Business Environmental Leadership Council (BELC)

The Pew Center's Business Environmental Leadership Council (BELC) was created at the Center’s inception under the belief that business engagement is critical for developing efficient, effective solutions to the climate problem.  We
also believe that companies taking early action
on climate strategies and policy will gain sustained competitive advantage over their peers.  The
BELC is now the largest U.S.-based association of corporations focused on addressing the challenges
of climate change, with 43 members representing $2.8 trillion in market capitalization and over 3.8 million employees.  Many different sectors are represented, from high technology to diversified
manufacturing; from oil and gas to transportation; from utilities to chemicals.  This section of our site provides information on the activities and contributions of BELC members as well as business and climate resources.

The members of the BELC recognize that the risks and complexities of climate change are so important that we must work together to meet this challenge. They are united with us in several beliefs:

1. We accept the views of most scientists that enough is known about the science and environmental impacts of climate change for us to take actions to address its consequences.
2. Businesses can and should take concrete steps now in the U.S. and abroad to assess opportunities for emission reductions, establish and meet emission reduction objectives, and invest in new, more efficient products, practices and technologies.
3. The Kyoto agreement represents a first step in the international process, but more must be done both to implement the market-based mechanisms that were adopted in principle in Kyoto and to more fully involve the rest of the world in the solution.
4. We can make significant progress in addressing climate change and sustaining economic growth in the United States by adopting reasonable policies, programs and transition strategies. 

The Pew Center receives no financial assistance from the companies of the BELC.  The companies demonstrate leadership in addressing climate change by establishing and meeting emissions reduction objectives; investing in new, more efficient products, practices, and technologies; and supporting action to achieve cost-effective emissions reductions.

For queries related to business, capital markets, and the BELC, please contact:

Truman Semans
Director for Markets and Business Strategy
(703) 516-4146