Emission Gap Report 2020

[United Nations]

"Every year, the Emissions Gap Report signals the difference between where greenhouse emissions are predicted to be in 2030 and where they should be to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

The 2020 report finds that a brief dip in carbon dioxide emissions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will make no significant difference to long-term climate change..

The world is still heading for a catastrophic temperature rise in excess of 3 degree C this century - far beyond the Pris Agreement goals of limiting global warming to well below 2 degree c and pursuing 1.5 degree C.

But hope lies in a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which could help put the world close to the pathway to 2 degree C, and growing commitments to net-zero emissions by 2050 - although more work would be required to reach the 1.5 degree C goal..."
Emissions 

Volkswagen to Spend up to $14.7 Billion to Settle Allegations of Cheating Emissions Tests and Deceiving Customers on 2.0 Liter Diesel Vehicles

"In two related settlements, one with the United States and the State of California, and one with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), German automaker Volkswagen AG and related entities have agreed to spend up to $14.7 billion to settle allegations of cheating emissions tests and deceiving customers. Volkswagen will offer consumers a buyback and lease termination for nearly 500,000 model year 2009-2015 2.0 liter diesel vehicles sold or leased in the U.S., and spend up to $10.03 billion to compensate consumers under the program. In addition, the companies will spend $4.7 billion to mitigate the pollution from these cars and invest in green vehicle technology.

The settlements partially resolve allegations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as the California Attorney General’s Office and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) under the Clean Air Act, California Health and Safety Code, and California’s Unfair Competition Laws, relating to the vehicles’ use of “defeat devices” to cheat emissions tests. The settlements also resolve claims by the FTC that Volkswagen violated the FTC Act through the deceptive and unfair advertising and sale of its “clean diesel” vehicles. The settlements do not resolve pending claims for civil penalties or any claims concerning 3.0 liter diesel vehicles. Nor do they address any potential criminal liability..."

Volkswagen and emission test

U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2014

View the latest data on carbon dioxide emissions as collected by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Carbon dioxide emissions

Improvements Needed in EPA Efforts to Address Methane Emissions F rom Natural Gas Distribution Pipelines

"The EPA has placed little focus and attention on reducing methane emissions from pipelines in

the natural gas distribution sector. In 2012, the EPA stated its intent to continue to

evaluate the appropriateness of regulating methane.The 2013 Climate Action Plan

calls for the EPA, in conjunction with other federal agencies, to develop a comprehensive

interagency strategy to address methane emissions..."

Methane emissions

Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions declined in 2012

"Energy-related carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in 2012 were the lowest in the United States since 1994, at 5.3 billion metric tons of CO₂ .
 With the exception of 2010, emissions have declined every year since 2007.
The largest drop in emissions in 2012 came from coal, which is used almost exclusively for electricity generation (see figure below). During 2012, particularly in the spring and early summer, low natural gas prices led to competition between natural gas- and coal-fired electric power generators..."
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 2012

Asian emissions can increase ground-level ozone pollution in U.S. West

"Springtime air pollution from Asia, swept across the Pacific Ocean on winds, can contribute to episodes of high surface ozone pollution in the western United States, according to a new study by NOAA scientists and academic colleagues.

Several recent studies have shown that powerful spring winds can carry Asian pollution into the atmosphere above North America. The new analysis goes further, using high-resolution models and observations to show how some of the imported pollution can descend to the surface, where it affects ground-level ozone, a regulated pollutant. At high concentrations, ground-level ozone can cause severe respiratory effects in some people, and it damages crops, trees, and other vegetation..."

State-Level Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2000-2009

"Over the time period from 2000 to 2009, carbon dioxide emissions fell in the United States and most individual States (Table 1). Thirteen States, however, experienced emissions increases in that time period. The greatest percentage increase was in Nebraska at 13.3 percent (5.5 million metric tons), while Colorado experienced the greatest absolute increase (8.9 million metric tons or 10.5 percent). Other States that experienced growth included: Arizona (9.5 percent), Iowa (7.5 percent), South Dakota (5.1 percent), Missouri (4.7 percent), and Oklahoma (4.4 percent)..."

The Clean Air Act Where You Live

"This Administration has taken a series of reasonable, common-sense steps under the Clean Air Act – many of which are decades over due and issued in response to court orders – to reduce emissions of mercury, acid gas, particulate matter, arsenic and other harmful chemicals from some of the biggest polluters in the nation. Two of these, the Cross State Air Pollution Rule and the proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, will save tens of thousands of lives, prevent hundreds of thousands of asthma and heart attacks and avert millions of missed school and work days – yielding hundreds of billions of dollars in benefits to our communities. The Cross State Air Pollution Rule ensures that hundreds of millions of Americans from the midwest to the East Coast are not forced to breathe air pollution from other states."

U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2010
"This analysis examines the level and drivers of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2010. After a historic decline in 2009, energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rebounded in 2010, but still remain 358 million metric tons (6 percent) below the 2005 level..."

EPA Tightens Air Emissions for Hospital, Medical, and Infectious Waste Incinerators
"EPA is setting new limits that will affect most existing hospital, medical, and infectious waste incinerators. This final action will reduce about 390,000 pounds of several pollutants each year including acid gases, nitrogen oxides, and metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. EPA is also finalizing additional testing, monitoring, and inspection requirements.

This final action revises the September 1997 new source performance standards and emission guidelines for these incinerators and responds to the Court remand of the regulations. It also satisfies the Clean Air Act requirement to conduct a review of the standards every five years."

More information on the final rule and amendments.

EPA Needs to Improve Its Efforts to Reduce Air Emissions at U.S. Ports
"...We recommended that EPA (1) assess its authorities and responsibilities under the CAA to regulate air emissions from foreign-flagged vessels in U.S. ports, and report any shortfalls to Congress; (2) assess the extent to which Emissions Control Areas should be designated for U.S. coastal areas; and (3) revise its ports strategy to include a transformation plan. EPA’s comments on the first recommendation were not responsive and do not satisfy the intent of the recommendation. The Agency concurred with the second recommendation, but did not agree with the third recommendation. We consider Recommendations 1 and 3 open and unresolved."

EPA: Significant Changes Proposed for Lead Emissions, Monitoring
"EPA proposed a significant reduction in the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead emissions May 1. The Agency proposes to move the standard from the 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air it has been since 1978 to a range of 0.10 to 0.30 micrograms per cubic meter. EPA also proposes to revise various elements of the standard to provide increased protection for children and other at-risk populations against an array of adverse health effects, most notably, effects on the developing nervous system."

CBO TESTIMONY Statement of Peter R. Orszag Director, Implications of a Cap-and-Trade Program for Carbon Dioxide Emissions
"Chairman Baucus, Senator Grassley, and Members of the Committee, thank you for the invitation to discuss the implications of cap-and-trade programs that are designed to reduce U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases, most prominently carbon dioxide (CO2).

Global climate change is one of the nation’s most significant long-term policy challenges. Human activities are producing increasingly large quantities of greenhouse gases, particularly CO2. The accumulation of those gases in the atmosphere is expected to have potentially serious and costly effects on regional climates throughout the world. The magnitude of such damage remains highly uncertain, but there is growing recognition of the risk that the damage may be extensive and perhaps even catastrophic..."

NOAA Reports Carbon Dioxide, Methane Rise Sharply in 2007"Last year alone global levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the primary driver of global climate change, increased by 0.6 percent, or 19 billion tons. Additionally methane rose by 27 million tons after nearly a decade with little or no increase. NOAA scientists released these and other preliminary findings today as part of an annual update to the agency’s greenhouse gas index, which tracks data from 60 sites around the world."

The Role of Offsets in a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap-and-Trade Program: Potential Benefits and Concerns
"If Congress establishes a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction program
(e.g., cap-and-trade system), the treatment of GHG emission offsets would likely be
a critical design element. If allowed as part of an emissions program, offsets could
provide cost savings and other benefits. However, offsets have generated concern.

An offset is a measurable reduction, avoidance, or sequestration of GHG
emissions from a source not covered by an emission reduction program. If allowed,
offset projects could generate “emission credits,” which could be used by a regulated
entity (e.g., power plant) to comply with its reduction requirement. Offsets could
include various activities:

! agriculture or forestry projects: e.g., conservation tillage or planting
trees on previously non-forested lands;
! renewable energy projects: e.g., wind farms;
! energy efficiency projects: e.g., equipment upgrades;
! non-CO2 emissions reduction projects: e.g., methane from landfills"

New Strategy to Help the Nation's Ports Go Green
"EPA has unveiled a new plan of action for working with public port authorities and other interested groups to reduce the environmental impacts of moving goods through ports. The "Vision, Mission, and Strategy for Sustainable Ports" recognizes the steady growth in global maritime commerce and the critical role American ports and related transportation and supply chain partners play in managing the environmental impacts of moving goods across the country. "