Best Buy's Issue with Chamber of Commerce’s Stance on Climate Change
Posted by Kelly Smith on Thu, Mar 25, 2010
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce continues to receive criticism from major companies for its reluctance to accept the science behind climate change. Nike, GE, and Apple are just a few of the major companies which have expressed displeasure with the Chamber's active lobbying against cap-and-trade policies in Congress. In addition to standing in opposition to clean energy legislation, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is actually attempting to convince the public that carbon dioxide emissions are beneficial to human health.
Best Buy is the most recent retailer to publicly denounce the Chamber's attempts to deny the science of global warming.
Best Buy released a statement on March 18 to make their opposition clear.
Best Buy has stated that we are supportive of comprehensive climate change legislation and working to move toward a low carbon economy. With regard to the Chamber's climate initiatives, the Chamber has not spoken for Best Buy on these issues. We have shared our views with the Chamber and will continue to do so. Best Buy's commitment to sustainability aligns with global interests in addressing climate change. Best Buy is an innovator in offering our customers products and services that enable them to live more sustainably. At the same time, Best Buy is addressing our own carbon footprint resulting in a positive impact on the economic, environmental and societal well-being of the planet.
Best Buy's sustainable business practices extend beyond reducing their own carbon emissions and advocating for strong energy legislation in the United States. One recent campaign encouraged consumers to recycle their old electronics. Best Buy even offers in-store recycling for some items.
Best Buy is a member of BICEP, or Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy. Other members include such American companies as Sun Microsystems, Gap, eBay, Starbucks, and Seventh Generation. BICEP members are committed to encouraging green jobs, reducing greenhouse gases, creating a national standard for renewable energy, starting a cap-and-trade system, and much more. BICEP offers a new forum for the business community to work together to combat global warming.