The United States is the largest economy and the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, so the world can’t avoid the worst impacts of climate change without U.S. leadership. The Obama administration stepped up to this challenge bysetting a goalto reduce U.S. emissions by 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.

So is this target achievable?

Ournew studyfinds that it’s possible for the country to meet this target even without Congressional action, but only if it expands existing state and federal policies. In fact, the country could go even further than the 28 percent goal using existing federal laws and state action.

Click to enlarge.
Click to enlarge.

A 10-Point Plan to Get from Here to There

U.S. emissions are projected to rise 8 percent above 2012 levels by 2025, so meeting the 2025 target will require serious effort. Some of this work isalready underway- 联邦机构正在针对电器，汽车和重型卡车实施效率标准，并提出了通过The现有发电厂的排放标准Clean Power Plan.

Our10-point plan概述了联邦机构和州可以采取的特定步骤，甚至超过2025年的目标：

1) Strengthen the Clean Power Plan.

The power sector is responsible for one-third of U.S. emissions and represents the largest source of potential reductions in the near term. While EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan is critical to achieving the 2025 goal, going beyond the proposal would make it easier for the country to achieve or surpass its climate targets. EPA, which will finalize the plan this summer, could set tighter emissions standards for state’s power sectors that take into account the full range of cost-effective renewable energy and efficiency resources available. Statescould complyby expanding their renewable energy standards and energy efficiency savings targets. These policies are already saving consumers money on energy bills and creating new jobs.

2) Scale up residential and commercial energy efficiency.

Energy efficiencyis often a cost-effective option for cutting electricity use and shaving down emissions. The Department of Energy (DOE) should expand its appliance efficiency standards, and states can strengthen their efficiency-savings targets and building codes. State programs that improve the efficiency of homes and businessesregularly saveconsumers $2 for every dollar invested—sometimes as much as $5.

3) Expand programs to reduce hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

ManyHFCs, commonly used as refrigerants, are potent greenhouse gases. Manufacturers are already developing cost-effective HFC alternatives, and EPAhas started讲话这些排放量，但需要其他政策来增加采用。EPA可以建立在其上Significant New Alternatives Policyto ban potent HFCs for certain applications and approve climate-friendly alternatives as soon as they’re available. Because a large amount of HFC emissions occur due to system leaks and service practices, EPA should also encourage industries to reclaim and recycle their HFCs by setting requirements or creating other incentives.

4) Encourage industrial energy efficiency.

As the country continues to recover from the recession, industrial activity—including manufacturing, construction and more—is projected to rise by one-third from 2015-2030. EPA can mitigate the resulting rising emissions by setting ambitious performance standards for industrial equipment and promoting voluntary programs likeEnergyStar certificationsfor industrial plants.

5) Reduce methane emissions from natural gas.

Natural gas systemsregularly leak methane，使行业赚钱并加油。EPA应创建标准，需要新的和现有的天然气生产商使用甲烷捕获技术，其中大多数在三年或更少的时间内为自己支付。

6) Strengthen GHG and fuel-economy standards for passenger cars; reduce travel demand.

Fuel-economy standards finalized in 2012 will reduce emissions and save the average consumer $3,400 to $5,000 over the life of their 2025-model car. EPA and Department of Transportation (DOT) should extend and strengthen these standards when they end in 2025. It’s also important for states and federal agencies to reinforce recent trends in travel demand, such as by investing in public transportation and developing walkable, bikeable communities.

7) Strengthen fuel-efficiency standards for large vehicles.

Current fuel standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks are already reducing pollution and are expected to save drivers a total of$49 billionover the lifetime of model year 2014–2018 vehicles. The administration should extend and strengthen these standards when they end in 2018.Many technologiesthat can help vehicle manufacturers meet stronger fuel-efficiency standards are already available and cost-effective.

8) Improve air travel management and establish GHG standards for new aircraft.

联邦航空管理局（FAA）和EPA都在减少飞机排放量中起着作用。FAA应根据其下一代航空运输系统计划扩大计划，以使航空旅行更加省油，例如reducing delays and establishing more precise routes. EPA should continue working towards setting emissions standards for new aircraft that take advantage of technologies to improve engine efficiency, lower weight and reduce drag, especially since aninternational CO2 emission standardfor aircraft is expected to be adopted in 2016.

9) Reduce methane emissions from landfills and coal mines.

Methane from landfills and coal mines isn’t directly regulated, yet these sources are responsible for 27 percent of U.S. methane emissions. EPA should use the Clean Air Act to set emissions standards for both new and existing landfills and coal mines.

10) Reduce emissions from other sources and increase carbon sinks.

Federal agencies should establish or expand programs to address the small-but-significant remaining U.S. emission sources, such as off-highway vehicles and manmade industrial gases. At the same time, states and federal agencies can protect and expand natural landscapes that store carbon, like forests and grasslands.

Looking Beyond 2025

The 2025 climate goal is important for shifting the U.S. emissions trajectory in the right direction, but we can’t stop there. We’ll need even deeper reductions domestically and globally in the longer term to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Congress will eventually need to pass new legislation, and it should include putting a price on carbon. We found that the country can reduce emissions 40–42 percent below 2005 levels in 2030 and 50–53 percent in 2040 with a price on carbon while still growing the economy. If coupled with strong energy efficiency policies, like those outlined in our 10-point plan, a carbon price may not lead to higher electricity bills. In fact, we found that monthly household electricity bills could decrease by 8-10 percent below projected levels in 2030 and 11 percent in 2040.

The exact pathway to a low-carbon future may still be uncertain, but it’s clear that the United Stateshas many cost-effective toolsat its disposal. The question now is: Will the country harness these opportunities?