WRI Analyzes Carbon Emissions Targets of Congressional Climate Change Bills

WRI has updated and expanded its analysis of six mandatory cap-and-trade proposals for carbon emissions.The World Resources Institute (WRI) has updated and expanded its analysis of six mandatory cap-and-trade proposals for carbon emissions. It has been updated to include the recent proposals of U.S. Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) and John Warner (R-Va.) and U.S. Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.).

The analysis (Figure 1), can be an important tool in evaluating the environmental stringency of proposed legislation.

WRI also released today a new chart that compares the cumulative emissions budget outlined in each bill now being considered by Congress (Figure 2). Figure 1 reviews the emissions trajectory of the cap and trade on a year by year basis, Figure 2 reviews the total emissions budget over the course of the legislation. Stabilizing emissions between 450-550 ppm could be achieved through a variety of targets and timetables.

Different bills cover varying portions of the economy. The new charts incorporate additional analysis to reflect the differences in sectoral coverage among the bills.

“Charting a course for mandatory emissions reductions is critical, but targets alone do not allow for a thorough comparison of the different bills,” said Dr. Jonathan Pershing, director of WRI’s Climate and Energy Program. “This analysis highlights the fact that a cap-and-trade program alone will not solve the global warming challenge. Complementary policies will be needed.”

The analysis does not depict the economic costs or impacts resulting from these policies. Emissions are likely to vary from these projections. For the full methodology and assumptions underlying these charts, please visit http://www.wri.org/usclimatetargets.

Figure 1: Legislative Climate Change Targets in the 110th Congress

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Figure 2: Cumulative Emissions Budgets under Legislative Climate Change Targets in the 110th Congress

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