For the first time, both major party candidates for the presidency are deeply concerned about global climate change and publicly support a mandatory, economy-wide cap-and-trade system [1] for reducing the U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to global climate change. Global climate change now occupies a place of unprecedented importance in American politics, as the debate has advanced beyond the causes of global climate change [2] to the actions needed to address it. This guide outlines key climate positions of Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama, examines the records of their respective vice-presidential nominees, and details relevant portions of the Republican and Democratic Party platforms, with links to related resources focused on critical climate change policy issues.
As a non-partisan policy center, the Pew Center on Global Climate Change will not be endorsing a specific candidate, and will be working to inform the policies of whoever is elected president. This brief guide discusses a few notable details of the presidential contenders’ plans to combat global climate change. A detailed, bullet-point summary of the candidates’ policies is contained in the appendix [3].
Download the full guide [4] (pdf)
Alternatively, you can jump directly to specific portions of the guide by clicking on the corresponding links below:
- Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade as Primary Method of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions [5]
- Complementary Policies to Slow or Reduce GHG Emissions [6]
- International Climate Agreements [7]
- EPA Regulations for CO2 [8]
- On the Campaign Trail [9]
- The Vice-Presidential Candidates [10]
- The Party Platforms [11]
- Appendix: Candidates’ Climate- and Energy-Related Policy Positions [3]
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