The Business Council is also a good starting point for companies wishing to become more involved with specific institutions and processes. It is crucial that companies and advocates that support these programs and institutions weigh in strongly and soon with key members of Congress, since many of their budgets are in jeopardy. Since Kyoto, the Business Council has arranged a series of seminars to help business leaders and policymakers think about such issues as the Clean Development Mechanism, joint implementation, and credits for early action. US CAN's members have launched a public education effort to mobilize a grassroots constituency for progressively stronger action by the administration and Congress. There are many ways to get involved in the policy process directly.
Diplomacy is important, however.
In the meantime, it is important to learn the procedures used by the funding agencies and, where appropriate, to develop project proposals in conjunction with government agencies wherever the opportunities lie. Support quantified limits on emissions trading to ensure adequate measures are taken to increase domestic renewables use. Support efforts to expand the domestic renewables market by pressing for full congressional funding of the administration's climate change initiative as well as the specific elements of its renewable energy budget. Work with state and federal policymakers to enact electricity restructuring legislation that includes strong support for renewables as well as energy source and emissions disclosure requirements. Encourage states that do not yet have net metering programs or Million Solar Roofs plans to get moving.