Vision and Framework for Strategy and Planning
Published August 2005

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Administration Actions to Advance Technologies for Addressing Global Climate Change

As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),¹ the United States shares with many other countries the UNFCCC’s ultimate objective, that is, the stabilization of greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations² in Earth’s atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. The United States recognizes that meeting this challenge will require a long-term commitment and international cooperation.

Under the leadership of President Bush, the United States has formulated and is now implementing a comprehensive strategy to address this challenge.

It is science- and market-based; and encourages innovation, scientific and technology breakthroughs, and global participation. It focuses on reducing emissions, while sustaining economic growth. Growth and the capital it will create are needed to finance investment in cleaner, more efficient technologies.

The longer-term elements of this strategy build on America’s strengths in innovation and technology development. They are augmented by near-term policy measures, financial incentives, voluntary and other Federal programs aimed at slowing the growth of U.S. GHG emissions and reducing GHG intensity.³   Federal programs include the Climate VISION,⁴ Climate Leaders,⁵ Energy STAR,⁶ and SmartWay Transport Partnership ⁷ programs, which work with industry to voluntarily reduce emissions. The Department of Agriculture has conservation programs, which provide incentives for actions that increase carbon sequestration⁸ in trees and soils. Energy efficiency, alternative fuel, renewable and nuclear energy, methane capture, and other GHG reduction programs and financial incentives are also underway.

Over the longer term, significant progress would likely require fundamental changes in the way the world produces and uses energy, as well as changes in other processes and infrastructure used in industry, agriculture, forestry, and other human activities that result in GHG emissions. Science should be the guide for how best to address these challenges. Advanced technologies – including those that increase energy efficiency in end-uses; advanced and novel energy supply technologies; CO₂ capture and storage, and carbon sequestration; and technologies to reduce emissions of non-CO₂ GHGs – if successful, could eventually facilitate accelerated progress toward addressing the long-term challenge of climate change, while also continuing the energy-related and other services needed to sustain economic growth.

The United States is committed to leading the development of these new technologies. A detailed strategic plan is currently under development and will be organized around six complementary strategic goals reflecting these opportunities. The first five are focused on developing technologies to: (i) reduce emissions from energy end-use and infrastructure; (ii) reduce emissions from energy supply, particularly by development and commercialization of no- or low-emission technologies; (iii) capture, store and sequester CO₂; (iv) reduce emissions of non-CO₂ GHGs; and (v) enhance the measurement and monitoring of GHG emissions. Supporting all of the above is the sixth goal to (vi) strengthen the contributions of basic science to climate change technology development.

This Vision and Framework provides overall planning guidance and strategic direction, with goals, for Federal agencies contributing to climate change-related technology research and development. It establishes a framework of principles and approaches to be employed toward goal attainment. It defines criteria for inclusion of applicable research, development, demonstration and deployment (collectively referred to here as R&D) of GHG-related activities, identifies the current R&D portfolio of such activities, and establishes criteria for future portfolio planning and investment prioritization. Finally, it outlines a series of “next steps” that will guide future Federal activities in this area over the coming years.