Oregon's largest tech firms join call for climate action

September 23, 2014

This week, the number of companies signing on to the Oregon Business Climate Declaration reached a whopping 200, including some of the state's largest and fastest-growing technology firms: Intel, Elemental Technologies, Symantec and eBay. The list of signers has more than doubled since the Declaration's launch in July, and continues to grow, as more businesses agree that tackling climate change is not only absolutely necessary for the health and safety of all our communities, but is also "one of the greatest economic opportunities of the 21st century."

These businesses support using energy more efficiently, investing in cleaner fuels, advancing renewable energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the state of Oregon.

Here's the full statement:

Oregon Technology Companies Commit their Support for State Climate Change Policy

Intel, Elemental Technologies, Symantec, and eBay are among the 200+ Oregon Companies Calling for Action on Climate

Today, Oregon’s technology companies joined the growing list of businesses that have signed onto the Oregon Business Climate Declaration, including Oregon’s largest private employer, Intel, and one of Oregon’s fastest growing companies, Elemental Technologies. The Oregon Business Climate Declaration highlights opportunities to spur local economic development and job creation while curbing carbon pollution.

Technology companies in Oregon are concerned about climate change because of the impact it could have on their future ability to conduct business in the state, including clean water availability, certainty around energy costs, and the ability to recruit and retain talent.

“Technology companies around the globe are competing for top talent, and right now Oregon has a distinct advantage with its strong focus on lifestyle and livability,” said Skip Newberry, President at Technology Association of Oregon. “Maintaining a healthy environment is key to our excellent quality of life which allows us to recruit and retain the very best talent.”

Over 200 companies from a diverse group of industries and companies around the state have signed the Oregon Business Climate Declaration. Together, they understand that it will take more than a public declaration to impact climate change policy in Oregon. Some companies plan on engaging actively in the policy discussions at the state level on climate change. Others are already taking action independently, including Elemental Technologies, headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

Along with signing the Oregon Business Climate Declaration, Elemental has decided to take another step of purchasing renewable power from Pacific Power for its three Portland locations.

“Elemental is a proud signer of the Oregon Business Climate Declaration,” said Sam Blackman, CEO and Co‐Founder. “Beyond our commitment to support climate change policy in Oregon, we believe it is critically important to walk the talk as well and take definitive steps to reduce our company’s carbon footprint.”

“At Symantec, we are convinced that a strong coalition of governments, businesses, and civil society organizations is required to effectively address climate challenges,” said Cecily Joseph, Vice President Corporate Responsibility .“We encourage others to sign the Oregon Business Climate Declaration, and show their support for developing innovative solutions that protect our planet while enabling continued economic growth.”

Technology company signatories include: eBay, Elemental Technologies, eRoi, FMYI, Inc, Intel, Symantec, Technology Association of Oregon and Vernier Software & Technology.

Businesses may sign on to the Oregon Business Climate Declaration at climatedeclaration.us/oregon. The Oregon Business Climate Declaration is a companion to the Climate Declaration launched in 2013 by Ceres, a nonprofit sustainability advocacy organization, and its business network, Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy (BICEP). The Climate Declaration has more than 1000 signatories nationwide. You can see the full list of national companies here and the Oregon companies here.

Author Bio

Carrie Hearne

former Oregon Business Partnerships Manager, Climate Solutions

Carrie Hearne served as Climate Solutions' Oregon Business Partnerships Manager. Carrie has lived in Portland for over a decade and originally hails from the mountains of West Virginia. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Earlham College in Indiana and sustainability certificates from the University of Oregon and Willamette University.

Carrie successfully created and ran the first sustainability program at The Standard, a financial services company headquartered in Portland, Oregon. This program attracted new customers, reduced operating expenses, increased employee engagement. She is a current member of the Climate Action Plan Steering Committee for the City of Portland and Multnomah County and has served on the board of directors for the Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI) since 2008. She is also on the advisory board for Women in Sustainability and the Environment (WISE). While at The Standard, Carrie was active on committees with the Oregon Business Association and the Portland Business Alliance, influencing public policy on matters relating to economic development, carbon reduction environmental sustainability and social equity. She has been a frequent guest speaker at regional business conferences such as Go Green Portland.

In her spare time, Carrie enjoys photography, cycling, baking and getting outdoors with her dog Timber.