Policy

The United States is the world’s largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter, accounting for roughly 25 percent of global emissions to date.  No strategy to address global climate change can succeed without substantial and permanent reductions in U.S. emissions.  Efforts to date have failed to curb the overall growth in U.S. emissions, which have increased since 1990.  To address global climate change effectively, the United States must actively pursue real reductions in GHG emissions at home and abroad.

The Pew Center’s Domestic Policy program seeks to educate key policy-makers about the kinds of policies and actions needed to reduce GHG emissions.

To accomplish these objectives, the Pew Center publishes a number of analyses, including a series of reports focused on effective and equitable policy alternatives, a series of policy briefs covering key elements of a prospective U.S. climate change program, various working papers, and analyses of legislative and Administration proposals. 

The Pew Center also monitors and promotes climate change mitigation activity in Congress, at the state level, and in the business community.  In addition, the Center hosts conferences and workshops on selected topics to facilitate dialogue among business, government, and non-governmental organizations and develop pragmatic policy and technological solutions.