In March 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors, a rule requiring the disclosure of climate-related risks by SEC registrants in their regular agency filings. By proposing the rule, …
These comments were submitted to the U.S. Commodities Futures Trading Commission on February 16, 2024.
This paper was submitted to the UNFCCC on February 16, 2024.
Referred to as the “GST COP” for marking the conclusion of the Paris Agreement’s first global stocktake (GST), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) resulted …
In this paper, we break down key lessons learned following the passage of the largest investment into the future of the U.S. clean energy economy—the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Those lessons are: Performance-based investing with long-term …
The latest report from the Alliance for a Sustainable Future – a joint effort of C2ES and The U.S. Conference of Mayors to help cities and businesses collaborate on sustainable development – focuses on the Inflation Reduction Act’s new opportunity …
The need to address climate change remains urgent. Over the past 15 months, the U.S. Congress has passed meaningful legislation that has the potential to dramatically reduce emissions, and—importantly—allow the United States to lead in accelerating the global transition toward …
This document constitutes the comments of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) on the Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0055.
April 11, 2022 Public Utility Commission of Texas via digital delivery Re: Docket/Control #52487 – APPLICATION OF ENTERGY TEXAS, INC. TO AMEND ITS CERTIFICATE OF CONVENEINCE AND NECESSITY TO CONSTRUCT ORANGE COUNTY ADVANCED POWER STATION Dear Commissioners, Thank you for …
These recommendations synthesize the TCFD’s 2021 guidance on disclosing climate-related opportunities for select industrial sectors; compares the most recent disclosure guidance to companies’ actual disclosure from 2021 CDP reports; and provides recommendations in alignment with, and in addition to, the …
This document constitutes the comments of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) on the Revised 2023 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
This document constitutes the comments of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) on the request for input to guide the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on climate-related financial disclosures.
This document constitutes the comments of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) on the request for information to help guide the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on “how to best use Department of Agriculture programs, funding and financing …
More than 190 nations meeting in Paris in December 2015 reached a landmark agreement to strengthen the global climate effort. The Paris Agreement commits countries to undertake “nationally determined contributions” and establishes mechanisms to hold them accountable and to strengthen …
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic fallout represent unprecedented challenges for the United States and the world. While our foremost priorities are stemming the immediate public health crisis and helping those suffering the direct economic consequences, governments must also begin …
Since the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) put forward a voluntary reporting framework in 2017, a growing number of companies have been working to improve and align public reporting on climate-related risks and opportunities with …
As part of the Alliance’s ongoing work plan to promote sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mayors across the country were asked about their city’s efforts in the areas of low-carbon transportation, energy efficiency in new and existing buildings, and …
Cities across the country are increasingly interested in partnerships to advance energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and low-carbon mobility. Collaborative partnerships between cities and utilities serve as opportunities to advance these goals and can lay the foundation for clean energy …
Negotiators went into record overtime to avoid a complete breakdown at the 25th annual U.N. Climate Change Conference in Madrid, but the deal they eked out evoked disappointment on multiple fronts. Governments failed again to adopt rules for international carbon …
This document constitutes the comments of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) on the request for information to help guide the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis to “investigate, study, make findings, and develop recommendations on policies, strategies, …
While market dynamics and current state and federal policies have led to recent growth in clean energy generation—such as the growth in renewable generation driven in part by state renewable electricity portfolio standards and federal tax incentives—projections for the power …
The climate is changing, and society is facing significant climate impacts including more frequent and severe weather, ocean warming and acidification, extended periods of drought, and extreme temperatures. The ability to prepare for, recover from, and adapt to these impacts …
The scientific evidence is unequivocal. The Earth is warming due to the dramatic increase of concentrations of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere caused by human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels. As more greenhouse gases are released into the …
This document constitutes the comments of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) on the request for input to help guide the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. C2ES is an independent, …
The scientific evidence is overwhelming: The climate is changing, and human activity is the primary factor in the acceleration of climate change over the past century. Regardless of how successful humans are at limiting the root causes of our warming …
Businesses are taking a leadership role in responding to climate change. Corporate leaders see with increasing clarity the risks and potential opportunities presented both by climate change itself and by measures and policies to address it. In response, businesses are …
A growing majority of Americans favor stronger government action to address climate change. Recent events demonstrate both the rising costs of climate change to U.S. communities and taxpayers and the economic benefits of a clean energy-transition. While the United States …
Never have the stakes been higher to advance the cause of carbon reduction and climate protection. For more than a decade, cities have promoted climate protection strategies at all levels of government, and businesses have made great strides in their …
In the most pivotal moment in international climate negotiations since the 2015 Paris summit, delegates to the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Katowice, Poland, produced a comprehensive …
The 2018 survey by the Alliance for a Sustainable Future—a joint effort of The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)—finds that mayors are a key force behind U.S. action to reduce greenhouse gas …
A new federal infrastructure package presents a critical opportunity to strengthen America’s infrastructure against the growing risks posed by extreme weather and other impacts of climate change. Enhancing the climate resilience of the nation’s infrastructure can substantially reduce future losses, …
In the most significant test of the Paris Agreement since the United States announced its intent to withdraw, the U.N. climate talks in Bonn, Germany, made progress on the Paris “rulebook” to be adopted next year, but renewed clashes over …
The summary case studies contained in this document are meant to illustrate how cities can partner to achieve their clean energy goals. Whether it is Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonazales’ Verde Fund, Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski’s Climate Positive …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
September 18, 2017
Tags ResilienceRenewablesTransportationBusinessCitiesClean Energy
Mayors across the country are taking action to address these real climate change threats by committing to reduce carbon emissions. A nationwide survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions as part of …
This policy brief outlines various options for containing costs under a cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Although cap and trade is generally considered a more cost-effective approach than traditional regulation, excessive allowance prices are a concern. High …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
June 23, 2017
Tags BusinessCitiesClean EnergyResilienceTransportationEnergy
In the debate over continued U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement on climate change, questions have arisen as to the agreement’s potential legal implications for U.S. policymaking. Attention has focused on two issues in particular: Whether a party legally has …
C2ES held a half-day Solutions Forum in March 2017 in Washington, D.C., focusing on the benefits of microgrids and examining what is standing in the way of accelerating their deployment. Two panels, comprising business and city leaders, shared their first-hand …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
January 26, 2017
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In October 2016, the U.S. government granted final approval of a $14.7 billion settlement against Volkswagen (VW) for equipping more than 500,000 of its diesel vehicles to cheat U.S. vehicle emissions tests in violation of the Clean Air Act. Volkswagen …
Despite looming uncertainties following the election of Donald Trump as the new U.S. president, governments meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, pushed forward with the freshly-minted Paris Agreement on climate change, setting 2018 as their deadline for completing the nuts-and-bolts decisions needed …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
November 9, 2016
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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
September 14, 2016
Under its final Clean Power Plan (CPP), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP) to encourage early action in meeting CPP objectives. The CEIP is a voluntary program for states to incentivize renewable and …
With climate action gaining momentum around the country, policymakers at the city, state, and federal level are all considering policy tools they can use to achieve their goals. Many market-based options exist that can deliver differing co-benefits. Discussions and collaboration …
Cities across the United States are using a range of policy options to achieve their climate mitigation goals. One example is Boulder, Colorado, which has a long history of taking climate action, and is using a market-based approach to both …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
April 22, 2016
Many state regulators are considering carbon trading as a compliance option with the Clean Power Plan. An important part of carbon trading is the secondary carbon market—the market among private sector buyers and sellers that arises to provide more efficient …
C2ES held a two-day Solutions Forum workshop in March 2016 in Anchorage, Alaska, focusing on opportunities for collaboration in building a climate-resilient Anchorage. About 50 business leaders, city, state, federal and tribal officials, nonprofit organizations, and other experts shared their …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
March 31, 2016
The city of Stamford, Connecticut, is a corporate hub with more than 125,000 residents, the third largest city in the state. As a coastal city, Stamford is vulnerable to threats of climate change, extreme weather, and natural disasters, making it …
Climate changes will impact the entire Anchorage community. Businesses of all sizes are an important part of the community, and will experience many different risks, such as disruptions to their supply chain, financial losses from extreme events, and threats to …
C2ES facilitated a second private Solutions Forum workshop around the Clean Power Plan in February 2016. More than 50 business leaders, state and city officials, other experts, and representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) participated. The discussion built …
The City of Phoenix has developed innovative partnerships with the private sector, investors, and the state across various projects to promote energy efficiency and increase the share of renewable energy. As these projects are expanded or emulated, they may help …
In August 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the Clean Power Plan for existing power plants. Under the rule, states can implement a mass-based or rate-based compliance plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector. States …
Energy efficiency programs are in wide use, whether administered by state governments, city governments, or utilities. Because energy efficiency is often a low-cost means for reducing power sector emissions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expects it will be broadly …
Carbon markets, like other commodities markets, require provisions to ensure that the market functions effectively and is not manipulated by some participants. Regulators conduct oversight to ensure that buyers can procure carbon credits when needed at a price that reflects …
Tracking Systems in the Clean Power Plan February 2016 Download the Fact Sheet (PDF) Tracking systems provide the foundation for a smoothly operating trading market. They are used by market participants to track the use, trading, banking, and retirement …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
January 28, 2016
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The Clean Power Plan gives states the option to comply via either a rate-based or a mass-based approach. Ten states currently operate mass-based greenhouse gas reduction programs, and many more participate in mass-based programs to reduce other pollutants (e.g., sulfur …
This document constitutes the comments of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) on the proposed Clean Energy Incentive Program proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). C2ES is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing practical …
Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reached a landmark agreement on December 12 in Paris, charting a fundamentally new course in the two-decade-old global climate effort.
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
December 12, 2015
In November 2015, C2ES facilitated a discussion with 25 business leaders, state and city officials, nonprofit organizations, and other experts on the Clean Power Plan’s (CPP) proposed Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP). The CEIP is a voluntary program to encourage …
The U.N. Climate Change Conference in Paris presents a critical opportunity for parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to strengthen the global response to climate change. In this brief, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions …
C2ES held a Solutions Forum workshop focusing on opportunities for collaboration on climate resilience in November 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. More than 40 business leaders, state and city officials, non-profit organizations, and other experts shared their experiences addressing climate change …
Detroit is projected to experience higher temperatures, more frequent and intense precipitation events, and fluctuating lake levels. These changes will pose various challenges to the city, threatening homes, infrastructure, and human health and safety. Various groups have taken steps to …
Today we are already experiencing the types of impacts, which are expected to become more intense and occur more frequently as a result of climate change. In the past two years, Maryland has experienced floods, excessive heat and drought leading …
This document constitutes the comments of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) on the proposed federal plan requirements for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electric utility generating units under the Clean Power Plan, proposed by the U.S. Environmental …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
October 14, 2015
C2ES held its first Solutions Forum workshop, focusing on market readiness under the Clean Power Plan, in September 2015. More than 40 business leaders, state and city officials, other experts, and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the …
Energy efficiency is expected to be a key compliance option for states under the Clean Power Plan because it can minimize cost impacts to consumers and utilities. For states using a rate-based emissions target, efficiency gains will need to be …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
September 22, 2015
Tags BusinessClean EnergyResilienceFinanceBusiness Practices
Based on analysis by some of the world’s leading energy institutes, China’s INDC represents a significant undertaking beyond business-as-usual and will help slow the rise in global greenhouse gas emissions. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), International Energy …
The EV Charging Financial Analysis Tool was developed for this project by C2ES and the Cadmus Group to evaluate the financial viability of EV charging infrastructure investments involving multiple private and public sector partners. It uses the discounted cash flow …
In a preview of a tough year ahead, governments meeting at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Lima, Peru, went 30 hours over deadline to hammer out a modest set of procedural steps, and made no real progress on the …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
November 28, 2014
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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
July 17, 2014
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One year after President Obama announced his Climate Action Plan, the administration has made marked progress in its initial implementation. The plan, announced June 25, 2013, outlines 75 goals in three areas: cutting carbon pollution in the United States, preparing …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
June 16, 2014
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On June 18, 2014, EPA proposed carbon dioxide emission standards for existing power plants, also known as the Clean Power Plan, implementing its authority under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. More information on the proposed rule can be …
On September 20, 2013, EPA proposed carbon dioxide emission standards for new power plants in implementing its authority under section of 111(b) of the Clean Air Act. More information on the proposed rule can be found here. On May 7, …
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) was the first mandatory cap-and-trade program in the United States to limit carbon dioxide (CO2) from the power sector. It consists of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
November 25, 2013
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Governments meeting at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Warsaw eked out a modest package of decisions that keep the international climate negotiations on track but underscore the formidable challenges facing parties as they work toward a new global …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
November 4, 2013
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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
October 8, 2013
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) oversees federal efforts to advance the deployment carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. In addition to working on the research and development of CCS component technologies, DOE has provided financial support to multiple commercial-scale …
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a final rule to limit greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants on August 3, 2015. The final “Carbon Pollution Standard for New Power Plants” replaces earlier proposals from September 2013 and March …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
July 16, 2013
Recent technological advances have unleashed a boom in U.S. natural gas production, with expanded supplies and substantially lower prices projected well into the future. Because combusting natural gas yields fewer greenhouse gas emissions than coal or petroleum, the expanded use …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
April 17, 2013
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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
March 4, 2013
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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
March 4, 2013
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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
March 4, 2013
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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
February 13, 2013
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The past year of extreme heat, drought, flooding and wildfire underscores the need for stronger measures to advance clean energy, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen America’s climate resilience. With the start of a new Congress and presidential term, strong and …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
February 12, 2013
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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
January 31, 2013
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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
January 17, 2013
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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) appropriated an unprecedented $90 billion to “lay the foundation for a clean energy economy of the future,” of which the U.S. Department of Energy received $35.2 billion. U.S. DOE’s appropriations have …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
December 21, 2012
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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
December 11, 2012
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In a package of decisions dubbed the Doha Climate Gateway, parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) brought to a close two long-standing negotiating tracks and advanced a new, unified track that aimed for a comprehensive legal …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
November 6, 2012
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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
November 6, 2012
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Hurricane Sandy is a stark reminder of the rising risks of climate change. A number of warming-related factors may well have intensified the storm’s impact. Higher ocean temperatures contributed to heavier rainfall. Higher sea levels produced stronger storm surges. New …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
September 20, 2012
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This document constitutes the comments of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) on the proposed standards of performance for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for new electric utility generating units (Proposal), proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) …
Summary The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) and the Great Plains Institute (GPI) conducted an analysis, with extensive input from the participants of National Enhanced Oil Recovery Initiative (NEORI), to inform NEORI’s recommendations for a federal production tax …
Creating a low-carbon future for the United States requires innovative clean energy technologies that are cost-effective compared to the fossil fuels the country has long relied on. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) was …
Executive Summary Americans purchased almost 18,000 plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) in 2011, a strong first year for these transformative vehicles. Recently, private industry and government have invested valuable resources in developing, promoting, and deploying PEVs. These vehicles offer an uncommon …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
March 1, 2012
Introduction The National Enhanced Oil Recovery Initiative (NEORI) recommends that Congress consider implementing a revenue-positive federal production tax credit to support deployment of commercial carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and pipeline projects. A new, more robust federal incentive is needed to …
Introduction Amidst economic uncertainty, fiscal crisis and political division over energy policy, carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) offers a safe and commercially proven method of domestic oil production that can help the United States simultaneously address three urgent national …
Agricultural industries and communities can benefit from selling CO2 to meet the growing demand for CO2 to boost domestic oil production. The agriculture sector can supply high purity, manmade CO2 to access domestic oil resources in existing oil fields. Agriculture industry opportunities for capturing CO2 to spur …
Where does the CO2 come from and where does it go? Today, most of the CO2 used in EOR operations is from natural underground ‘domes’ of CO2. With the natural supply of CO2 limited, man-made CO2 from the captured CO2 emissions of power plants and industrial facilities can be used to boost …
Does Increasing CO2-EOR Create Jobs? Yes. Workers will be needed across the full CO2-EOR value chain: from building and operating CO2 capture systems at power plants and other industrial facilities, to constructing new pipeline networks to transport CO2, to retrofitting and giving …
How does EOR reduce CO2 emissions? Using CO2 captured from power plants and industrial sources to enhance oil production has the potential to help the U.S. reduce its emissions by improving the CO2 intensity of the industrial and power generation sectors. Over the life of …
How does CO2-EOR work? CO2-EOR works most commonly by injecting CO2 into already developed oil fields where it mixes with and “releases” additional oil from the formation, thereby freeing it to move to production wells. CO2 is separated from the …
Short-lived climate pollutants such as soot, methane and hydroflurorocarbons (HFCs) account for 30 to 40 percent of global warming to date. Targeted efforts to reduce these emissions can slow the pace of global warming and moderate climate impacts already underway, …
There is a growing consensus that regardless of our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, significant climate change is unavoidable. Although climate mitigation remains critical, we must also be thinking about and planning for ways to limit the adverse impacts …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
January 24, 2012
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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
January 19, 2012
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Summary Australia’s Clean Energy Future plan is a comprehensive set of national policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and driving investments in clean energy. At its core is a carbon pricing mechanism starting in July 2012 and covering approximately …
In what could prove to be a key transitional moment, governments meeting at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, adopted a package of decisions initiating another phase of the Kyoto Protocol and simultaneously launching a new …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
November 30, 2011
This paper describes an illustrative framework for a federal clean energy standard (CES) for the electricity sector. A CES is a type of electricity portfolio standard. Electricity portfolio standards are flexible, market-based policies that typically set requirements for the percentage …
The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban is an opportunity to strengthen the international climate framework. The top priority should be implementing the Cancún Agreements with steps to: 1) improve the transparency of countries’ efforts, and 2) strengthen support …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
November 15, 2011
Executive Summary A transition from conventional fossil fueled electricity generation to clean energy offers several benefits—particularly the growth of new clean energy industries and associated jobs, diversification of energy supply, and reductions in the public health and environmental damages (especially …
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
November 9, 2011
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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
November 9, 2011
To enable a better understanding of the mitigation pledges offered under the Copenhagen Accord and the Cancún Agreements, this analysis converts the 2020 pledges of the major economies into four common metrics: percent change in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990; …
This brief discusses how investment in clean energy technologies will generate economic growth and create new jobs in the United States and around the globe. The United States stands to benefit from the expansion of global clean energy markets, but …
Much of the discussion of climate change focuses on slow changes in average temperatures and precipitation over time. But this focus masks the larger changes in weather variability and extreme weather events that will accompany modest changes in averages. Damages …
The United States and other developed countries provide assistance to developing countries to help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by protecting forests and deploying clean technologies, and to help them adapt to the impacts of climate change. In FY 2010, …
This document contains our responses to the questions posted by Sens. Bingaman and Murkowski in their recently released white paper on a clean energy standard (CES). Based on the instruction from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for submittals, …
On March 17, 2011, the Center prepared this document to inform EPA’s development of greenhouse gas standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants (Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0090). This document explores market-oriented approaches for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electricity generation under …
The Climate Change 101 series provides a reliable and understandable introduction to global climate change, giving policy makers the basic information they need as they face decisions about climate policy. The new 2011 edition incorporates the most recent information on …
A survey released by the government of Mexico and the Pew Center on Global Climate Change reveals COP16 attendees’ attitudes on key issues when it comes to climate change, including the biggest barriers to action, the most trusted and effective …
A central issue in negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is how best to provide for the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of parties’ mitigation actions and support. This brief describes and evaluates existing requirements …
The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancún is an opportunity for concrete progress in the international climate change effort. Key elements of success in Cancún include: 1) operational decisions improving the transparency of countries’ actions, and strengthening support for …
With climate finance needs in developing countries projected to grow significantly in coming decades, governments are considering steps under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to strengthen international climate finance. Key steps include: establishing a new multilateral climate …
One of the central issues in the international climate change negations is the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of countries’ actions. This brief examines reporting and review practices in other major multilateral regimes and, drawing on these examples, outlines the …
In June 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a comprehensive climate and energy bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454). The U.S. Senate has been considering a number of related proposals, ranging from “energy only” bills, …
In the design of clean energy and climate legislation, careful attention is required to make sure competitiveness impacts—both positive and negative—on U.S. manufacturing firms are fully considered. Much of the attention to date has focused on seeking ways to avoid …
Introduction In recent years, leading businesses have emerged as some of the strongest advocates for passage of national climate and energy legislation that mandates reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While many have cheered this business engagement, others have been …
The United States needs strong action now to reduce the risks of climate change, strengthen our energy independence, protect our national security, and create new jobs and economic opportunities. The Pew Center on Global Climate Change believes that the case …
On May 12, 2010, Senator Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Lieberman (I-CT) released their draft legislation, the American Power Act (APA). This bill contains a comprehensive, sector-based approach to enhancing energy security, spurring the development and deployment of clean energy technologies, …
Black Carbon (BC) has recently emerged as a major contributor to global climate change, possibly second only to CO2 as the main driver of change. BC particles strongly absorb sunlight and give soot its black color. BC is produced both …
Supreme Court Ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA: Recent activity at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate greenhouse gases began in earnest following the US Supreme Court ruling in Mass. v. EPA in 2007. This case found that carbon dioxide …
This brief compares key elements of two bills currently under consideration in Congress. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (CEJAP Act) on November 5, 2009. It provides a comprehensive, economy-wide …
On December 11, 2009, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal (CLEAR) Act (S..2877 of the 111th Congress). This bill would puts limits on carbon emissions. It auctions all of the allowances …
At the heart of any successful cap-and-trade program is a well-functioning market for the trading of emissions allowances. The sulfur dioxide allowance market created under 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments to control acid rain is an example of such a …
Economic models are an important tool for evaluating the potential impact of proposed legislation on our economy. This brief compares modeling analyses of the House-passed clean energy and climate bill (H.R. 2454) conducted by seven different groups including government agencies, …
Addressing the challenge of global climate change will require a significant reduction in annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States and throughout the world by 2050. This will necessitate a fundamental shift from an economy predominantly based on …
The European Union (EU) is the world’s third largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter after the United States and China, accounting for 13 percent of global emissions in 2005. Since 1990, EU emissions have declined about 10.7 percent as a result …
The Offset Quality Initiative (OQI) responds to the intensifying debate over international offsets by releasing a policy paper assessing offset quality in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). In the paper, titled “Assessing Offset Quality in the Clean Development Mechanism,” OQI …
The UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen presents a critical opportunity to strengthen the international response to global climate change. The aim in Copenhagen should be a comprehensive political agreement that puts countries on a clear path to concluding …
A new global climate agreement will be most effective if parties are confident that it enables them to assess how well others are fulfilling their obligations. This can be achieved through a rigorous system of measurement, reporting, and verification. Key …
The “comparability” of climate mitigation efforts undertaken by developed countries can be assessed in many different ways. Some relevant factors such as emissions, population, and GDP are readily quantified and compared; others, such as a country’s geography, economic structure, or …
Electricity generation accounts for more than one third of total U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Nuclear power is a virtually carbon-free source of reliable, baseload electricity which can play a very large role in decarbonizing the U.S. electric power sector. …
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act, sponsored by Representatives Waxman and Markey, on June 26, 2009. The ACES Act includes a market-based regulatory program—cap and trade—to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Specified …
Coal is an inexpensive and abundant domestic energy resource; the United States has larger coal reserves than any other country—likely enough to sustain current production levels for more than two centuries. Coal prices are generally less volatile than those of …
Energy-intensive industries may face certain competitiveness concerns resulting from a program to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Industries such as aluminum, cement, iron and steel, pulp, paper, and certain chemicals — as large energy users — all have high …
Since the Industrial Revolution, the acidity of the world’s oceans has increased significantly. This change is entirely the result of human activities. About one third of all the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by human activities has been absorbed by the …
Recently, respected voices in the U.S. national security community—general officers, CIA analysts, high-level Pentagon officials—have warned that global climate change threatens American security. The security implications of climate change can be parsed into three broad categories: The changing foreign policy landscape …
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act on June 26, 2009 by a vote of 219-212. The ACES Act includes a cap-and-trade program designed to limit emissions of greenhouse gases in the United …
Transportation is the second largest contributor to total U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and responsible for about one-third of U.S. carbon-dioxide emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels. There are a variety of policy strategies that can be used to …
Agriculture, likely one of America’s most vulnerable sectors to a changing climate, has much to gain from a comprehensive climate policy. Agriculture’s vulnerability to climate change was highlighted in a recent study by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (including …
On June 26, 2009, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES Act) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 219 to 212. The bill contains five distinct titles: I) clean energy, II) energy efficiency, …
Economic analysis by its nature is better suited to providing insights and not absolute predictions of the future and when these insights are confirmed by more than one analysis, the results are typically considered more credible. With this in mind, …
No bill is perfect. Certainly not one that contains a thousand pages and seeks to overhaul the way our nation uses energy. But many of the recent attacks on the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) proposed by Representatives …
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Fourth Assessment Report in 2007, summarizing the scientific community’s current understanding of the science of climate change. Since that time, a number of new scientific results have been published that expand …
This brief explains how and why renewable energy certificates (RECs) differ from greenhouse gas (GHG) emission offsets (offsets). While the Offset Quality Initiative (OQI) is a strong supporter of renewable energy and believes it has a critical role to play …
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) was established in Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is one of the three “flexibility mechanisms” established by the Kyoto Protocol in an attempt …
Recent discussions in the United States have raised questions about the performance of the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS). Some argue that this cap-and-trade system has not significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, has conferred windfall gains on firms receiving …
Cap and trade and a carbon tax are two distinct policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Each approach has its vocal supporters. Those in favor of cap and trade argue that it is the only approach that can …
This report presents a vision and a concrete roadmap for U.S.-China collaboration focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change. The report was produced in partnership between the Pew Center on Global Climate Change and …
On January 15, 2009, the US Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) issued the Blueprint for Legislative Action – a detailed framework for legislation to address climate change. The Blueprint represents two years of work by USCAP members building on our January …
In January 2007, we issued our Call for Action in which we joined together to call for “prompt enactment of national legislation in the United States to slow, stop and reverse the growth of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the …
This brief examines policy options for addressing competitiveness concerns arising from the establishment of a mandatory domestic program to limit greenhouse gas emissions. These concerns center on energy-intensive industries that compete globally and could face higher costs under a domestic …
This brief describes issues relevant to the timetable for reducing U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) under a cap-and-trade program. The first issue is whether reductions are sufficiently deep to have a meaningful effect on the global climate. Scientific evidence …
This brief presents the key issues and identifies options for the incorporation of greenhouse gas (GHG) offsets into emerging U.S. climate change policy. A GHG offset represents a reduction, avoidance, destruction, or sequestration of GHG emissions from a source not …
This brief describes issues involved in choosing the set of greenhouse gases (GHGs), emission sources, and sectors of the economy included in a cap-and-trade program. Trade-offs between three primary criteria determine whether a source should be included in a cap-and-trade …
This policy brief outlines various options for distributing greenhouse gas emission allowances under a cap-and-trade program. Allowances represent a significant source of value and can be used to compensate firms or individuals affected by climate change policy or to raise …
This brief outlines the motivation for and key features of a tax designed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The two most commonly discussed market-based instruments for reducing GHG emissions are a cap-andtrade system and a GHG (carbon) tax. …
This brief discusses public policy tools available to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector. Reducing GHG emissions from transportation, which comprise one third of total U.S. CO2 emissions, will need to be a key part of any …
Coal is a cheap and abundant resource, and carbon dioxide (CO2) from coal use is responsible for about 40 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil fuel use. The United States and China are by far the largest …
This brief presents public policy tools available to provide support for research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) of technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An emissions price induced by a cap-and-trade program can provide an incentive to “pull” new technology …
India is the world’s fourth largest economy and fifth largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter, accounting for about 5% of global emissions. India’s emissions increased 65% between 1990 and 2005 and are projected to grow another 70% by 2020. On a …
For the first time, both major party candidates for the presidency are deeply concerned about global climate change and publicly support a mandatory, economy-wide cap-and-trade system for reducing the U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to global climate change. …
This paper aims to provide policymakers with practical recommendations regarding the integration of greenhouse gas (GHG) offsets into emerging regulatory systems. Offsets have an important role to play in controlling the costs associated with regulating and reducing GHGs, and in …
In the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, developed countries commit generally to provide financial resources, including for the transfer of technology, needed by developing countries to fulfill their obligations under the Convention. In order to successfully support the adoption …
Models only provide a simplified view of our economy. In the case of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (S.2191), models can capture many of the key policy elements (e.g., the impacts of targets, timing, and offsets) but cannot incorporate all …
Since climate change first emerged as an international issue in the late 1980s, a recurring policy question has been whether to address it on a comprehensive or a sector-by-sector basis. In recent years, sectoral approaches have received renewed attention and …
China’s emissions are increasing rapidly with strong economic growth and rising energy demand. Emissions have grown by about 80% since 1990, driven heavily by increased consumption of electricity generated from coal. Much of China’s projected emissions growth will come from coal-fired …
Increasing certainty that humans are changing the earth’s climate through emissions of greenhouse gases is creating a new market for climate-friendly products and services. As states and nations begin to address climate change by regulating greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging …
This In-Brief describes how the built environment can make an important contribution to climate change mitigation while providing more livable spaces. It concludes that with current technologies and the expansion of a few key policies, significant reductions in greenhouse gases …
As of February 2006 161 countries had ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which entered into force on February 16, 2005 (United Nations 2006). The Protocol signifies broad international agreement that the developed nations should take the lead in reducing greenhouse …
California is currently considering legislation that would establish state-wide caps on greenhouse gas emissions. This paper is based on extensive research by the Pew Center and others on the use of market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It begins …
Over the past seven years, the Pew Center has published more than 60 reports on the science, economics, solutions, and policy options related to global climate change. Over that time, the scientific consensus on this issue has only strengthened, but …
This major report outlines options and recommendations for advancing the international climate change effort post-2012. The report is from the Climate Dialogue at Pocantico, a group of 25 senior policymakers and stakeholders from 15 countries convened by the Pew …
Addressing the challenge of global climate change will require a significant reduction in annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States and throughout the world by 2050. This will necessitate a fundamental shift from an economy predominantly based on …
The Pew Center on Global Climate Change and the National Commission on Energy Policy (NCEP) are pleased to present the proceedings of our March 2004 workshop, The 10-50 Solution: Technologies and Policies for a Low-Carbon Future. In order to tackle …
This recently updated publication provides an overview of climate-related efforts in the United States, including activity: In Congress, where in October 2003, the U.S. Senate for the first time voted on legislation that would cap U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions …
Technological innovation on a global scale will be needed to mitigate global climate change. To significantly reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs), three types of technological innovations are needed: (1) more efficient technologies that use …
The majority of U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—84 percent—are in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2), resulting almost entirely from the combustion of fossil fuels. As a result, energy policies that reduce fossil fuel use will reduce GHG emissions. Fossil …
U.S. transportation is responsible for more than a quarter of U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This In Brief describes the options for reducing this contribution to global climate change. There are three fundamental ways to curb these emissions. Improve vehicle …
Over the past several decades, the scientific community has arrived at a consensus that the earth’s climate is being changed by human influences, most importantly the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other “greenhouse gases” (GHGs) into the atmosphere. The …
A mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting and disclosure program is an essential first step in any effort to reduce U.S. GHG emissions. The program should be comprehensive, but should be implemented in phases to allow for the development of widely …
Introduction Human activities are increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations. Evidence is growing that higher global temperatures, higher sea levels, and increased climatic variability, including changes in precipitation patterns and magnitudes, will result. These changes will affect agriculture by making …
Introduction The United States is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs), accounting for roughly 25 percent of global emissions. No strategy to address global climate change can ultimately succeed without substantial and permanent reductions in U.S. emissions. Voluntary …
There is growing evidence that providing businesses and consumers with market-based mechanisms for addressing environmental problems can achieve equal or better compliance while reducing costs and spurring technological innovation. In the context of climate change, countries have agreed to use …