News Release
Tokyo, November 19, 2012—Ricoh Company, Ltd. (President & CEO: Shiro Kondo) has endorsed "The Carbon Price*1 Communique" joint declaration issued by the CEOs of global corporations to leaders of national governments.
*1) Carbon Price
Carbon price is the term for placing a price on carbon through either subsidies, a carbon tax, or an emissions trading system.
The joint declaration has been proposed by the Corporate Leaders' Group on Climate Change (hereafter, "CLG"), a group of companies that is proactively tackling climate change issues in the United Kingdom, and the Corporate Leaders Network for Climate Action (hereafter "CLN"), a cross-sector network between CLGs in each country that recognizes the importance of carbon pricing to preventing dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
The key statement of the declaration is as follows:
A clear, stable, ambitious and cost-effective policy framework is essential to underpin the investment needed to deliver substantial greenhouse gas emissions reductions by mid-century. As business leaders, we believe that the certainty created by this policy framework and the investment it will unlock offers the prospect of increased business success and job creation.
A price on carbon is vital to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. With the right approach, a carbon price will also help engage consumers and incentivize behavior change.
We therefore urge policy-makers to focus on introducing a clear carbon price framework in a stable and timely manner, namely:
Carbon pricing as an approach can deliver greater emissions reductions at lower cost than predicted which in turn offers the opportunity for greater ambition.
We call upon policymakers nationally, regionally and internationally to show leadership and deliver the change. We look forward to working with them in doing this.
*2)2°C goal
Goal under the agreement at the 16th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP16) held in Cancun, Mexico in 2010. Goal to limit rising temperatures that affect the global environment to 2 degrees.
Ricoh believes it must achieve a sustainable society where our environmental impact is limited to what the Earth can deal with, handing on our precious Earth to future generations. In order to do this, it is important that each country is proactive in implementing climate change initiatives.
We support the joint declaration because we believe that a declaration transmitted by the CEOs of global corporations to the leaders of national governments will be effective.
■Ricoh's previous key actions pertaining to climate change framework conventions
July 2001
Became a signatory to "e-emission 55" calling for the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol at the 7th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP7).
December 2008
Endorsed the CLG Poznan Communique calling for early establishment of post-Kyoto framework at the 14th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP14).
September 2009
Endorsed the CLG Copenhagen Communique calling for early establishment of post-Kyoto framework at the 15th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP15).
December 2010
Endorsed the CLG Cancun Communique calling for ambitious, robust and equitable global deal on climate change at the 16th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP16).
September 2011
Endorsed the 2°C Challenge Communique joint declaration on climate change.