The
GCC (1989-2002) engaged in a combination of
publicity and efforts to
lobby government in support of a certain viewpoint on the issues of
global warming and
environmental issues. For the most part they argued that there was no proof that human activity was a major cause of
global warming, that the
Kyoto accords were unfair to the
United States, and that any effort to reduce the production of greenhouse gases other than
responsible voluntary actions would be harmful to the economy of the
United States.
The Global Climate Coalition began life in 1989 operating out of the offices of the National Association of Manufacturers. Many large corporations such as Exxon, Ford, Shell Oil, and General Motors were members.
By 1997, many large corporations had begun to withdraw from the GCC. According to the article on the GCC at http://www.prwatch.org/improp/gcc.html , BP/Amoco withdrew from GCC after BP's chairman admitted that "the time to consider the policy dimensions of climate change is not when the link between greenhouse gases and climate change is conclusively proven, but when the possibility cannot be discounted and is taken seriously by the society of which we are part. We in BP have reached that point." Many other corporations described their reasons for withdrawing in less detail.
In March 2000 the GCC reorganized to accept only trade organizations as members. In early 2002 the organization closed down. According to a site posted by the GCC itself at http://www.globalclimate.org/, "The Global Climate Coalition has been deactivated. The industry voice on climate change has served its purpose by contributing to a new national approach to global warming."
Sources:
http://www.prwatch.org/improp/gcc.html
http://www.globalclimate.org/