Nike and Outdoor Industry Association were among a broad range of companies and investor to offered strong support for President Obama’s climate plan, even as the head of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) said it would put U.S. industry at a competitive disadvantage.
Supporters included signatories of the Climate Declaration, a statement calling on U.S. policymakers to capture the American economic opportunities of addressing climate change. The campaign, endorsed by major companies such as General Motors, Nike, Intel and Unilever, was launched this spring by the business network BICEP (Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy), which is coordinated by Ceres.
“Nike applauds President Obama’s leadership to mitigate climate change,” said Hannah Jones, VP sustainable business and innovation, Nike Inc. “Nike, together with a number of other companies, has signed the BICEP Climate Declaration urging action on climate change and we are supportive of the President’s focus on tackling this systemic challenge. Now is the time to work together on an innovative, bold framework. We look forward to reviewing the details of the President’s plans and working with the Administration, Congress, and other businesses to move forward on strategies to address climate change.”
At Aspen Skiing Company, VP of Sustainability Auden Schendler said Obama’s plan would help the Colorado ski industry thrive long into the future. “President Obama’s plan is what we’ve been waiting for,” said Schendler, “and we’re ready to start implementing it today.”
In a speech to the Independent Petroleum Association of America, however, NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons said Obama’s plan amounted to “unilateral economic disarmament” that would eventually make the U.S. less energy secure.
“Even if your sector is not directly affected by the President’s announcement today, you soon will be,” said Timmons. “The EPA is not going to stop with today’s announcement. First, it will be coal. Then it will be natural gas. Ultimately, this plan will make the United States less energy secure, less affordable and unable to meet our future energy needs.”
Outdoor Industry Association countered that the future of manufacturers, distributors and retailers of outdoor recreational products hinged on responding to climate change.
“We applaud President Obama’s remarks on climate,” said Kirk Bailey, VP, government affairs for OIA. “The outdoor recreation industry and the U.S. economy depend on climate stability. Americans spend $646 billion annually on outdoor recreation, supporting 6.1 million jobs. This requires safe, reliable access to outdoor recreation opportunities, which are threatened by climate change and volatile weather patterns. We are encouraged that the Obama administration has outlined important steps to addressing climate issues and hope this spurs a robust national discussion.”
Dupont, a major spuplier to the sporting goods industry, urged Congress to enact greenhouse gas emission laws.
“We are heartened by the growing range of greenhouse gas emissions reduction programs in both developed and developing nations, but recognize that in the U.S., Congress has not yet acted,” said Linda Fisher, vice president and chief sustainability officer for Dupont. “We believe that U.S. leadership in this area is important. Absent Congressional action, we think that prudent and cost-effective steps can be taken administratively in the U.S., and welcome the President’s announcement on actions the Administration will take. In particular, we think the President’s planned activities in the areas of efficiency, renewable energy and HFCs are constructive, and we applaud his leadership.”
