As world leaders sit down in Paris to decide how to cut greenhouse gas emissions, 14 corporations with massive carbon footprints have officially joined the call to rein in these atmospheric contributors to global climate change.

The companies, which include oil producers Shell and BP and coal mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, issued a joint statement calling the UN Climate Change conference a "critical opportunity" to address the threats of climate change.

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"As businesses concerned about the well-being of our investors, our customers, our communities and our planet," the statement reads, "We are committed to working on our own and in partnership with governments to mobilize the technology, investment and innovation needed to transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy."

"These are companies with real skin in the game–either they're large emitters or their products are," said Bob Perciasepe, president of the Center for Climate & Energy Solutions, which organized the statement.

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Almost 200 countries are taking part in the Paris conference with the goal of having a global agreement by the end of this year on how to cut carbon emissions that lead directly to climate change.

Hewlett-Packard, Intel, and PG&E, also joined the call for action.

(Photo (top) John LeGear; (homepage) Scheherazade Al Arab, CC)