We Mean Business president Nigel Topping spoke to Época Magazine's Planeta Blog and commented on the current sustainability situation in the United States under the leadership of the country's new president, Donald Trump.
CEBDS coordinates the campaign We Mean Business together with its local networks, creating synergy with numerous institutions to amplify the results in our country. CEBDS acts decisively in the implementation of short and medium-term plans, supporting events and initiatives that are aligned with the institution's positioning on climate change. In addition to the articulation and actions of advocacy with government agencies, academia and multilateral institutions. These efforts support the We Mean Business campaign in Brazil, stimulating and encouraging carbon pricing, which is a fundamental part of our agenda.
Interview originally published in Planet Blog – Época Magazine:
“If the US does not prepare for a clean economy, it will be left behind”
If President Donald Trump is really willing to take the United States off the path to a clean economy, how will modern businesses react? The organization We Mean Business can help answer this question. This is a coalition of business entities that brings together many of the largest global companies. The organization promotes the path to sustainability, such as renewable energy and lower carbon emissions. In Brazil, they work together with the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development. British Nigel Topping, president of We Mean Business, believes it is too early to know what the Trump administration will really be like in this area. But he anticipates that companies will not change.
ÉPOCA – What can we expect from the Trump administration in the area of sustainability? Will the transition to a cleaner economy that was underway in the United States stop?
Nigel Topping – We really don’t know. We only have a few clues. One is that he has stated that he rejects renewable energy. It’s possible that tax breaks for solar and wind power will be reduced. That wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. Also, there’s been a lot of talk about a possible exit from the Paris Agreement. So far, the president hasn’t mentioned it. The new secretary of state, although he comes from the oil industry, understands the science of climate change perfectly. He says it would be a bad idea not to be at the negotiating table for any climate agreement. He’s already signaled strongly that the United States will stay in the negotiations on this issue. The president’s business council just had its first meeting. It includes people like Elon Musk, founder of Tesla, a company that develops electric cars and batteries for renewable energy. It also includes the CEO of GM, which is about to launch the Bolt, which could be the first mass-market electric car in the United States. We don’t know what kind of influence they’ll have. They could tell the president about the benefits of a cleaner economy.
ÉPOCA – What if the Trump administration develops towards the worst-case scenario?
Topping – It depends on what you consider the worst-case scenario. The economy is resilient to government decisions. There is inertia on the path to a clean, low-carbon economy. No bank would finance new coal plants, for example. They are not economically viable. Even natural gas is more competitive. The fact is that renewable energy technologies are getting better and more economically efficient. There is no going back. In addition, there is the issue of the country's competitiveness. The Chinese have announced an investment of US$1,400 billion in renewable energy by 2020. If the Americans stop or back down, they will lose their position in the international market. If they do not prepare for a clean economy, they will fall behind. Chinese, Japanese and European manufacturers will benefit from a possible American lag. Just think of an example. In 1973, when the first oil crisis occurred, the American government reacted incorrectly. Now, half of the cars on the road in the United States are from Japan, South Korea or Europe.
ÉPOCA – How should American companies react?
Topping – The best way is to continue your business on the path you are on. Google has a goal of having 100% of renewable energy by 2017. Other giant companies like Apple, Ikea, Facebook, Starbucks and Johnson & Johnson also have goals to go all-renewable. This is good for the economy of these companies. It reduces costs. It is also good for the reputation of their brands. And these companies know that they need to prepare for future regulations that they will face in the rest of the world. So they should get ahead of the curve.
ÉPOCA – How would you convince a business leader who is skeptical about climate change?
Topping – There are probably few who still do not understand the climate challenge. They are generally well-educated scientifically. If one of them chooses not to believe, he will not be convinced by logical arguments. An alternative way of looking at the issue is the way the military does. If climate science is uncertain, that does not justify inaction. You do not prepare militarily when the enemy starts to invade your territory. You prepare because there is a chance of being invaded. And there are other reasons for a businessman to face climate change. Pragmatic reasons. The legislation and the market are giving signals. Even if you do not believe in any of this, you have to face regulations all over the world. If you do not modernize, you will be left behind.
Find out more at www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org
