Progress: 2014 U.S. GHG Emissions 9% Below 2005 Levels

How much progress are we making in the battle against climate change? Since peaking in 2007, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions have declined. According to the latest data, net GHG emissions in 2014 were 9% below 2005 levels.

The biggest area of improvement achieved deep reductions in energy-related CO2 reductions since 2014, driven by improvements in energy efficiency and the increasing prevalence of low emission technology. The silver lining of the Great Recession in 2008 was that the lower economic activity also reduced greenhouse gas emissions across the country; contributing to the improvement.

Many of the best tools for lowering greenhouse gas emissions were enacted by the Obama Administration, like new tax incentives and loan guarantee programs to spur investments in clean energy, the first-ever federal carbon pollution standards for power plants, and energy efficiency standards in buildings, cars, and appliances.

Programs and policies are just the first step. Expect regulations and standards to ramp up over time to meet the climate goals laid out before the United States. With the right technology, every energy user, from the biggest buildings to the smallest cars, can do their part in the fight for a sustainable energy future.

Read the full report: “United States Mid-Century Strategy for Deep Decarbonization”