Vision and Framework for Strategy and Planning
Published August 2005

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U.S. Leadership and Presidential Commitment

On June 11, 2001, the President launched the National Climate Change Technology Initiative.⁹ Backed by unprecedented levels of Federal investment in climate change-related R&D, the Presidential initiative signaled Federal leadership in climate change technology development. Through partnering with others, the initiative aims to stimulate American innovation, strengthen associated research and education, and position the United States as a world leader in pursuit of advanced technologies that could help meet this global challenge. The President said:

In January 2002, the President reorganized Federal oversight, management and administrative control of climate change-related activities.¹⁰   He established a Cabinet-level Committee on Climate Change Science and Technology Integration (CCCSTI), thereby directly engaging the heads of all relevant departments and agencies in guiding and directing these activities. The President directed that innovative approaches be developed in accord with a number of basic principles:  

1. be consistent with the long-term goal of stabilizing GHG concentrations in the atmosphere;
2. be measured, as more is learned from science, and build on it;
3. be flexible to adjust to new information and take advantage of new technology;
4. ensure continued economic growth and prosperity;
5. pursue market-based incentives and spur technological innovation; and
6. base efforts on global participation, including developing countries.

The CCCSTI makes recommendations to the President on matters concerning climate change science and technology plans, investments and progress.

Under the auspices of the CCCSTI, two multi-agency programs were established to coordinate and integrate Federal activities, review progress and make recommendations. These are known respectively as the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, led by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Climate Change Technology Program, led by the U.S. Department of Energy (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Cabinet-Level Committee on Climate Change Science and Technology Integration