Oct 2, 2009
Nike Takes A Stand For The Environment - Quits Board of U.S. Chamber
Nike said it would resign from the board of the United
States Chamber of Commerce, becoming the latest company to break with the group
over climate policy. Nike said, however, that it would remain a member of the
chamber, unlike three large utilities — Pacific Gas and Electric, PNM Resources
and Exelon — which recently announced plans to pull out.
The chamber has been under fire for its outspoken resistance to potential carbon
regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency or from Congress.
Nike said in a statement, "We believe that on the issue of climate change the
chamber has not represented the diversity of perspective held by the board of
directors. Therefore, we have decided to resign our board of directors position.
We will continue our membership to advocate for climate change legislation
inside the committee structure and believe that we can better influence policy
by being part of the conversation. Moving forward we will continue to evaluate
our membership."
Thomas J. Donohue, the chamber’s chief executive, said in a statement this week
that the chamber “continues to support strong federal legislation and a binding
international agreement to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change."
Good for Nike! Shame on the double talking, equivocating U.S. Chamber of Commerce.