On the first day of the summit, I represented CABA on a bipartisan panel including academic Robert Pollin, activist Lauren Maunus from the Sunrise Movement, and Alex Bozmoski from republicEN.  I emphasized the importance of businesses taking action on state and federal policy by collaborating with legislators and policy makers. We focused on how these tactics can be used to put a price on carbon pollution and reviewed the pros and cons of the Green New Deal. By looking beyond the next quarter and creating bipartisan support for investing in green infrastructure and clean energy, we can utilize market-based solutions and public policies at the state and federal levels to promote a sustainable economy. 

CABA Programs Director, Kristin Kelleher, emphasizing the need to build coalitions to find common ground on strategies to meet our emissions reductions targets and move the needle on policy.

The overwhelming theme at the summit recognized that major private sector brands and business groups acknowledge the need to reform our economy (including Seventh Generation, LEGO, and Ben and Jerry’s among others). 

On the second day of the summit, I represented the CABA network on Capitol Hill  speaking with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s Office (carbon pricing champion), and Senator Markey’s Office (Senate sponsor of the Green New Deal). We discussed the private sector’s pivotal role in creating solutions to the climate crisis, the impact of collective action, and the importance of business voices taking a political role to back smart environmental policies that ensure a more responsible, sustainable, and prosperous economy. 

With major rallies and coalitions coming together, it is clear that business activism is escalating. At the summit, conversations centered on how climate change impacts are affecting our communities, families, employees and clients. Reports from the scientific community are urging a transformation of our economy away from fossil fuels and towards clean energy sources. 

With technological innovation thriving and major legislative initiatives on the table, like a price on carbon, the public and the private sector are eager to take action.

I was honored to stand with ASBC at their annual summit and represent the CABA Business Network. It is great to see how businesses can come together and leverage their collective voices to demand positive change from our lawmakers. The transformational change necessary in the coming decades as we move towards the low-carbon economy of the future will need the private sector as an ally and a leader in this movement.