Business Roundtable’s New Climate Policies and Principles Send a Clear Signal

I’m pleased to share that the Business Roundtable has just released a strong statement on climate policy—a strong signal that leaders of US companies are insisting on real change.

The US is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, but US public policy has not kept up with the innovative efforts by many in the private sector to curtail GHG emissions. At BCG, we recently announced our 2030 net-zero ambition, a step we’re taking to add to the work we do with clients around the world as they shift to a low-carbon economy.

But as the BRT statement makes clear, businesses can’t solve this urgent crisis on their own. The patchwork of federal and state regulations and policies implemented so far not only insufficiently ensure the future of this planet but have led to an atmosphere of uncertainty that significantly hampers the long-term strategy and investments of US companies.

The statement lays out a comprehensive federal climate strategy, which includes a market-based GHG reduction plan based on carbon pricing; investments in an innovation pipeline of new, low-GHG technologies; the design and development of resilient infrastructure; and much more. 

 Representing more than 15 million employees and $7 trillion in revenues, the BRT is well positioned to be an influencer in the climate debate. This new statement is a sign of cross-industry commitment to scale and accelerate progress toward a net-zero future, a remarkable showing of alignment among a great group of CEOs ready to spark important change.