October 22, 1997
WWF Also Releases New Opinion Survey Showing That Americans Support
Unilateral Action By U.S. To Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions
WASHINGTON, -- A sharp reduction of greenhouse gases in
the U.S. -- like carbon dioxide produced by the burning of coal, oil and
gasoline -- would greatly benefit both the economy and the environment over
the next decade, according to a report just released by the World Wildlife
Fund (WWF).
The study, "Policies and Measures to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions in
the United States," by the Tellus Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, was
commissioned by WWF in preparation for the upcoming United Nations summit in
Kyoto, Japan on combating climate change. The anlaysts identified actions
that would quickly and significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the
U.S. below projected 'business as usual' levels starting in 1998. The
report makes clear that real carbon dioxide emission reductions that could
result in potential economic benefits are feasible by the year 2010.
The study identifies policies and measures for cutting carbon dioxide
emissions that are economical and offer an effective "climate protection
strategy" to transition the nation toward the deeper, long-term emissions
reductions that will be necessary to ultimately halt climate change. It
found that cutting U.S. emissions by 10 percent by 2005 would result in net
savings to the economy of $46 billion and by 2010 that figure would rise to
$136 billion with a 22 percent emissions reduction. These net savings were
calculated by comparing the present value of economy-wide costs to
economy-wide savings from the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
"This report is a welcome antidote from the apocalyptic claims of some
business and government leaders who insist that any action to combat climate
change will result in economic disaster," said Adam Markham, director of
WWF's Climate Change Campaign. "The message is clear -- cutting carbon
dioxide emissions will not only help stop global warming, it could increase
America's bottom-line."
The key policies cited in the study are:
Renewable Content Standards -- requiring increasing proportions of
electricity and motor fuels from renewable resources through credit-trading
market mechanisms;
Pollutant Emissions Caps -- limiting greenhouse gas emissions in the
electric power sector through allowance trade systems;
An Advanced Vehicle Initiative -- introducing stronger fuel economy and
emissions standards along with pricing reform, incentives and demand
management to encourage the commercialization of clean and efficient
vehicles, and more environmentally sound travel patterns;
Investment Tax Credits -- speeding the adoption of energy efficiency
technologies for new manufacturing equipment through an incentive paid for
by fees on energy purchases;
Regulatory Reform -- representing the economic and environmental benefits
of industrial combined-heat-and-power (cogeneration) and the speed of its
adoption;
Market Transformation Incentives -- that help move energy efficient
products from prototype to commercial production;
Appliance and Building Standards -- reducing energy use in homes and
offices;
Biomass Co-firing Expansion -- establishing a significant amount of
renewable energy in the current electricity supply sector.
In conjunction with the release of the policies and measures report, WWF
released a new public opinion survey on climate change today. The new poll
shows that fully 71 percent of Americans believe that the U.S. and the other
industrialized countries of the world should agree to reduce carbon dioxide
emissions irrespective of what developing countries do. Despite an
aggressive fossil fuel industry advertising campaign, only 14 percent of
Americans believe the U.S. should not agree to carbon dioxide emissions
reductions unless all the industrialized and developing countries also agree
to reduce their emissions. A mere six percent say the U.S. should do
nothing to curb its emissions.
WWF leads international efforts to protect the diversity of life on Earth.
The WWF Climate Change Campaign is working around the world to raise
awareness of the threats of climate change to wildlife and natural
ecosystems, urge governments to take action to prevent climate change, and
build partnerships with business and industry to find solutions to the
problem.