Chambers of commerce and economic development organizations are claiming their seat at the table when it comes to clean energy policy, resilience, and climate discussions.
Clean energy and climate are everyday conversations in the business and policy world. With solar and wind energy becoming the cheapest form of new electric generation, and 70 percent of Fortune 100 companies setting clean energy goals, the transition to sustainable energy is undeniable. Clean energy is cheap, in demand, creating jobs faster than any other industry, and generating billions of dollars of investments across the country.
During this year’s Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives’ (ACCE) Annual Chamber Innovation Summit, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE), was pleased to host a webinar featuring three chamber executives from across the country who spoke about leadership in clean energy and climate discussions. Moderated by Susan Munroe, Deputy Director at CICE, the panel featured:
- Jose Becerio, Sr. Manager, Global Energy 2.0, Greater Houston Partnership
- Nic Glover, Vice President of Advocacy, Tampa Chamber
- Ann Silver, President and CEO, Reno + Sparks Chamber
Chambers and communities feel it is very important to lead out on climate action, resilience and clean energy in order to be competitive with other communities. Nic Glover dove in head first by simply picking up the phone and connecting with other chambers he knew were doing good work in the clean energy space, saying, “One of the wonderful things that the chamber world has is each other.” Glover goes on to say that working with members and elected officials sets up the chamber to be the perfect voice for the business community when conveying policy to members and expressing needs of the business community to government officials. “I think it’s incredibly important that any chamber aligns itself with its local municipality and city officials,” says Ann Silver.
The words ‘climate change’ used to be taboo, but throughout the years has been recognized by a majority of Americans as a threat to our economy and way of life. Carbon pricing is now supported by some of the most conservative business organizations and even the fossil fuel industry. This can create an opportunity for new businesses to emerge and take advantage of carbon taxes, and can lead to rapid energy diversification. Joe Beceiro says, “Even traditional oil and gas companies see their current business model as vulnerable and are looking to diversify their business models into new areas of energy.” Beceiro also expressed that federal incentives need to dramatically change and higher prices on carbon may be needed in order to develop sustainable business models.
Clean energy discussions can sometimes bring backlash from member businesses and industries hesitant of the transition to clean energy. “Any opportunity that we have to bring stakeholders from various impacted industries along early has been important in our success,” says Glover. “Bringing those stakeholders to the table so that you’re not developing people who are opposed to the chamber’s position but really have a voice in concert with the chamber. It doesn’t mean you’re going to win everybody over but you haven’t alienated them because you’ve listened, heard their concerns, and engaged them along the way,” says Silver.
Climate action and racial justice efforts go hand in hand in many communities across the country. Many times those impacted by extreme weather conditions are of low to moderate income families and minorities. “This is something that has risen to the top,” says Beceiro. Specifically in Houston “Mayor Turner’s climate action plan is specifically geared towards improving infrastructure and resiliency in low to moderate income communities.”
Becoming more environmentally conscious as a business has great benefits for growth and opportunities. Silver shared her chamber’s program that offered members a free green business certification class. Taught by experts in the community, the six week class honed in on what clean energy, and climate resilience and sustainability meant to each individual business. “The certification promoted businesses particularly among younger generations that want to know that a business is attentive to the environment,” says Silver.
One of the most essential functions of chambers is to advocate for strong economic business policy and legislation to help their communities thrive. Whether it’s EV infrastructure investment or advising members on why it’s good business to consider reducing its carbon footprint, or supporting a wind or solar project in the community, it’s all about supporting business growth, economic investment and job creation. Chambers not only need a seat at the table when making these critical decisions, but need to be seated at the head of the table leading them.
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Watch the full webinar here.
