6 Position Statement of the Global Climate Coalition The Global Climate Coalition (GCC) believes that the issue of significant climate change is best addressed near-term through private sector and government programs that are comprehensive, flexible and cost-effective. Comprehensive The Coalition supports programs that: • foster greater scientific understanding of Earth's climate systems. • acknowledge that total concentrations of greenhouse gases. not annual emissions, are key to limiting the risk of significant climate change. • cooperatively engage all nations in reducing the risk of global climate change. • consider all policy response options available to managing the risk of climate change, including adaptation, mitigation and sequestration. • thoroughly assess the economic and social impacts of specific climate policies and measures. • include all greenhouse gases in any policy or measure that aims to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions or concentrations. flexible The Coalition supports: • measures based on the individual economic. technological, social and other circumstances of each country, including timing of implementation. • programs designed to achieve multiple benefits, including protection of the environment, advancement of sustainable economic growth, and the enhancement of standards of living and human health. • programs that can be adapted to change over the years as more scientific and economic information becomes available. Cost-effective The Coalition supports programs that protect the environment and make economic sense, including: • voluntary industry initiatives and private sector partnerships with government • adaptation and carbon sequestration programs. • actions implemented jointly between and among all interested nations and industries. • research, development and use of market acceptable, energy efficient technologies. • increased relationships with regional and multinational banks to promote partnerships where appropriate. Reducing current scientific uncertainty about the risk of climate change and engaging in a transparent and balanced decisionmaking process that produces comprehensive, flexible, and cost-effective policy responses that address known climate risks are the cornerstones of the Global Climate Coalition's public policy.