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DENVER – The Colorado Chamber’s Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action Task Force today released a policy report following a year-long strategic collaboration among industry groups. The report lays out key recommendations and collective actions that can be taken at the state level to reach environmental goals and reduce emissions.
“Through this report, a group of leaders representing diverse industry sectors proactively came together over the last year to develop realistic and future-focused solutions to promote a clean environment and healthy economy,” said Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman. “Climate change is a long-term business issue, and we’re committed to collaborating with environmental advocates and policy leaders to reduce emissions and work towards decarbonization. We also must recognize that new technologies require flexibility and a clear regulatory framework to fuel private sector innovation and investment. There is path toward balancing a clean and healthy environment with a healthy economy, and this task force report lays out a plan to protect our environment without sacrificing growth, positioning Colorado as a leader in environmental policy solutions.”
Members of the Chamber’s task force, formed at the beginning of last year, included major industry associations and companies across Colorado representing transportation, energy, agriculture, manufacturing and more. The group commissioned Keystone Policy Center to provide expert facilitation and assist with goals, objectives, framework and documentation of outcomes.
The report outlines seven key policy recommendations focused on market-based solutions and cross-sector collaboration to advance a clean environment. Recommendations include permitting and regulatory reform for new technologies, infrastructure, and energy intensive trade-exposed industries. In addition, the report prioritizes incentives for innovative solutions like carbon capture, direct air capture, hydrogen energy and retrofitting for large commercial buildings. The recommendations also recognize the need to bolster the state’s workforce programs to build and maintain the infrastructure needed for the future.
A key outcome from the report is the creation of the Roundtable for Environmental Sustainability and Climate Urgency (RESCU), which will advise state leaders on policy changes and identify actions to help the state meet emissions targets. With the release of its report, the Chamber’s environmental task force will transition into the RESCU group, inviting members of the environmental community to participate and collaborate with industry.
The release of the task force report comes as state legislators convene for the 2024 legislative session this week. The Colorado Chamber has incorporated many of these environmental policy recommendations into its 2024 legislative agenda, including a focus on regulatory impact and cost, support for new technologies, improving industrial permitting, and workforce development.
To view the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action Report, please visit: https://cochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/Report-ESC-Action-Task-Force.pdf
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The Colorado Chamber of Commerce champions free enterprise, a healthy business environment and economic prosperity for all Coloradans. It is the only business association that works to improve the business climate for all sizes of business from a statewide, multi-industry perspective. What the Colorado Chamber accomplishes is good for all businesses, and that’s good for the state’s economy. It was created in 1965 based on the merger with the Colorado Manufacturers’ Association.