International Panel Concludes U.S. has Improved Environmental Performance
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Category: AirType: News
Source: EPA
Date: Tuesday, January 10th, 2006
(Washington, D.C.-Jan. 10, 2006) The U.S. has significantly improved its environmental performance in the last 8 years even as its economy and population have grown substantially, according to a report from the Environmental Performance Review Plan of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD). The report documents that from 1996-2005, the U.S. reduced pollution during a period when there was a ten percent increase in the size of the U.S. population and a 30 percent increase in the nation's gross domestic product.
OECD's Environmental Performance Reviews Plan assists member countries in improving their environmental management performance by assessing progress, promoting a policy dialogue among member countries, and stimulating greater accountability from governments towards public opinion. This is the 2nd review of the United States, with the 1st review completed in 1996.
"Since the 1st review in 1996, the health of our shared environment and the strength of our countrywide economy have experienced dramatic improvement," said E.P.A. Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By reaffirming our commitment to innovation, accountability and sound science, we have created a solid footing to meet the environmental challenges facing the U.S. in the 21st Century."
The U.S. Ambassador to the OECD, Constance A. Morella, remarked, "This review demonstrates the commitment the U.S. maintains towards the quality of its environment and the leadership role the U.S. plays within the OECD."
The report commends the U.S. for being a pioneer in market-based solutions, innovative policies, and partnerships for an improved environment. Noting this progress, the review commends the U.S. for "decoupling" environmental pressures from economic growth and details progress in a number of key areas:
- Emissions of major air pollutants declined;
- Drinking water requirements have been strengthened;
- Overall quality of the water supplied by public systems improved;
- Extensive system of countrywide conservation areas was further expanded;
- Ecosystem management approaches have been introduced to enhance management of many sensitive areas and
- Environmental justice considerations and cooperation with tribal authorities concerning environmental conditions has increased substantially since the 1990s.
The review also includes 51 specific recommendations for the U.S. to continue its leadership in the field of environmental protection, such as expansion of the role of market-based instruments and continued promotion of environmental education and awareness, especially at state and local levels.
This U.S. review was based on a series of in excess of 700 interviews conducted by OECD's review team during a two-week visit to the U.S. in the summer of 2004. The peer review team included members from Australia, Japan, Norway, and the United Kingdom, together with OECD Secretariat staff.
OECD superseded the previous Organization for European Economic Cooperation, founded in 1948 to coordinate the post-war Marshall Project for European economic recovery. Thirty member countries work together to promote economic expansion and world trade.
To obtain a copy of the report or for additional details, contact OECD's Media Relations Division at: (news.contact@oecd.org), or call Helen Fisher at 33 one 45 24 80 97.
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