Actions on Climate Change

U.S. Action on Climate Change in 2013

United States views on international law [1] in relation to U.S. Action on Climate Change: (1) U.S. Climate Action Plan

On June 25, 2013, President Obama announced the U.S. Climate Action Plan. See White House Fact Sheet, available at (President's Subdomain) whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/06/25/factsheet-president-obama-s-climate-action-plan. The plan includes a commitment to lead international efforts to address global climate change by, for example, expanding bilateral initiatives with China, India, and other major emitting countries. Secretary Kerry issued a press statement on June 25, 2013 in response to the announcement of the President's Climate Action Plan, available at (Secretary of State website) state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/06/211124.htm. Secretary Kerry said:

The President's historic announcement today will send ripples internationally about the United States' commitment to meeting the climate change challenge. Leading the world as the “indispensable nation” demands that we must be the indispensable stewards of the planet. Decisive action at home empowers us to make more progress internationally on a shared challenge.

…

Climate change cannot be solved by one nation alone. The global community must step up. I raise this issue everywhere I travel, in every meeting, and we have already broken new ground by creating the U.S.-China Working Group, where we recently agreed to work together to phase down a class of potent greenhouse gases. Just this past weekend, we launched a Climate Working Group with India that can lead to similar advances. And we are working with partners around the world to craft an ambitious, fair, and durable international climate agreement. Continued pressure and high-level engagement is vital to reduce emissions, transform global energy economies, and help the most vulnerable cope with the effects of climate change. We must use every day to find and take tangible, collaborative steps forward.

Some Aspects of U.S. Action on Climate Change

(2) E.O. 13653: Preparing the U.S. for impacts of climate change

On November 6, 2013, President Obama issued Executive Order 13653, “Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change.” 78 Fed. Reg. 66,819 (Nov. 6, 2013). Among other things, the Order establishes an interagency Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience and a State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience. The Executive Order directs federal agencies to take a series of steps to make it easier for decision makers at all levels of federal, state, and local government to strengthen resilience to extreme weather events and prepare for other impacts of climate change.

Resources

Notes

1. U.s. Action on Climate Change in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law