Taking Action on Clean Energy and Climate Protection in 2012

A Menu of Effective and Feasible Private Sector Solutions

April 11, 2012

The private sector can take steps today that will help get us on the path toward achieving three critical goals: Produce more clean energy and grow the economy. Reduce pollution by saving energy and dollars. Build more resilient and balanced economies and communities. The private-sector actions outlined would achieve these goals, which are critical for accelerating the clean energy economic transformation that has already begun and for moving forcefully into anew economic era defined by stronger industries, better infrastructure, and a steadily growing middle class. We detail these recommendations in our paper Taking Action on Clean Energy and Climate Protection in 2012. Here are the private-sector highlights.
To generate a significant percentage of energy in our nation from low-carbon sources, private-sector leaders can: Start the build-out of the Atlantic Wind Connections offshore wind backbone page 15 Set internal industry standards to increase renewable energy use and reduce waste, especially in energy-intensive sectors page 16

To strengthen our economy by helping our industries and workers capture the economic opportunity of clean energy, private-sector leaders can: Build pathways for recruitment and job advancement in the utility industry page 28 To realize significant energy savings in all sectors of our economy, private-sector leaders can: Mobilize pension funds to invest in building efficiency page 41 Prioritize energy efficiency at corporate headquarters, across stores and manufacturing plants, and in the supply chain page 41 To reduce greenhouse gas pollution with carbon prices and smart clean energy standards, privatesector leaders can: Adopt corporate sustainability goals aimed specifically at lowering carbon emissions page 49 Develop and adopt a private industry standard for responsible fracking page 50

These sets of actions can be taken this year to boost clean energy, combat climate change, improve jobs growth, and promote our nations energy security. We dont need to wait.

Center for American Progress | Taking Action on Clean Energy and Climate Protection in 2012