Caterpillar announced it has joined the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a group of businesses and environmental organizations that are calling on the U.S. to establish a mandatory emissions reduction program. As reported by GreenBiz.com, Caterpillar Inc. Chairman and CEO Jim Owens said, "As a global manufacturer, we're committed to being part of the process of finding policy solutions that meet the needs of our customers, including those currently involved in energy production." He issued this statement during a press conference held at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. on Jan. 23.
"Reducing greenhouse gas emissions can -- and should -- provide more economic opportunities than risks for industry and the economy," said Owens. "The goals of reduced emissions and economic growth are not mutually exclusive. As the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment and a technology leader, one of the reasons that Caterpillar is pleased to have a seat at this table is to focus on market-based solutions to issues that impact manufacturers and key customer groups, especially coal."
Owens cited clean coal, clean diesel and combined heat and power applications as examples of technologies that need to part of a climate change policy.
At the press conference the group issued a report entitled " A Call To Action Plan" which lays out a "blueprint for a mandatory economy-wide, market-driven approach to climate protection."
"The time has come for constructive action that draws strength equally from business, government and non-governmental stakeholders," said Jeff Immelt, Chairman and CEO of GE. "These recommendations should catalyze legislative action that encourages innovation and fosters economic growth while enhancing energy security and balance of trade, ensuring U.S. leadership of an issue of significance to our country and the world."
USCAP members include: Alcoa, BP America, Duke Energy, DuPont, General Electric, PG&E, PNM Resources and four leading non-governmental organizations - Environmental Defense, Natural Resources Defense Council, Pew Center on Global Climate Change and World Resources Institute.
The report is available at http://www.us-cap.org/ClimateReport.pdf
