Climate change is a global problem requiring action from the entire international community. Countries from around the world are working together to share technologies, experience, resources and talent to lower net greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the threat of global climate change. The United States participates in and supports several international efforts designed to help countries to address climate change.
One important strategy for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions is developing and sharing climate-friendly technologies, commonly referred to as Technology Cooperation. These efforts can occur between nations, private entities, and organizations around the world. The United States participates in various bilateral and multilateral technology cooperation initiatives that aim to encourage the use of technologies that will reduce greenhouse gases. Through the U.S. Initiative on Joint Implementation, organizations in the United States and other countries have been encouraged to implement projects that reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions. In the past, the U.S. Countries Studies Program provided developing countries and countries with economies in transition with funding and technical assistance to support greenhouse gas inventories, mitigation assessments, vulnerability and adaptation assessments and national action plans for addressing climate change. Finally, international efforts establish guidelines for Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sinks.
As countries continue to grow and develop, international cooperation will become increasingly important as the global community searches for ways to meet the climate change challenge efficiently and effectively. The key to successful cooperation is finding activities that will help all countries achieve their economic, environmental, and developmental goals in a climate-friendly manner.