The key facts, figures, and policies behind the United States’ climate performance in 2009.
 | Animation: G8 Climate Scorecards 2009Click on the image to see the climate performance of the G8 countries (Animation: Allianz) |
Improvements since 1990
G8 Ranking: 7
-Past emission trend from 1990 to 2007: +16.8%
-Current (2007) distance to the Kyoto target: +23.8%-points
-Increase of the share of renewable energy sources: -0.2%-points
Current Status
G8 Ranking: 8
-Emissions per capita: 25 tons CO2
-Emissions per GDP: 567 tons CO2 /M$
-CO2 per kWh electricity: 625 grams CO2
-Emissions in transport per capita: 6.3 tons CO2
Policies for the future
G8 Ranking: 4
- Economic stimulus package includes support for renewables and energy efficient buildings
- Planned emission targets of 42 percent below 2005 levels in 2030 and 83 percent below 2005 levels in 2050 not enough to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius
- Planned national emissions trading program covering utilities, oil companies, and industry
- Planned smart grid and new transmission lines to carry electricity from renewables
- New fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks and target to reduce gasoline consumption by 20 percent between 2006 and 2011
 | United States' Emission TrendsClick on the image to see the United States' emission trends since 1990 (Graphic: WWF/Allianz) |
The United States has moved up from last place in the 2008 WWF/Allianz Climate Scorecards report, largely because of improvements in the category “policies for the future”. The new Obama Administration has presented ambitious plans for new climate change policies, including substantial support for energy efficiency and renewable energy.
However, the United States ranks last among the G8 in terms of its per capita emissions and other “current status” indicators. The share of renewables in the energy mix has actually decreased since 1990 and the country remains heavily reliant on coal and oil. Meanwhile, its emissions are projected to continue to increase. The United States has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol and will not meet Kyoto targets.
Many American states and regions have their own climate initiatives. For example, there is a mandatory cap-and-trade scheme currently operating in several states, there are energy efficiency goals or standards in at least 19 states, and minimum targets for renewable electricity— Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS)—in 28 states and the District of Columbia.
These were not rated in the WWF/Allianz study because of the focus on national policies. If included, they would not have changed the United States’ ranking compared to other G8 nations.
One of the challenges for the new administration will be to harmonize national and federal fuel standards and proposed emissions trading schemes and energy efficiency standards. Overall, there has been more action in the U.S. on climate change in the last four months than in the last three decades.
editor: James Tulloch
publishing date: July 1, 2009
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