Washington (May 21, 2019) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chair of the Senate Climate Change Task Force, hosted this week’s meeting with CEOs leading the charge on climate change action. Leaders from Ceres, DSM North America, North America of Group Rossignol, and the Colorado Ski Country USA discussed the tremendous power corporations have to make progress on climate goals. Globally, 555 companies have joined the Science-Based Targets Initiative, which sets goals in line with what the latest climate science indicates is necessary to meet the Paris climate agreement and limiting global warming. Additionally, more than 175 major corporations have committed to powering their operations with 100 percent renewable energy.

“Action on climate isn’t just good for the planet, it’s also good for business,” said Senator Markey. “I applaud the efforts of corporate leaders to address the climate crisis. In partnership with allies in the private sector, Congress should take significant steps to avoid catastrophe and create certainty for our economy and American families.” 

Last year, the America’s Pledge Report found that current policies and existing pledges, including those from private sector leaders, will deliver economy-wide emissions reductions of 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. Even with enhanced ambition from businesses, as well as states and cities, emissions reductions would still be short of the U.S. commitment under the Paris climate agreement.

Melanie Mills, president and CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA:

“Colorado’s ski industry is the crown jewel of Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy with an annual $5 billion economic impact that supports nearly 50,000 jobs in our state’s mountain communities. Climate change is an urgent threat to Colorado’s winter recreation economy, but we can’t tackle the threat alone. We need Congress to put forward a policy response that addresses the severity of the challenge including initiatives that will reduce carbon emissions, incentivize renewable energy development and improve our resiliency in the future.”

Francois Goulet, CEO of Rossignol:

“The ski industry is on the front lines of climate change, and our business is starting to feel the impacts of increasingly unpredictable seasons. As an industry that contributes $72 billion to the US economy, and as a leading brand within this industry, Rossignol is committed to leveraging our influence to address climate change head-on.”

Hugh Welsh, general counsel and president of DSM North America:

“DSM North America has long recognized that pricing carbon and strengthening the economy are not mutually exclusive. That is why we adopted our own internal price on carbon to help us do our part to tackle climate change. However, we can’t do it alone. We also need Congress to pass comprehensive climate legislation that includes a strong price on carbon—which we understand to be the best way to help businesses both reduce our carbon footprint and spur continued economic growth.

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