US to miss own emissions targets: report

US to miss own emissions targets: report

The World Resources Institute’s report casts doubts on Obama’s chances of making action on global warming a successful part of his legacy.

US President Barack Obama’s administration’s goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 26% to 28% from 2005 levels by 2025 is likely to fail unless bolder measure are taken, a new study shows.

The report from US think-tank World Resources Institute, published Wednesday, also casts doubts on Obama’s chances of making action on global warming a successful part of his legacy.

Last year, the executive announced fresh measures to cut carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector and motor vehicles, which triggered significant opposition from industry groups and Republicans.

But according to the World Resources Institute, such measures are not enough and should be reformed to include even stricter guidelines to phase out coal-fired power plants; new standards to reduce emissions from manufacturing, construction and mining; limits on aircraft emissions; and measures to cut demand for ground travel.

US to miss own emissions targets: report

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“The challenges and urgency presented by climate change are abundantly clear, but so too are the capabilities to meet them, and the opportunities for economic gain,” said Sam Adams, director of Climate Initiative at the institute in a statement. “Leadership is in the doing, not just the pledging.”

Adams and his colleagues propose a 10-point plan for the administration to implement, saying that there is enough evidence to support that such actions can bring economic benefits to industry and consumers, while achieving the set targets on emissions.

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