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Date: July 02 2012
Almost 300 companies and groups have signed a statement backing the carbon price in a bid to balance the often louder voices of opposition from the business community.
Companies including AGL, Westpac, Alstom, GE, Fujitsu, IKEA, Unilever, Grocon, Pacific Hydro and Infigen Energy have signed the statement that will feature in print and online media from today.
While business organisations like the Business Council of Australia think the starting price of the new tax is too high, the 299 companies calling themselves ''Businesses for a Clean Economy'' are endorsing the carbon price and pleading for stable, long-term policies to give clear signals to investors.
''There are lots of companies that are affected by the carbon price who, because of the political debate, are keeping a low profile. However, they are quietly getting on with the job because they accept the reality of climate change, and accept the inevitability of carbon pricing,'' said Nathan Fabian, chief executive of the Investors Group on Climate Change and spokesman for Businesses for a Clean Economy.
''Some of our members would prefer to see the carbon price start lower and some would prefer to see it start higher, but we all want stable investment signals and none of us want to see the carbon price repealed,'' Mr Fabian said.
Westpac's executive director for emissions and environment, Emma Herd, said her company had supported a carbon price for a decade, under two chief executives and three prime ministers. ''When we talk to clients now they just want certainty, they want to know the rules and they want to get on with the job.''
Many of the companies in the group stand to benefit from the clean energy investments likely to flow from carbon pricing. Among the organisations involved in the statement are the Clean Energy Council, the Climate Institute and the Sustainable Business Association.
While the BCA backs a carbon price in theory, it is opposed to the government's scheme. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says Australia should not price carbon before there is a clear and binding global emissions reduction agreement.
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