Dozens of leading U.S. companies are calling on Congress to prioritize investments that can accelerate the transition to a resilient, net-zero economy in any infrastructure legislation.
In a joint statement organized by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, 41 companies cited the physical and economic risks posed by climate change, which have already begun to critically stress infrastructure, and pointed to the urgency of low-carbon infrastructure investment as an engine for economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
The companies include top names in the power, aviation, tech, finance, manufacturing, chemicals, oil and gas, cement, mining, food, and retail sectors.
C2ES organized the statement as part of our Climate Innovation 2050 initiative, which works with companies to examine U.S. decarbonization challenges and solutions. The initiative earlier produced Getting to Zero: A U.S. Climate Agenda, outlining federal, state, and local policies to put the United States on the path to carbon neutrality, and Restoring the Economy with Climate Solutions: Recommendations to Congress.
Full text and signatories:
IN SUPPORT OF NET-ZERO INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
Infrastructure is the backbone of our nation’s economy. Climate change has already begun to critically stress that infrastructure, and our need for a rapid shift toward a low-carbon future has fundamentally altered the infrastructure needed to grow our economy in that future. Sustained U.S. global leadership on climate change is crucial, and embracing ambitious commitments in support of the goals of the Paris Agreement is an important step. As many of us urged in a December statement, the Biden administration and Congress must work together to pass ambitious, durable climate policy to meet this global challenge. The infrastructure package now being discussed represents an invaluable opportunity, and we urge Congress to prioritize investments that will facilitate the transition to a resilient, net-zero economy.
There is an urgent imperative to act now to reduce the economic and physical risks of climate change. Modern, resilient infrastructure can not only reduce these risks, but also create significant economic opportunity in cities and small towns across America. We view climate action as a business imperative. We are taking ambitious actions to reduce emissions and making significant investments in clean energy systems that will shape the global economy in the decades ahead. Success on both fronts requires access to reliable, affordable, clean electricity and clean thermal energy for industry, buildings, decarbonized freight and passenger transportation, as well as broadband and other digital infrastructure. Our competitiveness as a nation relies on access to infrastructure that enables innovation and incubates the low-carbon industries of tomorrow in our communities.
Throughout our nation’s history, public investments in infrastructure have laid the groundwork for economic growth, spurring new industries and innovation, enhancing America’s competitiveness, and cementing U.S. global leadership. Congress has an opportunity to reassert that leadership by making investments in infrastructure, including projects built with low-carbon materials, that will not only ensure continued economic opportunity, but also help meet the needs of marginalized communities, low-income households, and workers and communities disadvantaged by the energy transition.
In the 21st century, U.S. global competitiveness will be closely intertwined with climate leadership. As Congress debates a variety of important questions about our nation’s infrastructure needs, there are myriad, sometimes competing, concerns and tradeoffs. Yet the urgency of accelerating the transition to a net-zero economy, while strengthening our resilience to future climate impacts, makes clear that investments in a resilient, net-zero future should be a priority for any infrastructure package. We stand ready to work with stakeholders on all sides and with our elected leaders to realize this historic opportunity to invest in our nation’s net-zero future.
ADM • AECOM • American Electric Power • Amazon • American Airlines • Arconic Corporation
Arizona Public Service Company • Bank of America • BASF Corporation • BHP • Carrier Corporation
Citi • CMS Energy • Danone North America • Dominion Energy • Dow, Inc. • DSM • Duke Energy
DuPont • Edison International • Entergy Corporation • Exelon • HP Inc. • IBM • Intel Corporation
Johnson Controls • LafargeHolcim • LanzaTech • Mars, Incorporated • National Grid • NRG Energy
Ørsted Offshore, North America • PG&E Corporation • PSEG • Shell • Schneider Electric
Siemens Energy, Inc. • Southern Company • Trane Technologies • Unilever United States
Wells Fargo
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This statement was organized by C2ES as part of our Climate Innovation 2050 initiative. We thank the Environmental Defense Fund for its assistance. |