Getting to Zero: A U.S. Climate Agenda outlines the policies needed over the coming decade to put the United States on the path to carbon neutrality by 2050.
Developed with input from leading companies in key sectors, the agenda includes:
Getting to Zero is a product of C2ES’s Climate Innovation 2050 initiative, which brings together leading companies from all the major sectors to address the decarbonization challenge.
View the abridged, digital version
C2ES released the report on Nov. 13, 2019, with an event featuring remarks from U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Fred Upton (R-Mich.); a discussion with Exelon Generation CEO Kenneth Cornew, and a discussion with representatives of companies in key sectors: Mars, Inc., Dow, Intel Corporation, Entergy, and LafargeHolcim USA.
Video: Congressional Remarks
Video: CEO Perspective
Video: Views from Key Sectors
“The message is clear – we all need to do more to reduce carbon emissions. As the leading producer of clean energy in the U.S., Exelon recognizes the important role our industry plays in de-carbonizing the U.S. economy, and we’re committed to helping to drive the very business and policy outcomes needed to achieve carbon neutrality.”
– Ken Cornew, President and CEO, Exelon Generation
“Addressing climate change is one of the greatest social and economic problems ever faced by humanity. At Dow we accept the scientific consensus that climate change caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions from human activity has serious consequences for the planet and society if left unaddressed. We believe that climate change requires everyone working together, and as such we have engaged since the beginning in the multi sector effort through C2ES’s Climate Innovation 2050 initiative. Getting to Zero successfully outlines key strategies, actions and policies needed to have a path towards decarbonization.”
– Gloriamar Gamez, Energy Manager, Climate Change, Renewables and Regulatory, Dow
“Getting to zero will be a massive challenge requiring best efforts by all sectors of the economy. Under C2ES’ leadership, this report goes a long way to map out sensible – and doable – paths for many sectors, including technology.”
– Stephen Harper, Global Director, Environment, Energy and Sustainability Policy, Intel Corporation
“We’re pleased to have engaged with companies across multiple industry sectors through the Climate Innovation 2050 initiative. Electrification is an attractive decarbonization solution for many industries, but as described in this report and Entergy’s own climate report, the power sector also is in need of decarbonization solutions. This report outlines common sense policies and provides a road map for us all to enhance our work across and between sectors on reducing carbon emissions. This is the vision of a new Gulf Coast Carbon Collaborative launching in early December in New Orleans.”
– Rick Johnson, Director, Sustainability, Entergy Corporation
“LafargeHolcim and the cement and concrete industry play an important role in decarbonizing the U.S. economy. Smart policies, like those outlined in Getting to Zero: A U.S. Climate Agenda, can both reduce climate risk and strengthen U.S. competitiveness. We’re committed to working in partnership with investors, policymakers and the public to deliver climate solutions.”
-Michael LeMonds, Vice President of Environment, Land and Government Affairs, LafargeHolcim USA
“We are pleased to have collaborated with leading companies across sectors on the Getting to Zero report which identifies key policy opportunities to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.”
-Kathleen McGinty, Global Vice President of Government Relations, Johnson Controls
“Duke Energy commends C2ES for their thoughtful and comprehensive report, which provides important suggestions for how the U.S. can achieve deep decarbonization and recognizes the important role of natural gas in the power sector’s emission reductions thus far. We agree that an effective deep decarbonization strategy will require the utilization of existing and emerging zero-carbon technologies—such as renewables, nuclear, and carbon capture—as well as an aggressive commitment to the development of innovative energy solutions. Duke Energy recently announced our own plans to achieve at least 50% carbon reduction by 2030, and net-zero by 2050.”
-Vicky Sullivan; Federal Environmental and Energy Policy Director; Duke Energy