The U.S. Chamber of Commerce may actually have a better idea than a cap-and-trade bill for cutting emissions. And, contrary to popular opinion, they do recognize climate change and the need for clean tech development.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce may actually have a better idea than a cap-and-trade bill for cutting emissions. And, contrary to popular opinion, they do recognize climate change and the need for clean tech development.
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It appears that the main reason the Chamber opposes a cap-and-trade bill in Congress is because it believes that it will not do enough to help businesses incorporate clean tech into their operations. It has issued an official statement detailing its position and has created an affiliate Institute for 21st Century Energy to develop what they call a "common sense energy strategy." According to Dan Laturno, the Communications Director for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce the Chamber has, in fact, proposed 88 different policy recommendations to Congress that reflect real-world approaches to helping businesses curb emissions.
A "cap-and-trade" bill does not necessarily lead to mass market clean tech outcomes. In fact, under Europe's carbon market system, it has often been cheaper to buy credits than invest in clean tech to reduce GHG emissions.
Putting a price on carbon seems to make sense, at first, as a way to rationalize ecological concerns into the economy. However, the reality is that it is a "round-about" way to actualize climate change goals. An effective climate policy should work directly with businesses to find ways to conserve energy and develop and deploy clean technology. This is what the Chamber is also proposing.
Shannon Arvizu is a Ph.D. Candidate in Environmental Sociology at Columbia University. Her work looks at the strategies of hybrid organizations in influencing industry-wide practices in the U.S. automotive field. You can find her on www.misselectric.com and www.thecleandeal.com.
Article continues: http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/11/clean-tech-and-cap-and-trade-the-real-deal-from-the-u-s-chamber-of-commerce/
