The Center for Climate Strategies, a nonpartisan, nonprofit group, estimates the net national economic benefit of greenhouse gas reduction plans to be a net savings of $535.5 billiion through 2020, based on the 20 states that have completed comprehensive, multi-sector greenhouse gas reduction plans.

While results fromindividual states, economic sectors, and policies vary; all indicate a consistent patternfor cost effective achievement of near term and mid-term greenhouse gas emissionsreduction targets at science based levels (1990 levels or below by 2020).

Preliminarynational projections of this data suggest a net savings of $20.8 billion in 2012 and $85billion in 2020, and from 2009 to 2020 cumulative savings of $535.5 billion is possiblethrough implementing a climate plan involving all U.S. states and economic sectors.

This savings estimate does not include the potential for additional co-benefits suchas energy independence, health and environmental protection. Economic benefits wouldbegin accruing as soon as actions are implemented.

Macro-economic analysis of a sample ofstate climate action plans indicates that sector-based climate mitigation actions have thepotential to immediately expand employment, income and investment, thus contributing tonational economic recovery.

A copy of "Climate Change Policy As Economic Stimulus: Evidence and Opportunities from the states," is available online.

12/5/2008