International Paper, Baxter International, Holnam Inc., and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Join New Effort to Solve Climate Change Problem

Copyright 1998 PR Newswire July 29, 1998

    The Pew Center on Global Climate Change announced today that International Paper, Baxter International, Holnam Inc., and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. are joining the Pew Center's effort to combat the problem of climate change.

As new members of the Pew Center's Business Environmental Leadership Council, these companies join other Fortune 500 companies that represent a diverse group of corporate interests -- including auto manufacturing, energy and major appliance and technology producers.

"The move by these new companies to join our effort represents a major shift in the climate change debate. There is no denying that there is now a legitimate and forceful presence in the center of this debate, which recognizes that there are solutions to climate change that can keep both the environment and the economy healthy," said Eileen Claussen, executive director of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change.

Launched in May of this year, the Pew Center on Global Climate Change was established with $5 million in support from one of the nation's largest philanthropies, The Pew Charitable Trusts. The Pew Center is conducting studies, launching public education efforts, promoting climate change solutions globally and working with businesses to develop marketplace solutions to reduce greenhouse gasses.

As with the current members of the Business Environmental Leadership Council, each of the new companies announced today has a significant stake in the climate change issue:
    -- International Paper Company is one of the largest forest products
        companies in the world;
    -- Baxter International is a global medical products and services company
        that focuses on critical therapies for life threatening conditions;
    -- Holnam Inc. is one of North America's leading suppliers of cement and
        mineral components;
    -- Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. is a global industrial gas and
        chemical company.
 
    Together, the companies in the Business Environmental Leadership Council
have combined revenues in excess of $370 billion.
    "We applaud these companies for stepping forward and demonstrating there
are steps businesses can and should be taking to address climate change.  The
Pew Center is looking forward to working with government, industry and the
public to find fair and equitable solutions to this very serious problem,"
said Claussen.  Claussen is the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for
Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.
    All members of the Business Environmental Leadership Council are committed
to the founding principles of the Pew Center:
 
    -- First, 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;
    -- Second, businesses can and should take concrete steps now in the U.S.
       and abroad to assess their opportunities for emission reductions,
       establish and meet their emission reduction objectives, and invest in
       new, more energy-efficient products, practices and technology;
    -- Third, the Kyoto agreement represents a first step in the international
       process, but more must be done both to implement market-based
       mechanisms that were adopted in principle in Kyoto and to more fully
       involve the rest of the world in the solution;
    -- Fourth, we can make significant progress in addressing climate change
       and sustain economic growth in the United States by adapting reasonable
       policies, programs and transition strategies.
 
    The founding members of the Business Environmental Leadership Council
include:  American Electric Power Company, Boeing, British Petroleum, Enron,
Intercontinental Energy Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Maytag, Sun Company,
3M Company, Toyota, United Technologies Corporation, U.S. Generating Company,
and Whirlpool Corporation.
    The Pew Center will run print advertising, beginning Thursday July 30th,
in several national publications announcing the new members of the Business
Environmental Leadership Council.  The advertising will feature the prominent
logos of the entire Business Environmental Leadership Council and end with the
tagline: "Climate change is serious business -- for all of us."
    More information about global climate change and the Pew Center's
activities can be found at their web site, located at
http://www.pewclimate.org.
 
SOURCE  Pew Center on Global Climate Change
     CONTACT: Kelly Sullivan or Shannon Hunt, both for the Pew Center, 202-289-5900

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