April 22, 2021

WASHINGTON — The CEO Climate Dialogue is a broad-based, cross-sector coalition of 26 leading businesses and institutions representing sectors across the U.S. economy — oil and gas, utilities, agriculture and food, automotive, chemicals, manufacturing, financial services, and environmental advocacy. We are united by the recognition that the economic, health, and environmental risks posed by climate change make it one of the greatest global challenges of our time. Today, in reaction to the Biden Administration’s release of the U.S. Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) the CEO Climate Dialogue issued the following statement:

 

“The targets and goals set forth in the U.S. NDC will create the foundation for U.S. climate action in the coming years, and it is critical that America’s climate ambitions align with the urgent needs of the climate crisis.

We commend the Biden Administration for putting forth an ambitious NDC as it will help elevate the role of the U.S. as a climate leader, accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy, bolster investment and innovation in clean energy technologies, increase U.S. economic competitiveness, create American jobs, and motivate other nations to achieve net-zero emissions.
 

The CEO Climate Dialogue sees ambitious climate action to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in line with achieving net-zero emissions across the economy by 2050 as critical to the long-term health of the U.S. economy. The emissions targets put forth today by the Biden Administration will help to put us on a path to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and well-designed policy, consistent with this target, will catalyze multiple sectors of the U.S. economy to accelerate their clean energy transitions to meet those targets.

This is a pivotal moment for climate action in the United States that requires the public and private sectors to work together to put in place climate policies that are market-based, durable, and promote equity. As Congress looks to enact climate solutions this year, it must not miss an opportunity to lock in the ambitious emissions reductions we need, and can achieve, with an economy wide market-based price on carbon and policies in line with our Guiding Principles.

 

As a cross-sector coalition of leading businesses and NGOs, the CEO Climate Dialogue looks forward to working with the Biden administration, Congress, and all stakeholders to ensure action is taken to enact climate change solutions this year that will help America achieve the ambitious goals set forth in the U.S. NDC.”
 

In March, the CEO Climate Dialogue sent a letter to the Biden Administration urging an ambitious NDC. To read the letter, click here.

In addition, please find below quotes from CEO Climate Dialogue Members in reaction to the release of the U.S. NDC:

"Dominion Energy is committed to significant emissions reductions as quickly as possible on our path to net zero emissions. Our nation’s leadership with the international community will help drive further progress in reducing emissions while accelerating clean energy technologies and job creation that are critical to our success."- Robert M. Blue, President and CEO, Dominion Energy

“President Biden has come through with a bold emissions reduction target that should make the world sit up and take note. This target will serve as the North Star for President Biden’s domestic agenda. It will create a more equitable and prosperous society. At a time when the country is looking to bounce back from the pandemic, this goal will help unleash millions of good jobs, boost business and drive innovation. The administration's commitment to cut emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030 is both ambitious and attainable. A body of research, including from WRI, shows the United States can achieve this target while building a stronger economy.”- Manish Bapna, President and CEO, World Resources Institute

 

“As the United States re-engages our global partners through the Paris Agreement, the ambitious nationally determined contributions (NDCs) put forth by the Biden Administration will help ensure we reach net-zero by 2050. These objectives should be supported by domestic policy that spurs innovation and advances our transition to a carbon-neutral economy, all while maintaining the competitiveness of our nation’s world-leading manufacturers. At Dow, we are committed to reducing our annual carbon emissions as we work towards carbon neutrality by 2050.”- Jim Fitterling, Chairman and CEO, Dow

“We are acting with urgency in our drive to net zero, and we are excited about the road ahead. But I want to underscore that this is not going to be easy. So we will all need pragmatism and partnership. And I can assure you, whether it’s the drive to net zero, or the other important parts of our ESG agenda – including closing the gender pay gap and promoting racial equity—we are backing up our commitments with real action and measurable results.”- Jane Fraser, CEO, Citi  

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“Ford supports lowering U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030, a goal that is consistent with our commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050 and achieve science-based interim GHG reductions in the meantime.  We’re proud to be the only full-line U.S. automaker committed to both reducing CO2 emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and working with California for stronger vehicle greenhouse gas standards.  Ford is investing more than $22 billion in electric vehicles globally through 2025 and will continue working with our dealers; union partners, including the UAW; and government agencies to combat climate change.  That’s good for customers, good for the planet and good for business.”- Bob Holycross, Vice President, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, Ford

 

“The Nationally Determined Contribution target from the Biden administration sets us on a bold path to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and shows that the U.S. is serious about addressing it. PSEG applauds the ambitious direction of the Biden administration to put us on a path to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy wide by 2050. From energy efficiency to preserving carbon-free nuclear energy, we’re proud to continue to support the policies and programs that bring about our clean energy future.”- Ralph Izzo, Chairman of the Board, President & CEO, PSEG

 

“This new target reasserts U.S. climate leadership at a pivotal moment for action. An ambitious and credible commitment is vital for elevating global ambition and curbing the most devastating effects of climate change. Going bold on climate will also position the United States to create the jobs of the future, while building a strong, equitable and clean economy. We look forward to working with businesses and advocates to turn this target into strong policy action that delivers.”- Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund
 

“We commend the Biden administration’s ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets. The NDC’s interim goals will help speed the transition to a clean energy economy, boost competitiveness and jobs at home and motivate other nations to increase the ambitions of their Paris commitments. bp aims to be a net zero company by 2050 or sooner, and to help the world get there, too. We look forward to working with the Biden administration and Congress on advancing policies that will help the US meet its NDC objectives.”- Dave Lawler, Chairman and President, bp America

“This new pledge –coupled with infrastructure improvements, increases in renewable energy targets, and leveraging the power of nature –will not only get the U.S. on the right path, but will create jobs and signal to the rest of the world that the United States is doing its part. We are heartened by the speed with which this new Administration has submitted this NDC to build global momentum, and we look forward to more detailed plans on how they will meet the target”- Jennifer Morris, CEO, The Nature Conservancy

 

“The Biden administration NDC sends an important signal to the world. We can only meet our long-term climate goals if we begin taking ambitious action today. The urgency of this moment will require leadership and collaboration between the administration and Congress to provide crucial support to state and local governments as well as the private sector in the coming decade.”- Bob Perciasepe, President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

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“PG&E and California have worked to achieve some of the nation’s most ambitious clean energy goals, but for climate action to be truly effective, it must take place at all levels of our government and economy. We applaud the Biden Administration’s action in advancing bold but attainable emissions reductions to accelerate our nation’s progress toward our clean energy future.”- Patti Poppe, CEO, PG&E Corporation

 

“Shell supports the U.S. 2030 NDC of 50-52% emission reductions below 2005 level. We look forward to doing our part to help the U.S. achieve this ambitious target on the road to a U.S. net-zero emissions economy by 2050. The U.S. ambitions align closely with Shell’s own.”- Gretchen Watkins, President, Shell Oil Company

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