Date: May 3, 2014
American climate change policies and legislation started out early. In the early phase of 1978-1992, American climate change legislation emphasized mainly on scientific research of climate change. National Climate Program Act of 1978 was established, along with other dispersed energy policy related laws. During this phase, America was more involved in international participation of climate change. It was the main leading hand behind United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol.
America then became passive on climate change responses under the influence of domestic politics. Between 1992 and 2014, there have been climate change policies in place of legislation. However, there’s lack of organizations responsible for energy related topics. For instance, the issue of energy regulation is under the supervision of Director of Climate Protection, which is an institution under Department of Energy. It was given much authority from the beginning for the research of climate science. And later on, the tasks of climate science were consigned to a higher level of controlling institution; such tasks were delivered by National Academy of Sciences, NAS. White House also set up climate science related research group. We could see that America values scientific research when it comes to climate science related policies. The panel participator researcher, Mr. Daigee Shaw further indicated that National Science Foundation plays a more important role than NAS, in respect of climate science research.
As to the climate change regulating mechanism, there isn’t special strategy on carbon reduction control. Economic incentives were the main method. The adjustment of climate change was mainly preceded through the forms of policies. Funds were established on financial and insurance mechanisms; however, unlike Mexico, these funds were used on international aid, instead of the domestic adjustment.
On the process and involvement of public participation of decision making, individual laws did not regulate the roles for public to involve in judiciary. However, America has quite mature system of administrative procedure and prosecution. Citizens could participate and begin a lawsuit through current legal system. Recently, there has been a less restrictive standard for the parties standing to sue and public involvement. Citizens could commence a lawsuit or require information disclosure on the standing of scientific research results.
Overall, American federation has transformed its climate change response strategies transformed from early laws to policies in the later phases. From active international involvement to substantial bilateral cooperation to specific countries, and to the recent Obama authority, there is more emphasis on multilateralism of climate diplomacy again.
With the main focus of the research transformed from slowing down of climate change issues and economic incentives to the later-staged adjustment topics, legislation and policies regarding climate science research were continued to be seen as important. And that the current administrative procedural system has served with maturity for public involvement and decision making.