U.S. Climate Policy and Actions
Related Links
EPA
- Clean Energy Programs
- Climate Change and Waste Programs
- Climate Leaders
- High Global Warming Potential Gas Reduction Programs
- Integrated Environmental Strategies
- Methane Programs
- Transportation Voluntary Programs
- Voluntary Programs Database
White House Climate Change Policy
State Department
- Climate Change Fact Sheet
- Overview of U.S. Climate Policy
- Global Issues on Climate Change
- Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate
- Fourth U.S. Climate Change Report
The United States Federal government has established a comprehensive policy to address climate change. This policy has three basic objectives:
- Slowing the growth of emissions
- Strengthening science, technology and institutions
- Enhancing international cooperation
The Federal government is implementing this policy through voluntary and incentive-based programs and has established major government-wide programs to advance climate technologies and improve climate science. For more information on key elements of the policy, follow the links below:
National Goal to Reduce Emissions Intensity
In February 2002, the United States government announced a comprehensive strategy
to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of the American economy by 18 percent
over the 10-year period from 2002 to 2012. Greenhouse gas intensity measures
the ratio of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to economic output. Meeting this
commitment will prevent the release of more than 100 million metric tons of
carbon-equivalent emissions to the atmosphere (annually) by 2012 and more
than 500 million metric tons (cumulatively) between 2002 and 2012.
Current and Near-Term Greenhouse Gas
Reduction Initiatives
The Federal government administers a wide array of public-private partnerships
to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas intensity. These programs focus on energy efficiency,
renewable energy, methane and other non-carbon dioxide (non-CO2) gases, agricultural
practices and implementation of technologies to achieve greenhouse gas reductions.
EPA implements several voluntary programs that substantially contribute to
the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate Change Technology Program
New and refined technologies offer great promise to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions significantly. The Federal government established the multi-agency
Climate Change Technology Program (CCTP) in February of 2002 to accelerate
the development and deployment of key technologies.
Climate Change Science Program
In February of 2002, the United States government announced a climate change
research initiative to focus on key remaining gaps in climate change science.
To meet this goal, the Federal, multi-agency Climate Change Science Program
(CCSP) was established to investigate natural and human-induced changes in
the Earth's global environmental system; to monitor, understand and predict
global change; and to provide a sound scientific basis for national and international
decision-making. EPA’s primary role in CCSP is evaluating
the potential consequences of climate variability and the effects on air quality,
water quality, ecosystems and human health in the United States.
International Cooperation
The United States government is extensively engaged in international climate change activities
in areas such as science, mitigation and environmental monitoring.
EPA actively participates in multilateral and bilateral
activities by establishing partnerships and providing leadership and technical
expertise. Multilaterally, the United States is a strong supporter of activities
under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) . The U.S. government has created or worked to revitalize
a number of international climate initiatives. For example, the United States
has joined with Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea to accelerate
the development of clean, more efficient technologies under the Asia
Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate .