The United States will have to take additional actions beyond the policies already implemented or expected to meet its commitment under the Paris Agreement, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) said Wednesday. The U.S. has pledged to cut its net greenhouse gas emissions 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. “To get all the way to the goal line, we’ll need concerted efforts across multiple fronts. But the goal is definitely within reach,’’ C2ES President Bob Perciasepe said.
According to the organization’s report, the U.S. had already reduced emission 9 percent below 2005 levels in 2014, the most recent year for which data is available. “Available analyses suggest that the United States could reduce emissions by as much as 22 percent with policies either already in place or soon anticipated,” according to the paper.
There are several ways to fill the 4 percent gap between the projection and the goal, C2ES found. “Further steps to fill this gap could include federal policies beyond those already initiated or in place, technological advances that lower the cost of emissions reduction, and stronger efforts by cities and businesses,” the report says.
