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      <h1  class="page-title">What EPA Is Doing about Climate Change</h1>
      
    
            
    
    
    
  
    




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	<h2 class="pane-title">Clean Power Plan</h2>

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		<p>In August 2015, President Obama and the EPA unveiled the Clean Power Plan -- a historic and important step in reducing carbon pollution from power plants. <a href="/cleanpowerplan">Learn More</a>.</p>
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<p>EPA is taking a number of common-sense steps to address the challenge of climate change.</p>

<h3>Collecting Emissions Data</h3>

<p>EPA collects various types of greenhouse gas emissions data. This data helps policy makers, businesses, and the Agency track greenhouse gas emissions trends and identify opportunities for reducing emissions and increasing efficiency.</p>

<ul><li><a href="/ghgemissions/us-greenhouse-gas-inventory-report-1990-2014">The Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks</a> provides the United States' official estimate of total national-level greenhouse gas emissions.

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			<h2 class="pane-title">The President's Climate Action Plan</h2>

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				<ul><li>June 2013 <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/president27sclimateactionplan.pdf">Climate Action Plan</a> <small>(PDF, 21pp , 318K)</small></li>
					<li>March 2014 <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/strategy_to_reduce_methane_emissions_2014-03-28_final.pdf">Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions</a> <small>(PDF, 15pp, 2MB)</small></li>
					<li>August 2014 <a href="https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2014/08/new-biogas-opportunities-roadmap-is-part-of-climate-change-solution-emerging-biogas-industry-offers-new-revenue-opportunities-for-americas-farmers/">Biogas Opportunities Roadmap</a></li>
					<li>January 2015 <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/03/28/strategy-cut-methane-emissions">Methane Strategy for Oil and Gas Sector</a></li>
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		This report tracks annual U.S. greenhouse gas emissions since 1990.</li>
	<li>The <a href="/ghgreporting">Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program</a> collects and publishes emissions data from individual facilities in the United States that emit greenhouse gases in large quantities.</li>
</ul><h3>Getting Reductions</h3>

<p>EPA is reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a clean energy economy through highly successful partnerships and common-sense regulatory initiatives.</p>

<ul><li><em>Developing Common-sense Regulatory Initiatives:</em> EPA is developing common-sense <a href="/climatechange/climate-change-regulatory-initiatives">regulatory initiatives</a>, to reduce GHG emissions and increase efficiency. For example, EPA's <a href="https://www3.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm">vehicle greenhouse gas rules</a> will save consumers $1.7 trillion at the pump by 2025, and eliminate six billion metric tons of GHG pollution. EPA's <a href="/cleanpowerplan">Clean Power Plan</a> addresses emissions from power plants, <div class="box multi related-info right">
			<h2 class="pane-title">Climate Connections</h2>

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				<p>Learn about EPA's activities and information in the following areas:</p>

				<ul><li><a href="/energy">Clean Energy</a></li>
					<li><a href="https://www3.epa.gov/otaq/climate/index.htm">Climate and Transportation</a></li>
					<li><a href="/climate-change-water-sector">Climate and Water</a></li>
					<li><a href="/climatechange/climate-change-and-waste">Climate and Waste</a></li>
					<li><a href="/climatechange/carbon-dioxide-capture-and-sequestration-overview">Carbon Dioxide Capture and Sequestration</a></li>
					<li><a href="/climatechange/carbon-dioxide-emissions-associated-bioenergy-and-other-biogenic-sources">CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions Associated with Biomass Use at Stationary Sources</a></li>
					<li><a href="/climate-research">Climate Science Research</a></li>
					<li><a href="http://www.globalmethane.org/gmi/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1">Global Methane Initiative</a> <a class="exit-disclaimer" href="/home/exit-epa" title="EPA's External Link Disclaimer">Exit</a></li>
				</ul><p>Learn about other federal climate activities and data:</p>

				<ul><li><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/climate-change">The White House: Energy, Climate, and Our Environment</a></li>
					<li><a href="http://www.globalchange.gov/">The U.S. Global Change Research Program</a></li>
					<li><a href="http://www.state.gov/e/oes/climate/">The U.S. Department of State: Global Climate Change</a></li>
					<li><a href="http://climate.nasa.gov/">National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)</a></li>
					<li><a href="https://www.climate.gov/">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)</a></li>
					<li><a href="http://climate.dot.gov/index.html">Department of Transportation: Transportation and Climate Change Clearinghouse</a></li>
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		</div>the largest source of carbon pollution in the country. When the Clean Power Plan is fully in place in 2030, carbon pollution from the power sector will be 32 percent below 2005 levels.</li>
	<li><em>Partnering With the Private Sector:</em> Through <a href="/climatechange/voluntary-energy-and-climate-programs">voluntary energy and climate programs</a>, EPA's partners reduced over 345 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2010 alone - equivalent to the emissions from 81 million vehicles - and saving consumers and businesses of about $21 billion.</li>
	<li><em>Reducing EPA's Carbon Footprint:</em> EPA is monitoring emissions from its own energy use and fuel consumption and working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2020. Learn more about <a href="/greeningepa">federal greenhouse gas requirements and EPA's Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan</a>.</li>
</ul><h3>Evaluating Policy Options, Costs and Benefits</h3>

<p>EPA conducts economy-wide analyses to understand the economic impacts and effectiveness of proposed climate policies. Learn more about <a href="/climatechange/evaluating-climate-policy-options-costs-and-benefits">EPA's economic analyses</a> on climate policies and the associated costs and benefits.</p>

<h3>Advancing the Science</h3>

<p>EPA contributes to world-class climate research through the <a href="http://www.globalchange.gov/">U.S. Global Change Research Program</a> and the <a href="http://www.ipcc.ch/">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a> <a class="exit-disclaimer" href="/home/exit-epa" title="EPA's External Link Disclaimer">Exit</a>. EPA's <a href="/climate-research">Office of Research and Development</a> conducts research to understand the environmental and health impacts of climate change and to provide sustainable solutions for adapting to and reducing the impact from a changing climate.</p>

<h3>Partnering Internationally</h3>

<p>EPA is engaged in a variety of international activities to advance climate change science, monitor our environment, and promote activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. EPA establishes partnerships, provides leadership, and shares technical expertise to support these activities. Learn more about <a href="/climatechange/international-climate-partnerships">EPA's International Climate Partnerships</a>.</p>

<h3>Partnering With States, Localities, and Tribes</h3>

<p><a href="/statelocalclimate">EPA's State and Local Climate and Energy Program</a> provides technical assistance, analytical tools, and outreach support on climate change issues to state, local, and tribal governments. See <a href="/statelocalclimate/climate-showcase-communities-program">the progress made by our pilot communities</a>.</p>

<h3>Helping Communities Adapt</h3>

<p>EPA's <a href="/cre">Climate Ready Estuaries</a> and <a href="/crwu">Climate Ready Water Utilities</a> programs help coastal resource managers and water utility managers, respectively, plan and prepare for climate change. Learn more about <a href="/climatechange/epa-adaptation-planning">EPA's efforts on adapting to climate change</a>.</p>

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