The campaign for carbon pricing have gathered new supporters as the push for the government policy has turned to popularity and gathering of numbers.
A total of 54 firms based in Australia have expressed support for the landmark bill pursued by the Labout led Parliament.
Almost 40 companies including Infigen, Grocon, and The Body Shop have signed on to a joint statement backing a price on carbon.
The companies join previous signatories including GE, AGL, Fujitsu, IKEA, Alstom and Pacific Hydro to make a total of 54 companies pledging their support for a carbon price.
The combined businesses represent a wide variety of sectors from across the economy including infrastructure, energy, capital, technology and retail. They have united behind the statement to encourage all members of Parliament to take positive action and assist Australia’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
The businesses agree that a carbon price with cost effective complementary measures is critical to reducing Australia’s emissions and ensuring Australia remains globally competitive as the rest of the world reduces their emissions.
The new wave of businesses signing the statement coincides with the launch of a website called Business for a Clean Economy. This has been developed out of concern that many businesses are not being represented in the current carbon price debate.
The site will allow other businesses, no matter what their size or industry, to show their support for a price on carbon. Current signatories are urging more businesses to sign the statement through the Business for a Clean Economy website: www.b4ce.com.au
The next four months will now see carbon price legislation drafted and debated in Parliament and business support will continue to provide an important voice in the debate.
Daniel Grollo, CEO of Grocon, said: “Personally I’m in favour of a cost on carbon. As I look forward in Australia, I see us at the threshold of some fantastic times and I get disillusioned when I see some critical decisions that need to be made for our future getting bogged down in politics.”
Mark Kindness, CEO of The Body Shop Australia, said: “Practicing responsible environmental stewardship and advocating for strong climate change legislation is a key priority for us as a business. We hope the price on carbon will act as an incentive for corporate Australia to think twice before choosing carbon intensive business
practices.”
The business statement
“As major Australian and international corporations and representative associations operating across the Australian economy we strongly support the introduction of a well-designed carbon price to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
“Australia must aim to be globally competitive in clean energy, energy efficiency and low-carbon technology. Pricing carbon is critical to providing business certainty and unlocking the jobs and investment that will accompany the transition to a prosperous, cleaner and internationally competitive economy.
“As the costs of action are outweighed by the costs of delay the carbon price should be implemented as soon as possible. A price should be accompanied by appropriate transitional assistance for households and business, as well as complementary measures that reduce emissions at least economic cost. We look forward to working with the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee and all members of
Parliament as they implement a carbon price.”
Signatories to the statement
Adelaide Solarsafe, AGL, Alstom Limited, AquaGen Technologies, ARUP, Australian Information Industry Association, Australian Radio Towers, Big Switch Projects, Better Place, The Body Shop, Carbon Markets & Investors Association (CMIA), Carbon Trade Exchange Ltd, Catholic Super, Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited, Climate Friendly, Combined Force, Consult Australia, East River Software, Energy Efficiency Council, Ferrostaal Group, Fronius Australia, Fujitsu, GE Energy, Goldwind Australia, Grocon Group, Hydro Tasmania, IKEA, Infigen Energy, ohnson Controls, Kell&Rigby, Local Government Superannuation Scheme, MEA, Microsolar System, Neo Power, Norton Rose, Pacific Hydro, Pacific Solar, Pangolin Associates, Pan Pacific Solar, Pinpoint Marketing Consultants, pitt&sherry, Pottinger, Reemerge, RES Australia, Solar 1, Solar Elec Services, Solar Shop Australia, Springers Low Voltage Specialists, Sun empire, SOLAR SYSTEMS, SunTrix, Sustainable Man, Transport and Logistics Centre, Wind Prospect, Windlab
The following organizations are also supporting this statement:
WWF, Clean Energy Council, The Climate Group, The Climate Institute, The Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC)
