Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce About Us

Dear Greater Seattle Chamber Members:

Several members have recently asked about the Greater Seattle Chamber's relationship to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its position on climate change. These questions stem from national news over the past few months about the U.S. Chamber's stance on climate change and their efforts concerning legislation at the federal level.

As this issue remains of great interest and continues to receive media attention, I wanted to take the opportunity to explain the Greater Seattle Chamber's organizational structure and share our record on environmental issues, including climate change.

The Greater Seattle Chamber and the U.S. Chamber are separate and distinct organizations.
The Greater Seattle Chamber is an independent, membership-driven association solely governed by our local board of trustees. Under their direction, we focus on issues at the local, regional and state levels. The U.S. Chamber, under separate governance, works on federal affairs.

In short, we are the "captains of our own destiny" and our positions are not dictated by the U.S. Chamber on this or any other matter.

The Greater Seattle Chamber is one of the most environmentally-progressive business organizations on the West Coast.
We were the first business association in Washington state to seriously address climate change and we have been a leader in initiating and supporting environmentally and economically beneficial initiatives and helping to shape local legislation and policies.

For the past three years, the Chamber's policy priorities have specifically called out climate change and sustainability initiatives. In 2007, for instance, we committed to educating businesses about climate change challenges and opportunities through our Regional Leadership Conference and Business Sustainability Committee. Last year, we played an active role in crafting climate change and growth management legislation at the state level, with then-Chamber Chair Tayloe Washburn serving on both the statewide Climate Action Team and Growth Management Advisory Commission. For 2009-2010, our focus is on growing the region's clean energy sector, and last month we convened more than 250 regional leaders to strategize on how we can create jobs and improve our environment. The conference report details action items now underway and outlines concrete steps for the next 10-12 months.

The Greater Seattle Chamber is a long-standing proponent of sustainability.
It's important to note that our involvement goes back much farther than just the past few years and encompasses a broad range of efforts. Actions taken include playing lead roles in the establishment and expansion of a regional mass transit system, championing urban growth in cities, and educating businesses on ways to conserve and become more sustainable. I hope you will take a moment to look at our full scope of work in these and other areas.

Greater Seattle Chamber members have a critical role to play.
Sustainability and climate change touches every business and we must respond with both a diverse range of solutions and participants. I invite you to become involved by joining the Chamber's member-led Clean Energy Committee. The committee meets the second Wednesday of every month from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Chamber's offices. Simply contact Ann Reid, 206.389.7265 to be added to the committee list.

We are proud of our role and accomplishments, and we are looking forward. There are tremendous opportunities for our region--and the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce--to jumpstart a new economic engine, to create jobs and to ensure our high-quality of life for decades to come. There will continue to be much happening on the federal stage in the coming weeks and months. We will monitor these developments but concentrate on our local agenda to advance policies and efforts that support the environment and bring economic opportunities to the region. That course, as always, will be determined locally by leaders who know and care about our region's future. That's how it has been and how it will remain.