Emerging U.S. Climate Policy: Where We are and How We Got Here

Abstract

After eight years of non-engagement, the new administration and the U.S. Congress, led by a majority in the President’s party, are rapidly developing climate policy legislation. This paper summarizes past efforts to establish a national climate policy in the United States as well as the major forces influencing the current debate. While this debate is largely shaped by domestic considerations, it takes place as the international community moves to agree on a post-Kyoto policy regime in Copenhagen next December. Whether the United States is willing to take strong action will significantly influence the actions of other nations.N.B. This paper is being submitted in the midst of a dynamic legislative process. It ends with what the authors know now, but much will happen in the next three months. We will continue to follow these developments closely as to present the workshop with the most up-to-date account of legislative activity in the United States.