The EPA is ending greenhouse gas data collection. Who will step up to fill the gap?

Grist
Grist
2M ago
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The EPA has announced the cessation of its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, raising concerns about the future of US climate policy and emissions tracking.
The EPA is ending greenhouse gas data collection. Who will step up to fill the gap?
A What happened
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it will no longer require polluting companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions, effectively dismantling the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). This program has been a cornerstone of US climate policy for 15 years, providing critical data on emissions from major sources like power plants and refineries. Experts, including former EPA officials, express concern that this decision will severely limit the government's ability to formulate effective climate strategies. While some NGOs and private entities may attempt to collect emissions data, they lack the legal authority and comprehensive approach of the EPA. The GHGRP data is also vital for international climate commitments and local policy-making. The move has sparked significant industry interest in continuing emissions tracking, especially as global markets impose stricter regulations. However, experts caution that the absence of centralized data collection will create substantial challenges for understanding and addressing greenhouse gas emissions.

Key insights

  • 1

    Impact on Climate Policy: Ending the GHGRP hampers the US government's ability to formulate effective climate strategies.

  • 2

    Role of NGOs: Non-governmental organizations may attempt to fill the data gap but cannot fully replicate EPA's efforts.

  • 3

    Industry Concerns: Companies still have a vested interest in tracking emissions for compliance with international standards.

Takeaways

The cessation of the GHGRP poses significant risks to US climate policy and emissions accountability.

Topics

Health & Medicine Public Health Climate & Environment Climate Change World & Politics Governance