U.S. Global Climate Change Policy

There is an updated version of this fact sheet dated November 26, 2007 located at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2007/nov/95662.htm.

On May 31^st, President Bush announced a new initiative to develop and contribute to a post-Kyoto framework on energy security and climate change by the end of 2008. This effort contributes to existing national, bilateral, regional and international programs to address the long-term challenge of global climate change and reinforces President Bush’s firm commitment to taking action on climate change at home and abroad. The United States is implementing a comprehensive policy that employs ambitious near term domestic measures to address climate change. These measures are reinforced by our unparalleled investments in climate change science and clean energy technology in the United States and around the world.

The most effective way to address climate change is through a broader development agenda that fosters energy security and economic growth and encourages global collaboration to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improve energy security, and cut air pollution. The United States also leads a wide array of action-orientated partnerships relying on voluntary and practical measures to reduce GHGs, encourage private sector participation and introduce cleaner technologies.

Post-Kyoto framework on energy security and climate change: The President’s plan recognizes that a new climate change framework must be developed in a way that enhances energy security and promotes economic growth and includes both major developed and major developing economies. This fall, the United States will convene the first of a series of meetings for the world’s largest economies and energy consumers to advance and contribute to a new global agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The participants in the framework will work together to develop a global emissions reduction goal, underpinned by national strategies and sectoral approaches that will set a practical, but flexible, path forward. This effort will build on the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate and other partnerships to develop and implement clean energy technologies. In addition, the initiative will enhance and reinforce the ongoing work of the UNFCCC, including work on adaptation, avoided deforestation, and technology transfer.

Ambitious near term domestic measures: In 2002, the President set a goal to reduce the GHG intensity of the U.S. economy by 18% by 2012. The Administration estimates this will reduce cumulative emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent by more than 1,833 million metric tons (MMTCO₂E) by 2012; recent projections show we will likely exceed this goal. We have a diverse portfolio of policy measures including dozens of mandatory, incentive-based, and voluntary programs to meet our goal:

• The ENERGY STAR program reduced emissions by 125 MMTCO₂E in 2005;

• Domestic Methane Programs reduced 2005 methane emissions to 11% below 1990 levels;

• Fuel Economy Increase from Light Trucks will save 73 MMTCO₂E over life of vehicles subjected to new rules; and
• The Proposed "20 in 10 Plan" will slow and potentially stop the growth of CO₂ emissions from cars, light trucks, and SUVS by using alternative and renewable fuels.

Our policies are working: From 2000-2005, our GHG emissions increased by less than 1.6% and estimates show for 2006 that our economy grew 2.9%, but CO₂ emissions decreased 1.3%.

Unequaled investments in science and technology: The United States is leading the development of advanced technology options that have the potential to reduce, avoid, or sequester GHG emissions. The President has requested and Congress has provided substantial funding for climate-related science, technology, observations, international assistance and incentive programs – on the order of $37 billion since 2001. The majority of these funds have been directed through the:

• The Climate Change Science Program (CCSP): CCSP, established in 2002 to oversee public investments in climate change science, coordinates and integrates scientific research on climate change sponsored by 13 participating departments and agencies; and

• The Climate Change Technology Program (CCTP): CCTP was created to accelerate breakthroughs in transformational technologies, such as solar energy, biofuels, hydrogen, advanced batteries, near-zero-emissions coal, nuclear power, and carbon sequestration that will allow us to power a cleaner future. Between 2003 and 2006, we have invested nearly $3 billion annually in climate change technology programs.

Our climate policies are part of a broader sustainable development agenda: Countries in the developing world are justifiably focused on economic growth and providing for the health, education and other needs of their citizens. The United States believes that climate policies should recognize and complement these priorities, and has launched or is involved in dozens of partnerships designed to alleviate poverty and spur economic growth in the developing world by modernizing energy services.

Innovative international approaches for clean technologies: The United States is actively pursuing a range of solutions to reduce GHG emissions, improve energy security and cut harmful air pollution through collaborative public-private partnerships with practical, targeted results. In addition to our 15 bilateral and regional climate change partnerships launched since 2002, the United States has initiated partnerships to promote the development and deployment of key climate change related energy technologies, including:

The Methane to Markets Partnership (M2M):With 20 partners and an extensive project network, M2M could recover 50 million metric tons of carbon equivalent annually by 2015.

The Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF): CSLF has 22 partners that have approved 17 carbon capture and storage projects as well as a technology roadmap to provide direction for international cooperation on carbon sequestration.

The International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE): Members are working to advance research, development, and deployment of hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies, while also developing common codes for hydrogen use. 

The Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP): This Presidential initiative engages the governments and private sectors of the six partner nations to enhance deployment of clean energy technologies and address their energy, clean development, and climate goals.  Examples of APP successes include: 

• Leveraging a $500,000 U.S. Government grant into $120 million of investment to build the largest coal mine methane powered facility in the world; which, when completed, will avoid the annual equivalent emissions of one million cars.
• A U.S. company providing 40 MW of clean energy in Shanxi province, the heart of China’s expanding coal industry

Looking Ahead: The United States is committed to working at home and abroad to develop concrete solutions to the long-term challenge of global climate change, including a new post-2012 framework.  The programs mentioned above are just some examples of our comprehensive and collaborative approach. More information about the U.S. approach to climate change, as well as information on these and many other programs, can be found at: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/climate.