Global Climate Coalition
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Frank Maisano, GCC (202) 628-3622
GCC: Industry Voluntary Actions Already Important Factor
Candidate Focus, Legislative Efforts Highlight Key Role
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2000 — The Global Climate Coalition (GCC) today released its third annual
inventory of industry voluntary actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during a new technologies
conference it held jointly with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The conference was aimed at increasing
the role of technology in addressing climate issues to help develop and improve national energy strategy.
"With intense focus on our national energy strategy and the increasing number of voluntary programs
and partnerships industry is developing, it's important to continue improving our long-standing,
aggressive efforts that are bringing the technologies that increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions
to the market," said GCC Executive Director Glenn Kelly, "We are proud of industry's efforts over the
last 25 years to improve our environment and still keep our economy the strongest in the world."
Today's conference on Capitol Hill featured the keynote address from Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) who has
introduced comprehensive climate change legislation that aims to increase science, research and
development and voluntary reporting programs. Dan Reicher, the Department of Energy's Assistant
Secretary for Energy Efficiency, also addressed the conference discussing the role of technology in
advancing foreign policy.
Several legislative efforts in Congress have focused on voluntary action by industry, including Craig's
plan and another by Sens. Murkowski (R-AK), Byrd (D-WV) and Hagel (R-NE). Experts from various
industry sectors also made presentations about exciting advances being undertaken.
Jay Hakes, former Administrator of DoE's Energy Information Agency, also made a presentation on
voluntary actions already being implemented. According to Hakes, more than 1,500 projects were
implemented and reported in 1998, a three-fold increase in just four years.
"GCC members have long advocated voluntary programs as a common sense way of addressing the;
climate issue," Kelly said. "With a number of scientific, economic and diplomatic uncertainties ,
surrounding the issue, practical action — like these voluntary, technology-based efforts — is a prudent and
effective path to follow."
NOTE: A summary of individual industry voluntary actions and a summary of EIA's 1605(b)
voluntary industry actions reports are included.
Established in 1989, the Global Climate Coalition is an organization of trade associations representing more than 4 million
businesses, companies and corporations, providing a voice in the international policy debate on global climate change.