Why it matters:

Despite the lack of groundbreaking climate action inside the Bella Center, outside NGOs, developing nations, and (most surprisingly) corporations were putting their heads together to develop new, effective strategies in the battle against climate change.

Recap:

For a lot of people the COP15 conference was a lot like one of those live Fox broadcasts of scientists opening an Egyptian tomb — Weeks of dramatic build-up! Promos upon promos! Finally sweeps weeks rolls around and the big day is upon us. Hundreds of Americans tune in with baited breath (everyone else is watching “Two and a Half Men”). Then comes the big reveal… A dark, musty room with a jar lying in the corner. The reporter tries to sound excited, “A jar! My God, this could have been used by an actual Pharoah, perhaps as a bedpan!” (Nevermind that this is a TOMB!) Meanwhile the archaeologists just kind of stand around, toeing the dust with their boots, saying, “Aw, hell.”

In short, a letdown (see our wrap-up here). But in the case of COP15, a letdown with potentially disastrous consequences. (Talk about a curse! How do drought, pestilence, and war grab yah?!)

While U.S., Chinese, and Indian officials were taking bold steps to combat climate change like, “No air conditioning at all on Thursdays! Unless it’s really hot. Like, high 80’s– Wait, mid 80’s. Yeah.” Elsewhere in the Bella Center and beyond, seemingly disparate groups were finding common ground, and developing strategies for actual climate action. Friend of EcoMatters, James Hanusa, was on the ground in Copenhagen (thank you gravity!), and witnessed the fraternizing first hand.

Who were these unlikely bedfellows? Ford and Chevy drivers? Those “Tastes great! Less filling!” fellows? (Did I just date myself?) No! This climate Voltron came in the form of NGOs, developing nations, and… corporations?!

Yes, corporations. Especially the 23 members of the World Wildlife Fund’s Climate Savers program, who met for a CEO roundtable in Copenhagen to discuss big business’ role in climate action leadership. Unarguably, many companies around the globe have made sustainability a priority from their inception, from ice-creamers like Ben & Jerry to clean-freaks like Seventh Generation. From its early days making carabiners, my own personal favorite, Patagonia has vowed to put the planet first. (Just in case founder Yvon Chouinard is a reader, it gets chilly in my apartment sometimes. And I wear a large). But as companies go, Patagonia isn’t exactly a global powerhouse.

Johnson & Johnson, Nike, IBM, HP, Coca-Cola. Now, those are big companies, and all members of the WWF Climate Savers program. While the governments of rich nations take negligible steps to regulate industrial emissions, some giants of industry are happily regulating themselves. Climate Saver participants have crunched the numbers and here’s what they say: Saving the Planet is good for the bottom line, greenhouse gas emissions should be seen as a form of waste, and (as we all know) there’s no time to lose.

Commentary:

Some might say that this Climate Saving sounds a lot more like climate mitigating. (Carbon offsets, anyone?) Granted, the 23 members of the Climate Savers programs are some of the biggest corporations in America, beholden to black ink, and responsible for a ton or two… million of atmospheric carbon each year. But these corporations also understand their place in the ecosystem, or at least have decided that long term growth and success means doing their part to ensure climate stability… unlike some corporations. (It’s tough to convince people to buy radical kicks and sweet LED TVs when they’re shooting each other over who gets the last rutabaga.)

These companies have pledged to take a lead-by-example approach: cataloging the carbon footprints of their products (like *GASP* Walmart) and taking measures to reduce that footprint, stream-lining and cleaning up supply chain and production processes, and engaging and encouraging employees to integrate sustainability into their home life. WWF CS member Johnson Diversey, a giant of cleaning products, has pledge to cut emissions by 25% by 2013.

“Coca-Cola? It’s like mainlining High Fructose Corn Syrup!” All of these companies have their faults, and the government has yet to turn the screws on the corporate world. Nevertheless, these companies are taking up the torch and trying to lead their peers out of the proverbial cursed Egyptian tomb and into the light of sustainability.

And that’s what you call a bookend! Nice!

Here’s what we call…

Creative Solutions:

• See what the Climate Savers are doing to make a difference
• Join 350.org
• Green Your Business
• Go see “No Impact Man”
• Understand Climate Change through Interactive Simulations
• Write a letter
• Support the Center for Public Integrity
• Become a Member of the Rainforest Action Network, Krypotinite to Big Business

Tagged as: Ben & Jerry's, Climate Action, climate change, Climate Savers, coca cola, COP15, Copenhagen, corporation, HP, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Johnson Diversey, NGO, Nike, Patagonia, Seventh Generation, UN, World Wildlife Fund, WWF