Climate 2030

The report argues that the United States can technologically and economically achieve deep emission cuts through a multi-pronged strategy. Central to this is a cap-and-trade system with auctioned allowances, which would fund clean energy investments and international forest preservation. The strategy includes implementing energy efficiency resource standards, a national renewable electricity standard of 25% by 2025, and tougher vehicle emission caps. Internationally, it emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) in tropical nations. The author asserts that the nation can reduce emissions by at least 35% below 2005 levels by 2020 through domestic action and international funding.

• The United States can achieve a carbon emissions reduction of 30% below 2005 levels by 2020 through domestic action, and a further 10% reduction if it funds the reduction of deforestation and forest degradation in tropical nations.
• A recommended target for the U.S. is to reduce emissions by at least 35% below 2005 levels (or 25% below 1990 levels) by 2020, primarily through domestic efforts.
• The report proposes a cap-and-trade system with auctioned allowances to drive private investment in clean energy and fund adaptation and transition assistance. It suggests a cap of 26% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 56% below 2005 levels by 2030 to reach an overall goal of at least 80% reduction by 2050.
• To decarbonize the electricity sector, the document advocates for a national renewable electricity standard requiring utilities to obtain at least 25% of their power from clean renewable sources by 2025.
• Transportation emissions should be reduced by capping vehicle emissions at 200 grams per mile of CO2 equivalent by 2020 and 140 grams per mile by 2030 for cars and light trucks.
• A low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is proposed to reduce life-cycle carbon emissions from transportation fuels by 3.5% by 2020 and 10% by 2030.
• Reducing tropical deforestation is identified as a highly cost-effective global strategy, as it accounts for approximately 20% of worldwide global warming emissions. Cutting tropical deforestation in half by 2020 is estimated to cost about $20 billion per year.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (n.d.). Climate 2030. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/climate-2030-roadmap-chapter-8.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Climate 2030. n.d. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/climate-2030-roadmap-chapter-8.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Climate 2030 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/climate-2030-roadmap-chapter-8.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientistsndclimate, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Climate 2030}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/climate-2030-roadmap-chapter-8.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }