Dive Brief:
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The White House Monday announced that more companies have joined the American Business Act on Climate Pledge, a show of support and a commitment to specific steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
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With the additions, the list now includes 81 companies, including several retailers. Levi's, Nike, Target, Procter & Gamble, Disney, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Microsoft, Kellogg's, McDonald's, and UPS are among the consumer brands and retailers joining in; Wal-Mart Stores Inc. signed on when the initiative was first launched in July.
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As part of the pact, companies detail ways they will cut down on energy use by their stores or manufacturing operations, institute or expand recycling programs, reduce water use, and aim for zero de-forestation in supply chains.
Dive Insight:
President Obama has been working with the business community as he tries to build up support for the United Nations climate negotiations in Paris next month.
While there remains doubt and push-back from several members of Congress over climate change, at times in the name of business, the President met with business leaders Monday to underscore the support within the business community for tackling carbon emissions and taking other sustainable measures.
“The perception is that this is an environmental issue, it's for tree-huggers, and that hard-headed business people either don't care about it or see it as a conflict with their bottom lines," Obama told reporters after the meeting, Reuters reports. "I just want everybody to understand that American businesses want this to happen as well.”
Retailers have much to gain by pursuing certain initiatives that would battle climate change, reduce waste and water use, and otherwise help the environment. In some cases, reducing energy use from coal-based sources also decreases energy costs, for example. Plus, many consumers, especially in that desirable millennial cohort, appreciate such moves and have said they’re more likely to shop at retailers that take meaningful steps to manufacture their goods and operate their stores in sustainable ways.