United States Submits Fifth Climate Action Report to UN

On June 1, the U.S. Department of State released its fifth Climate Action Report , an update from the Bush administration’s 2006 submission to the United Nations. The report detailed U.S. actions to address climate change, describing specific measures, actions, policy initiatives, and “efforts to increase scientific understanding of climate change.” It projected a four percent increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2020. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are expected to increase by 1.5 percent and will still comprise four-fifths of total GHGs emitted by the United States. However, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), which are used as replacements for banned ozone-depleting chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) , are expected to grow to a third of all GHGs from the two percent they contribute today. According to the report, “A large portion of emissions growth is driven by HFCs, which are projected to more than double between 2005 and 2020, as they are more extensively used as a substitute for ozone-depleting substances.” The report emphasizes the progress being made at the local and state levels which are “implementing clean energy incentives and clean energy targets – from voluntary emission goals and green building standards to mandatory cap-and-trade laws.”

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