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Nike, Apple, Johnson & Johnson, and other major international companies have opposed the US Chamber of Commerce’s negative stance on climate and clean energy legislation in the past year (as well as the hundreds of millions of dollars it is spending on lobbying against such legislation). Now, electronics retail giant Best Buy is putting on its boxing gloves as well.
Like others have announced, it says that the US Chamber of Commerce does not represent its views or interests on this key legislation.
“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization with varied business stakeholders and interests. Those interests among industry don’t always align; on the issue of climate change legislation and regulatory actions, we have certainly seen this to be the case. Best Buy has stated that we are supportive of comprehensive climate change legislation and working to move toward a low carbon economy. With regard to the Chamber’s climate initiatives, the Chamber has not spoken for Best Buy on these issues. We have shared our views with the Chamber and will continue to do so. Best Buy’s commitment to sustainability aligns with global interests in addressing climate change. Best Buy is an innovator in offering our customers products and services that enable them to live more sustainably. At the same time, Best Buy is addressing our own carbon footprint resulting in a positive impact on the economic, environmental and societal well-being of the planet.”
There is a lot of movement by investors and big business to promote strong climate and clean energy legislation. I think the momentum is growing.
Tim Hurst of Earth & Industry reports, “The move from Best Buy came after a group of 43 investors sent a letter to the company pressuring it to publicly distance itself from the Chamber several weeks ago and is the latest of several similar actions initiated by groups of powerful investors who favor strong climate and energy policy.”
This also comes just one month after Best Buy joined the Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP) coalition.
“We are honored to join BICEP in their efforts to advance legislation addressing climate change and promoting a clean energy economy,” Best Buy’s Senior Director of Government Relations Laura Bishop said at that time.
Best Buy has not chosen to leave the Chamber yet, but putting this statement out there is a big step forward. Who’s next?
via TreeHugger and Earth & Industry
Image Credit: Mr. T in DC via flickr under a CC license
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