4. Call for Action

U.S. companies are well positioned to communicate with government officials, other corporations and the general public about the importance of taking action on global warming. As your company makes progress on internal greenhouse gas management, you can increase your impact by spreading the word and calling for action from a number of stakeholders:

Government

Call on Congress to pass an aggressive, market-based cap on U.S. global warming pollution.

By mandating a national cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emissions, the federal government would create one set of rules to play by. A cap-and-trade system:

• guarantees pollution cuts,
• levels the corporate playing field,
• rewards innovation and
• lowers the prices of clean technologies.

Add your company’s voice to the growing chorus of scientists, Wall Street leaders, city and state government officials and leading corporations in calling for bold federal action on global warming. In addition:

• Lobby your state government to provide incentives for corporate reductions in energy use and investments in on-site renewable power generation;
• Publicly support the development of a uniform standard and registry for offset projects.

Suppliers

Leveraging your supply chain is a powerful strategy for further reducing your own emissions. Such a strategy can also motivate change in other companies. When suppliers increase efficiency, they will reduce the costs of wasted energy — resulting in savings that could be passed on to you.

Creative thinking should reveal numerous opportunities to leverage emissions reductions from your supply chain.

To get started,

• Ask your suppliers what they are doing to make operations more efficient and establish purchasing preferences for energy efficient suppliers;
• Ask your fleet management company for more efficient vehicle options (Read about our GreenFleets partnership with PHH Arval);
• Ask your power provider to increase the percentage of power generated using lower carbon sources; and
• Tell your fuel supplier that you support unified standards for lower carbon fuels.

Customers

Your company’s success in greenhouse gas management will provide a valuable opportunity to communicate with your customers and build stronger, positive relationships.

Use your experiences in addressing global warming to create educational materials that will aid customers in adopting your best practices.

Also consider products or services that your company can provide to help customers reduce global warming pollution.

Posted: 01-Jan-1900; Updated: 01-Jan-1900