The power sector recognizes its front-line role in addressing climate change on a global basis. Through the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), AEP and seven of the world's largest electric utilities have endorsed a strategy that includes:

• National and international policies to support low- to no-carbon technologies;
• Investment in transmission and distribution;
• Realistic pricing of electricity;
• Policies that allow countries to continue using their indigenous resources, including fossil fuels, to ensure their energy security; and
• A long-term international framework for emissions reductions and promo-tion of low-carbon technologies and energy efficiency programs by all major economies.

Through our leadership in the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), AEP and 170 other multinational companies have helped to promote the development of worldwide, cost-effective cap-and-trade systems.

AEP agrees that the United States can and should lead the way toward a global climate change solution. However, the environment will not improve if developing economies do not take action alongside the developed economies. We will continue working through organizations such as the WBCSD, IETA, e8 and the Asia-Pacific Partnership to promote a global response that includes developing and sharing new technologies.

AEP supports "A Call for U.S. Leadership on Forests and Climate Protection," an international business initiative that recognizes the importance of protecting tropical forests. The initiative urges the United States to give priority in climate legislation and foreign policy to end tropical deforestation, because of the many benefits of forest conservation to climate protection, economic growth, international security, poverty alleviation and biodiversity protection.