Business Roundtable’s Policy Further Proof of Corporate America’s Support for Urgent Climate Action

Statement of Victoria Mills, Managing Director, Environmental Defense Fund

“Leading businesses are making it clear that, in the face of unprecedented challenges, we cannot lose sight of another urgent and growing crisis, one that also poses severe threats to our communities and economy: climate change.

“The Business Roundtable’s climate policy statement is a powerful call on Congress to make climate policy a top priority. The group’s support for comprehensive, coordinated and market-based approaches shows that businesses are leading lawmakers on this issue.

“BRT’s policy unveiled today echoes the CEO Climate Dialogue’s Guiding Principles, which include putting a fair and economy-wide price on carbon and promoting equity. Earlier this month, Environmental Defense Fund along with other members of this group held virtual meetings with federal lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and in both houses of Congress to advocate such an approach.

“The CEO Climate Dialogue also believes the conversation about how best to develop a comprehensive, bipartisan climate policy should continue at full speed this fall, regardless of the election outcome. This conversation must also focus on how to guard against and alleviate the disproportionate impacts of climate and air pollution on disadvantaged communities.

“Leading businesses have made it clear that they support common-sense approaches to drive down emissions fast and cost-effectively, in ways that ensure equity and justice. It’s time for all businesses and lawmakers to step up to the climate challenge and move forward the bold and ambitious policies that our country and world need.”

- Victoria Mills, Managing Director, Environmental Defense Fund