[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 53 (Monday, March 19, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15470-15471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6704]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6954-1]


Preparation of Third U.S. Climate Action Report

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice; Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: In June 1992, the United States signed the United Nations 
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Pursuant to the 
national communication reporting requirements under Articles 4.2 and 12 
of the Convention and to guidelines later adopted by the UNFCCC 
Conference of the Parties (COP), the United States submitted the first 
U.S. Climate Action Report (USCAR) to the UNFCCC Secretariat in 1994 
and the second in 1997. The U.S. Government is currently preparing the 
third national communication, which is due to the UNFCCC secretariat no 
later than November 30, 2001. The purpose of this announcement is to 
notify interested members of the public of this process and to solicit 
contributions and input on the issues covered in the national 
communication before the draft text is released for public review (in 
summer of 2001).

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before noon, April 18, 
2001. However, comments received after that date will still be welcomed 
and will be considered during preparation of the report.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted to: Mr. Reid P. Harvey, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Atmospheric Programs (Mail 
Stop 6204N), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. 
Comments may also be e-mailed to [email protected] or faxed to 202-
565-6673. Overnight or courier deliveries should be sent to the office 
location at 633 3rd Street, NW., Washington, DC, 20001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Reid P. Harvey, Office of 
Atmospheric Programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at (202) 
564-9429.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In accordance with the UNFCCC's reporting requirements as specified 
in Articles 4.2 and 12, and following reporting guidelines developed 
(and adopted by the UNFCCC COP at its first session), the United States 
prepared the U.S. Climate Action Report (CAR) and submitted it to the 
UNFCCC Secretariat in October 1994.
    The CAR provided a description of the U.S. program designed to 
reduce emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000. The initial CAR 
incorporated much of the information contained in the first Climate 
Change Action Plan announced by President Clinton and Vice President 
Gore on October 19, 1993.
    At the Second COP, the Parties requested developed country Parties 
to the Convention to submit to the UNFCCC Secretariat, in accordance 
with Articles 12.1 and 12.2 of the Convention, a second national 
communication by April 15, 1997. Parties that submitted first reports 
in 1996 were to provide an update by the 1997 deadline and Parties with 
economies in transition were to provide their second communication by 
April 15, 1998. Developing country Parties have different guidelines 
and due dates for their national communications. The United States 
submitted its second national communication to the UNFCCC Secretariat 
in July 1997.
    At the Fifth COP, the Parties updated the guidelines for 
preparation of national communications (see FCCC/CP/1999/7). This 
document is available on the Internet at http://www.unfccc.de/resource/cop5.html. In addition, the Parties requested that third national 
communications be submitted no later than November 30, 2001.

The Third United States Climate Action Report (CAR)

    The third CAR will review key elements contained in the Climate 
Change Action Plan, including: an update on key baseline assumptions; a 
review and assessment of activities to date under the actions listed in 
the plan; and an update of the list of actions reflecting changes 
initiated by responsible agencies since the plan was first proposed in 
1993.
    In keeping with international guidelines, the third CAR will 
provide an inventory of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and sinks, 
estimate effects of mitigation measures and policies on future 
emissions levels, and describe U.S. involvement in international 
programs, including associated contributions and funding efforts.
    In addition, the text will include a discussion of U.S. national 
circumstances that affect U.S. vulnerability and responses to climate 
change. Information on the U.S. Global Change Research Program, Global 
Climate Observing Systems (GCOS), and adaptation programs will also 
presented.

[[Page 15471]]

Table of Contents of the Third US CAR

I. Executive summary
II. National circumstances
III. Greenhouse gas inventory
IV. Policies and measures
V. Projections and effects of policies and measures
VI. Vulnerability assessment, climate change impacts, and adaptation 
measures
VII. Financial resources and transfer of technology
VIII. Research and systematic observation
IX. Education, training, and public awareness

Public Input Process

    This Federal Register notice solicits contributions and comments on 
all aspects to be covered in the third US CAR and in particular, on 
issues related to non-federal, state, regional, local, and private 
sector actions to address climate change. The document will be modeled 
closely on the format of the second CAR. Comments may be submitted to 
the contact listed above.
    In addition, the U.S. will release the draft text of the Third CAR 
for review and comment in the summer of 2001. Comments on that document 
will be due within 30 days of release. Because of the tight time 
constraints on completing and printing the final text, a longer review 
period will not be possible.
    We invite input now on all aspects of the document currently under 
development, including its content, format, and graphics. Comments 
received in response to this Federal Register notice will be considered 
in the preparation of the draft of the third national communication.
    You may view the 1997 U.S. Climate Action Report on the Internet 
at: http://www.state.gov/www/global/oes/97climate_report/index.html.

    Dated: March 8, 2001.
Robert Brenner,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 01-6704 Filed 3-16-01; 8:45 am]
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