International Programs
Global Climate Change
Key Topics
- Air Quality and Public Health
- Transboundary Air Pollution
- Air Quality Management Manual
- Air Quality: Methods, Tools, and Training
- Global Climate Change
- Stratospheric Ozone
- Toxic Air Pollutants
- Indoor Air Quality
- Transportation and Air Quality
- Initiatives and Partnerships
- Bilateral and International Agreements
- Partners
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
According to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the Earth's surface temperature has risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with accelerated warming during the past two decades. There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities. Human activities have altered the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the buildup of greenhouse gases – primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. The heat-trapping property of these gases is undisputed although uncertainties exist about exactly how the Earth’s climate responds to them.
To address the issue of global climate change, EPA is engaged in activities in the U.S. and across the world. The following links provide more information on EPA’s climate change programs, which focus on climate science, greenhouse gas emissions, and the potential impacts of climate change, along with government, corporate and individual actions that help address global warming issues.
EPA works with businesses, organizations, governments, and consumers to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change by promoting greater use of energy efficient and other cost-effective technologies. We also work to improve understanding of the more potent greenhouse gases and options for sequestering carbon dioxide. We accomplish much of this work through national and international Climate Protection Partnerships.
Key International Partnerships:
United Nations Global Climate Programs:
For information on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change:
The White House, U.S. State Department and Department of Energy have additional information on the U.S. government’s climate policies:
- White House Energy & Environment Site
- U.S. Department of State - Climate Change
- U.S. Department of Energy - Climate Change
- USAID - Environment and Global Climate Change
EPA has also developed a number of Economic Models and Tools to analyze costs, benefits, emission growth factors, and economic impacts.
Saving energy – through efficient and wise energy use – helps protect the environment. When we save on energy use, we help prevent carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and other forms of air pollution. Energy efficiency is a smart practice that helps the economy, too, by saving consumers and businesses million of dollars in energy costs each year.
- EPA - Energy Efficiency
- Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency
- Energy Star programs
- Energy Efficiency in buildings
The Integrated Environmental Strategies (IES) program engages developing countries to build support for integrated planning to both address local environmental concerns and, secondarily, reduce associated global greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories
- Information on Greenhouse Gas Inventories
- International Emissions Information Inventory
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Emissions Inventory Guidelines
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. EPA has a variety of programs devoted to reducing methane emissions.
- EPA's International Methane Website
- Coalbed Methane Outreach Program International Activities
- Global Methane Initiative
- Landfill Methane Outreach Program
- Natural Gas STAR Program