PHOENIX — ClimateVoice, a nonprofit led by former Google and Facebook sustainability lead Bill Weihl, launched an initiative Monday, asking sustainability experts to use their voices to push their companies to lead on climate policy and enable the fossil fuel transition global governments agreed to at COP28.
Weihl, founder and CEO of ClimateVoice, was diagnosed with ALS in 2023 and spoke to the audience at the GreenBiz24 sustainability conference — with more than 2,500 attendees and more watching online — using an app that cloned his speech patterns. The former green tech director unveiled the LEAD Statement with dozens of signatories, including Greenbiz Group Chair and co-founder Joel Makower.
“For years, I've used my voice from inside and outside to push companies to do more, but recently I discovered something. You never really understand the full power of your voice until you lose it,” Weihl said during his keynote Monday.
The statement implores other climate professionals to push their organizations to leave trade associations that are obstructing climate progress. It urges them to “elevate climate policy as a corporate priority;” advocate for effective, binding climate policy; and demonstrate “real commitment” to enabling a “just and equitable transition from fossil fuels.”
“As sustainability professionals dedicating our careers to combating climate change, we believe that all companies must leverage their power and influence to accelerate climate policy progress,” the statement said. “We believe that it is time for companies to back policy action at the speed and scale required to meet our global goals and avert the worst outcomes.”
Makower and any other sustainability experts who decide to sign on, make the pledge in their personal capacity. Other initial signatories included former Salesforce Global Sustainability Lead Patrick Flynn, now director of corporate climate action at Topo Finance; former Microsoft Vice President of Energy Brian Janous; and Green Electronics Council Director Kathrin Winkler, who also serves as chair of ClimateVoice’s advisory board.
While 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act included $369 billion in clean energy incentives — which Weihl called “transformative” both in its investments and the private capital it unlocked — he said the law was “the start, not the endpoint” and more public policy is needed to decarbonize the economy at scale.
Prior to the bill’s passage, ClimateVoice ran a yearlong campaign from fall 2021 to fall 2022, tracking 21 “pro-climate” corporations and keeping an eye on who spoke up to support the law.
“Companies won't make net-zero goals without public policy to speed the way and spread the progress. That's just plain math,” Weihl said. “In the end, it's all about speed and scale moving faster and at a far greater scale — not just to decarbonize company by company, but to do it across the entire economy.
