In July of 2007, ConocoPhillips became the only U.S. integrated energy company to call for a mandatory national framework to address greenhouse gas emissions. In a speech before the U.S. chamber of Commerce on energy policy, CEO and Chairman James Mulva said, "We can no longer ignore rising concern over the impact of fossil-fuel use. We must show leadership that inspires the rest of the world to join us. We need to reduce our carbon footprint by establishing a baseline – and a system of incentives and penalties to ensure that we meet this baseline." (Click here for the full text.)

Since 2004, ConocoPhillips has worked with the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) to help establish that baseline. The CDP is an independent not-for-profit organization which acts as an intermediary between shareholders and corporations on all climate change related issues, providing primary climate change data from the world’s largest corporations to the global market place.

Speaking at the launch of the CDP 2008 report in New York on September 22, 2008, Jim Mulva called for coordinated national policies to address climate change and energy security. Delivering the industry keynote at the CDP Global Forum, Mr. Mulva said, "The public is ready, and individual states are already taking action. In order to avoid conflicting state regulations, the new administration and congress must set aside partisan politics and get down to business."

Mr. Mulva went on to say that current U.S. climate policy poses a key uncertainty to business and that future policy should meet the long-term objectives established in Article 2 of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change that greenhouse gas concentrations be stabilized at a level that would prevent dangerous interference with the climate system and enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.

Turning to energy security, Mr. Mulva outlined a comprehensive approach incorporating energy supply diversity; greater energy efficiency; technological innovation; and sound environmental stewardship. "The world will clearly need more energy in the future, in all forms," he said. "U.S. energy policy should of course stimulate development of alternative and renewable sources. But it must recognize the essential role of oil and natural gas, and open new onshore and offshore areas to development." (Click here for the full text.)