United States of America: The President's climate action plan
This broad-based plan focuses on cutting the carbon pollution that causes climate change and affects public health.
It has three key pillars:
- Cut carbon pollution in America: the plan (i) directs EPA to work closely with stakeholders to establish carbon pollution standards for both new and existing power plants; (ii) provides for loan guarantees for investments in innovative technologies; (iii) includes provisions for expanding on renewable energy projects; (iii) expands the President’s Better Building Challenge; (iv) sets a goal to reduce carbon pollution by at least 3 billion metric tons cumulatively by 2030; among other measures.
- Prepare the United States for the impacts of climate change: The plan (i) directs agencies to support local climate-resilient investment by removing barriers or counterproductive policies and modernizing programs; and establishes a short-term task force of state, local, and tribal officials to advise on key actions the Federal government can take to help strengthen communities on the ground; (ii) pilots innovative strategies in the Hurricane Sandy-affected region to strengthen communities against future extreme weather and other climate impacts; and building on a new, consistent flood risk reduction standard established for the Sandy-affected region, agencies will update flood-risk reduction standards for all federally funded projects; (iii) launches an effort to create sustainable and resilient hospitals in the face of climate change through a public-private partnership with the healthcare industry; (iv) maintains agricultural productivity by delivering tailored, science-based knowledge to farmers, ranchers, and landowners; and helps communities prepare for drought and wildfire by launching a National Drought Resilience Partnership and by expanding and prioritizing forest- and rangeland- restoration efforts to make areas less vulnerable to catastrophic fire; and (v) provides climate preparedness tools and information needed by state, local, and private-sector leaders through a centralized “toolkit” and a new Climate Data Initiative.
- Lead international efforts to combat global climate change and prepare for its impacts: one of the objectives is to strengthen global resilience to climate change by expanding government and local community planning and response capacities.
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Themes
Climate change
Health and health facilities
Private sector
Governance
Social impacts and social resilience
Food security and agriculture
Country and region
United States of America
Publication year
2013