Fact Sheet
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
Washington, DC
May 1, 2007
Next Steps: Replicating and Scaling Up Solutions That WorkA Sampling of Initiatives, Actions, and Projects Launched or Highlighted During the 2005-2007 Cycle of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development
National-Level Actions
| Public Sector Energy Efficiency Improvements |
Executive Order 13423, signed January 24, 2007 by President Bush, requires U.S. Government agencies to reduce their energy intensity 30% by 2015 and requires 95% of government-purchased computers to be “EPEAT-registered” for environmental and energy attributes. |
| Reducing Gasoline Consumption |
“20 in 10”: In the 2007 State of the Union Address, President Bush set a goal of reducing U.S. gasoline consumption by 20 percent in the next 10 years. Executive Order 13423 requires this reduction from federal vehicles and calls for increased use of hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles. |
| Increasing the Use of Renewable and Alternative Fuels |
On April 10, 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued the United States’ first Renewable Fuel Standard, requiring that 7.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel be blended into motor vehicle fuel sold in the U.S. by 2012. President Bush has proposed increasing that standard to 35 billion gallons of renewable and other alternative fuels in 2017. |
| Lowering the Cost of Renewable Energy |
The U.S. Department of Energy continues to pursue the following cost targets announced during the Bonn Renewables Conference in 2004:
• Geothermal: $0.03 to $0.05/kWh by 2010
• Grid-connected solar PV: $0.06/kWh by 2020
• Onshore utility-scale wind: $0.03/kWh by 2012
• Offshore uility-scale wind: $0.05/kWh by 2012
In addition, the Solar America Initiative, part of the Advanced Energy Initiative, seeks to make solar energy technologies cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity by 2015. |
| Boosting Private Sector Green Power |
Purchasing In December 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership launched the Fortune 500 Green Power Challenge, a 13-month effort to double the collective voluntary green power purchases of participating Fortune 500 companies to more than 5 billion kWh annually. |
| Strengthening Energy Efficiency Efforts |
The ENERGY STAR program will continue to deliver significant energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions. New ENERGY STAR specifications for computers will be effective in July 2007, potentially saving U.S. homes and businesses $1.2 billion in energy costs over the next five years.
In 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy will conduct 250 Energy Savings Assessments at industrial facilities across the country through their “Save Energy Now” program. These assessments typically identify opportunities to save 5-15% of a plant’s total energy use. |
| Promoting International Dialogue and Action on Renewable Energy |
The U.S. Government will host the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference in March 2008, building on the 2004 Bonn Renewables Conference and the 2005 Beijing International Renewable Energy Conference. |
Multilateral Partnerships: New and/or Strengthened Initiatives
| Phasing out Leaded Gasoline |
The Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles aims for global elimination of lead from gasoline by the end of 2008. |
| Supporting Clean Energy Small and Medium Enterprises |
The Global Village Energy Partnership has announced the following objectives for assistance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs):
• By 2010: assist 2,000 SMEs, benefiting 1 million people
• By 2012: assist 7,000 SMEs, benefiting 4.5 million people |
| Promoting Biofuels |
In March 2007, United States joined Brazil, China, India, South Africa, and the European Commission in launching the International Biofuels Forum, initially established for one year to meet regularly to expand the biofuels marketplace through cooperation on the establishment of uniform standards and codes. In May 2006, the United States joined the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) and is working with partners to plan future GBEP activities. |
| Improving Health by Reducing Indoor Air Pollution from Cooking and Heating |
The Partnership for Clean Indoor Air will work in 67 countries to pursue these goals:
• By April 2008: 1.4 million additional households using clean and efficient cooking and heating practices.
• By April 2010: 6.6 million additional households using clean and efficient cooking and heating practices. |
| Increasing Methane Capture and Use |
With financial and technical assistance provided through the Methane to Markets Partnership (M2M) and other partners, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the world’s largest coal-mine methane project – a 120 MW combined heat and power plant – is being built in Shanxi Province, China. |
| Expanding the Use of Nuclear Energy |
Through the Generation IV International Forum (GIF), project work will be expanded on the 6 most promising GEN-IV nuclear power systems.
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| Reducing Mercury Emissions from Coal-Fired Utilities |
Following the February 2005 decision of the UNEP Governing Council, the United States joined Canada, Japan and others to launch projects under the UNEP Global Partnership for Reduction of Mercury Emissions from Coal-Fired Utilities, aimed at improving the understanding of mercury as a pollutant of concern from the coal-fired power sector and providing information on control strategies and options. Activities are underway with stakeholders in China, India, the Russian Federation, South Africa, and the Ukraine. |
Bilateral Cooperation
| Scaling Up and Replicating Slum Electrification Programs |
Pilots launched with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development in Sao Paolo Brazil in September 2006 and Mumbai, India in April 2007 will provide legal and regular electricity service to over 50,000 slum households. These programs will be replicated across Brazil and India. |
| Solar and Wind Resource Mapping |
In June 2007, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), working with the U.S. National Renewable Energy Lab and the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan, will complete maps of solar and wind energy resources in those two countries. |
| Collaboration on Energy Efficiency Labels |
The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the China Standard Certification Center (CSC) have agreed to work in 2007-2008 toward harmonizing information on their respective energy-efficiency labels for consumer electronics and office equipment. |
| Increasing Rural Electrification through On- and Off-Grid Approaches |
Through a Millennium Challenge Compact signed in November 2006 by the United States and El Salvador, electricity coverage in the Northern Zone will increase from 70 percent to no less than 97 percent, benefiting 235,000 individuals. Service will be provided through extension of distribution networks as well as off-grid solar photovoltaic systems. Program implementation is scheduled to begin in October 2007. |
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