By the Numbers: The Economic Benefits of a National Climate Action Plan

The document asserts that the United States can save billions of dollars annually by implementing the National Climate Action Plan, noting that the costs of climate inaction—such as extreme weather damages—are already significant. It highlights four key areas for emissions reductions: power plants, energy efficiency, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and methane, arguing that the resulting public health and economic gains exceed regulatory costs. The text further claims that EPA regulations often cost less than projected and can stimulate industry investment by providing a clear regulatory framework.

• The United States faces substantial costs from climate inaction, with federal spending on extreme weather events exceeding $1,100 per taxpayer in a single year. Between 2011 and 2012, the U.S. experienced 25 extreme weather events that each caused at least $1 billion in damages, totaling approximately $188 billion. Specific examples include $80 billion in losses in New York and New Jersey from Hurricane Sandy and $426 million in damages to Oklahoma's property, municipalities, and agriculture due to drought-induced wildfires.
• Implementing the National Climate Action Plan's targets—specifically reducing GHG emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020—offers significant economic savings in four primary sectors: power plants could see annual savings of $25 billion to $60 billion by reducing CO2 emissions 26 percent below 2005 levels; consumers could save $26 billion annually by 2025 through 34 updated energy efficiency standards; and the energy industry could save $2 billion annually by reducing methane leakage.
• The document argues that the costs of environmental regulations are typically overstated and are offset by broader benefits. It cites that since 1970, every $1 invested in Clean Air Act compliance has yielded $4-8 in economic benefits. Furthermore, the Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that every $1 invested in community resilience reduces extreme weather damage by $4.
• Clear environmental standards are presented as a catalyst for industry investment. The text notes that EPA GHG emissions standards for light-duty vehicles received support from labor unions, environmental organizations, and auto manufacturers, with Ford Motor Corporation stating that the regulatory framework allows manufacturers to plan and invest in the future.

APA

World Resources Institute (2013). By the Numbers: The Economic Benefits of a National Climate Action Plan. https://www.wri.org/insights/numbers-economic-benefits-national-climate-action-plan

Chicago

World Resources Institute. By the Numbers: The Economic Benefits of a National Climate Action Plan. 2013. https://www.wri.org/insights/numbers-economic-benefits-national-climate-action-plan.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=By the Numbers: The Economic Benefits of a National Climate Action Plan |date=28 June 2013 |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/numbers-economic-benefits-national-climate-action-plan |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2013numbers, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{By the Numbers: The Economic Benefits of a National Climate Action Plan}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2013}, month = jun, url = {https://www.wri.org/insights/numbers-economic-benefits-national-climate-action-plan}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }