Global Climate Action Agreement Will Unleash New Opportunities for Small Businesses
Statement by John Arensmeyer, Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority, on the Paris Climate Agreement and its impact on small businesses
Representatives from nearly 200 nations passed a landmark global climate action plan on Saturday, which will reduce carbon pollution and promote a clean energy economy. This is great news for small businesses because entrepreneurs believe strong clean energy policies are good for the economy, the environment and their bottom lines.
Referred to as the Paris Agreement, the plan establishes a long term, global framework to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change and extreme weather and provides a clear market signal that we are moving towards a global clean energy economy. This will spur growth in the clean energy sector, bringing new business opportunities to many small businesses that stand to benefit from new technologies and demand for the goods and services they provide.
Additionally, small businesses believe strong clean energy policies can help them save money and boost their bottoms lines. In fact, Small Business Majority's scientific opinion polling found nearly two-thirds of entrepreneurs agree the expanded use of renewable energy sources can help small businesses lower their utility bills and provide new business opportunities for entrepreneurs. What's more, nearly 9 in 10 entrepreneurs believe improving innovation and energy efficiency are good ways to increase prosperity for small firms.
Entrepreneurs understand clean energy can stimulate the economy and create new jobs now, and believe we should be investing in this area to spur growth. We're glad the Paris Agreement has been reached so small businesses have the certainty they need to participate in the growing clean energy economy.
About Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority is a national small business advocacy organization, founded and run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses today. Since 2005, we have actively engaged small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and have delivered information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong, sustainable economy. We are a team of more than 30 working from our 11 offices in Washington, D.C. and 9 states, with a network of more than 45,000 small business owners and more than 2,000 business organizations, along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 125 business organizations, enabling us to reach more than 500,000 entrepreneurs. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about issues including taxes, healthcare, access to capital, entrepreneurship, workforce development, clean energy and immigration. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.