Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction in the U.S.
Part I: Legislative Highlights
On February 16, 2005 – with Russia’s approval of the treaty – the Kyoto Protocol, an amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), became effective. Participating countries have agreed to reduce their collective GHG emissions by 5.2 % compared to 1990 during the period of 2008 to 2012. The U.S. Senate rejected Kyoto in 1997 on a vote of 95 to 0.
In October 2003, Senators Lieberman and McCain sponsored the Climate Stewardship Act. The U.S. Senate voted on the bill which failed by 43 to 55. In May 2005, both Senators reintroduced a modified version of the bill, the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act. It failed to pass by a vote of 38 to 60 on June 22, 2005. The bill would have required the covered sectors to cap their GHG emissions at 2000 levels from 2010 on and at 1990 levels from 2016 on.
The current federal approach to greenhouse gases is mainly focused on research and voluntary programs.
Of the more than 50 programs listed in the latest U.S. Climate Action Report (2002) under UNFCCC, only six can be classified as regulatory. None of these programs gives specific emission reduction targets.
Some state and local governments have started initiatives to address GHG emissions reductions. On June 26, 2003, Maine became the first state in the country to pass a law (the Act to Provide Leadership in Addressing the Threat of Climate Change), which establishes a statewide target for lowering
greenhouse gas emissions (reduction of GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2010 and to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020). Similar GHG emission reduction goals have been set by Governor Schwarzenegger of California on June 1, 2005 (reduction of GHG emissions to 2000 levels by 2010, to 1990 levels by 2020, and to 80% of 1990 levels by 2050). On September 27, 2005, Governor Easley of North Carolina signed a bill establishing the Legislative Commissionon Global Climate Change. The Commission will determine whether it is appropriate and desirable for the State to set a greenhouse gas emission reduction goal.
Despite the dearth of federal or state requirements, cutting back on GHG emissions can be attractive for companies in many aspects, including:
- Preparedness for coming GHG emission
regulations
- Financial rewards (possible reduction of
bottom line costs)
- Image enhancement (positive customer
feedback)
- Promotion of new technology development
In recent years, an increasing number of U.S.
companies have developed an interest in reducing
their energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Some companies have enlisted the assistance of programs like the Chicago Climate Exchange or Climate Leaders (EPA), whereas others have developed individual plans to tackle their GHG emissions. Companies voluntarily reducing CO2 and other greenhouse gases include prominent names like General Motors, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Amtrak, and Bank of America.
Interested in More Information?
http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/Resource
CenterPublicationsUSClimateActionReport.html (US Climate Action Report 2002)
http://www.ncseonline.org/NLE/CRSreports/05apr/RL31931.pdf
(Climate Change: Federal Laws and Policies Related to Greenhouse Gas Reductions)
http://www.pewclimate.org/docUploads/Kyoto%2DUSBusiness
%2Epdf (Implications for U.S. Companies of Kyoto’s Entry into Force without the United States)
http://unfccc.int/2860.php (UNFCCC Homepage)
This series will continue with the following articles: Calculation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs, and Greenhouse Gas Trading.
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