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Identifying Economic Gains from Climate Action in United States

 

Natural Gas Systems

  • Recent standards to reduce methane leaks are expected to save industry millions of dollars per year, while reduced air pollution will have substantial health benefits.
  • Methane emissions can be reduced by 25 percent or more through measures that pay for themselves in three years or less, and even deeper emissions reductions are possible at just a few cents per thousand cubic feet of gas.

Hydroflourocarbons, or HFCs (Refrigerants)

  • Many companies around the world – including General Motors, Coca-Cola, Red Bull, and Heineken – have already cut energy costs substantially by switching to safer and cheaper alternatives to HFC refrigerants.
  • The United States can reduce HFC emissions by over 40 percent from what would otherwise be emitted in 2030 at a negative or break-even price today.

Seeing is Believing also provides new recommendations in each of the five areas to deliver additional economic gains through long-term policy certainty for businesses and investors via standards, carbon pricing, or other mechanisms; driving technological improvements through research and development; and providing a better investment environment for new technologies. 

“This new analysis shows that not only is a shift to low-carbon technologies happening, it’s happening faster than expected and saving Americans money in the process. The old equation that linked carbon emissions to economic growth simply doesn’t add up anymore,” said Chad Holliday, member and former Chairman of the Board, Bank of America.

“Honeywell’s nearly $900 million investment commitment to commercialize our low-global warming Solstice® hydrofluoro-olefin refrigerants, blowing agents, solvents and aerosols will support U.S. jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally. The strong demand for these innovative and environmentally-friendlier products is proof that the HFC findings in WRI’s Seeing is Believing study are accurate – the business community can play a crucial role in both growing our economy and bettering our environment,” said Ken Gayer, vice president and general manager of Honeywell’s Fluorine Products business.

 

Click here to read/download the Full Report.

 

Source: WRI.