Climate Change Task Force | PCSD Home
November 26, 1997
President's Council on Sustainable Development
730 Jackson Place, NW
Washington, DC 20503
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Ten months ago you asked the PCSD to advise you regarding climate policy
options. We began our consideration of the climate issue with an examination
of what is known and what is still uncertain about the nature and
consequences of human caused change in the global climate. We have sought to
understand the economics of the issue, the technological challenges and
opportunities, and the links between the global, national and local actions
needed to begin to address the problem. As you have, we listened to a wide
range of experts, and sought the views and ideas of citizens.
One early result of the work of our Climate Task Force is agreement on a set
of climate policy principles calling for early action, international
commitments, accountability, flexibility, strong measures to encourage
technology, and fairness. This consensus statement about climate policy
from industry, environmental, citizen and state and local leaders is, as far
as we are aware, the first such agreement on climate policy. We will use
these principles to guide our own policy deliberations.
Although the debate over climate policy has grown angry and divisive as the
Kyoto meeting approaches, in this case leaders of major environmental
organizations, and automobile, oil, power and chemical companies have
listened thoughtfully to each other, and reached agreement. The participants
have shown vision and courage in producing this statement which emphasizes
the need for action, and articulates the basis for effective and sensible
policies.
We hope you will find this statement useful, and that it will provide a
useful foundation both for the upcoming negotiations, and for future policy
discussions within the United States. We would welcome your response and
guidance as we continue carrying out your request to recommend climate policy
options.
Sincerely,
Ray Anderson
Co-chair, PCSD
Chairman, Interface, Inc.
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Jonathan Lash
Co-chair, PCSD
Co-chair, Climate Task Force
President, World Resources Institute |
Dr. James Baker
Co-chair, Climate Task Force
Under Secretary for Oceans
and Atmosphere
U.S. Department of Commerce |
Steve Percy
Co-chair, Climate Task Force
Chairman, CEO, BP America, Inc.
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