Sitting here in Nebraska, the only state opposing the Keystone XL Pipeline, I was stunned to learn that TransCanada was cited by a UK non-profit for its commitment to climate action. It made the non-profit's "A" list, one of only three energy companies to do so.
More beneath the orange cloud of carbon emissions that win TransCanada an award.
CDP states on its "about us" page:
CDP works to transform the way the world does business to prevent dangerous climate change and protect our natural resources. We see a world where capital is efficiently allocated to create long-term prosperity rather than short-term gain at the expense of our environment.
Evidence and insight is vital to driving real change. We use the power of measurement and information disclosure to improve the management of environmental risk. By leveraging market forces including shareholders, customers and governments, CDP has incentivized thousands of companies and cities across the world’s largest economies to measure and disclose their environmental information. We put this information at the heart of business, investment and policy decision making.
We hold the largest collection globally of self reported climate change, water and forest-risk data. Through our global system companies, investors and cities are better able to mitigate risk, capitalize on opportunities and make investment decisions that drive action towards a more sustainable world.
So one would think here that CDP is interested in promoting corporations across the entire range of the world economy that are truly interested in climate change and how they work to mitigate it while not tanking the economy. It lists companies across the entire economy, from Wells Fargo to Coca Cola.
So how does TransCanada make the list? This page explains CDP's methodology in determining how well a company is committed to environmentally sustainable economic growth. (It is packed full of charts and graphs that statisticians, businessmen, and accountants love.)
This table lists the companies that made its "A list" this year, indicating those that are most committed to climate action.
TransCanada appears about halfway down this document, on page 11.
The company gets very high marks. This document (also full of tables and charts, and an explanation on the first pages) places TransCanada as only one of three oil and gas companies on CDP's "A list."
All I can say is "wow." The company trying to bring to market the dirtiest fuel available is cited for its commitment to environmental friendliness.
(For an over-abundance of fair, what CDP is rating is the corporation itself, not its products. In the financial sector for example, it would be hard for Wells Fargo to fail to be environmentally friendly, as loans and deposits really don't generate much in the way of carbon emissions.
Wanna protest? CDP's contact information (mail, E-mail, telephone for North America, South America, Europe, and its UK Headquarters can be found here)