 Bush
Administration Launches "Climate VISION"
February 12, 2003
"Climate, Voluntary Innovative Sector Initiatives:
Opportunities Now" Will Address Challenge of Climate
Change
. The Department of Energy, on behalf of the Administration,
has launched the President's "Climate VISION"
(Voluntary Innovative Sector Initiatives: Opportunities
Now) - a voluntary, public-private partnership to pursue
cost-effective initiatives that will reduce the projected
growth in America's greenhouse gas emissions. Climate
VISION will be administered through the Department of
Energy's policy and international program.
Climate VISION directly responds to President Bush's announcement
made nearly one year ago, Feb. 14, 2002, to address the
long-term challenge of global climate change. As part
of this strategy, he committed to reducing America's greenhouse
gas intensity - the ratio of emissions to economic output
- by 18 percent during the next decade, and challenged
American businesses and industries to undertake broader
efforts to help meet that goal. Climate VISION is part
of the global climate change strategy to work with energy
partners to meet the President's greenhouse gas intensity
goals. Climate VISION represents a beginning to seek greater
reductions and the participation of other industry sectors
going forward.
Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham, together with Environmental
Protection Agency Administrator Christine Todd Whitman,
Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, Deputy Secretary
of Transportation Michael Jackson, and White House Council
on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton joined
business and industry leaders participating in Climate
VISION to recognize the significant initiatives that major,
energy-intensive sectors of the American economy are undertaking
to meet the President's challenge. These initiatives build
upon the progress made by the industrial sector in the
past decade, from 1990 to 2001, while the economy grew
by almost 40 percent, greenhouse gas emissions in the
industrial sector were constant.
Statements at today's event from Administration officials
included:
Energy Secretary Abraham: "We look forward to working
closely with American industry and other sectors in fulfilling
commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from a
growing and productive US economy. Together, the participants
in Climate VISION will bring forward their best efforts,
best ideas, technologies and industrial processes to reduce,
avoid and sequester greenhouse gas emissions."
EPA Administrator Whitman: "The industry leaders
of America are answering the President's call to work
with the federal government and take voluntary actions
to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and for that,
each of you should be commended for your initiative and
leadership on this issue."
Secretary of Agriculture Veneman: "The President's
plan recognizes the important role that forestry and agricultural
lands can play in addressing climate change. The results
of the partnerships announced today will help offset greenhouse
gas emissions."
DOT Deputy Secretary Jackson: "The commitments exemplified
by the automotive and rail industries, and the other private
sector industries represented here today, are exactly
the sort of voluntary efforts that Americans are known
for, and exactly the sort needed to meet President Bush's
ambitious vision to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
The sectors at today's event included the energy, manufacturing,
transportation and forest industries and the following
associations: Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Aluminum
Association, American Chemistry Council, American Forest
and Paper Association, American Iron and Steel Institute,
American Petroleum Institute, American Public Power Association,
Association of American Railroads, Business Roundtable
Table, Edison Electric Institute, Electric Power Supply
Association, Magnesium Coalition and the International
Magnesium Association, National Mining Association, National
Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Nuclear Energy
Institute, Portland Cement Association, and Semiconductor
Industry Association.
For further information on the strategies each sector
is pursuing, please see the attached fact sheet or check
the DOE web site at: www.energy.gov
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