GHG_FinalSummary.indd

The World Resources Institute analysis finds that while existing federal and state tools can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, even the most ambitious 'Go-Getter' scenario falls short of the U.S. Copenhagen pledge to reduce emissions 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. The report models three levels of regulatory ambition—Lackluster, Middle-of-the-Road, and Go-Getter—across key sectors including power plants, transportation, and industry. It concludes that additional legislative action is necessary to meet international climate targets and the long-term goal of 80 to 95 percent reductions by 2050.

• If federal agencies and states adopt the highest level of regulatory ambition (the 'Go-Getter' scenario), the U.S. could achieve significant emissions reductions, though these would still not meet the Copenhagen pledge of a 17 percent reduction below 2005 levels by 2020.
• Current federal and state actions are insufficient to align the U.S. with the IPCC's recommended pace of reductions needed to limit global temperature increases to 2 degrees Celsius by mid-century.
• A significant portion of potential reductions can be achieved through non-energy emissions sources, which can be reduced without increasing energy prices.
• The most effective existing federal regulatory tools for emissions reductions include the Clean Air Act's New Source Performance Standards, mobile source provisions, and authority to reduce hydrofluorocarbons, alongside Department of Transportation fuel efficiency authority.
• Projections for reductions after 2020 are highly uncertain due to unknowns regarding the speed of transportation sector transformation and the replacement of aging power plants.

APA

World Resources Institute (2010). GHG_FinalSummary.indd. http://pdf.wri.org/reducing_ghgs_using_existing_federal_authorities_and_state_action_summary.pdf

Chicago

World Resources Institute. GHG_FinalSummary.indd. 2010. http://pdf.wri.org/reducing_ghgs_using_existing_federal_authorities_and_state_action_summary.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=GHG_FinalSummary.indd |date=2010 |url=http://pdf.wri.org/reducing_ghgs_using_existing_federal_authorities_and_state_action_summary.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2010ghgfinalsummaryindd, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{GHG\_FinalSummary.indd}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2010}, url = {http://pdf.wri.org/reducing_ghgs_using_existing_federal_authorities_and_state_action_summary.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }