tackle climate change.
The declaration states that “Tackling climate change is one of America’s greatest economic opportunities of the 21st century – and it’s simply the right thing to do.”
Microsoft, Owens Corning, Diageo, Thornton Tomasetti and Acer America Corporation have all joined the more than 650 companies already signed up to the petition.
Paul Gallagher, President of North America Supply for drinks company Diageo said: “Like many other companies we believe that investing responsibly in a variety of environmental sustainability initiatives is important for our long-term business growth. That’s why we have invested in projects like renewable energy, waste reduction and more sustainable packaging.”
The declaration is run by the non-profit environmental organisation Ceres and its Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy (BICEP) network.
Anne Kelly, Policy Director at Ceres and Director of BICEP said: “Policymakers must realise that the old political paradigm of ‘It’s the environment or the economy – pick one’ is a false choice. American businesses are ready to combat climate change and policymakers should join them in leading the way.”
In April 32 companies including L’Oreal, Nestle, Nike and eBay added their signatures to the declaration.
