{mosads}She said the biennial report will provide a “benchmark” to other countries and help provide accountability on greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
Efforts to ensure that other nations – including China – carry through on emissions pledges are among the topics in the fractious United Nations climate talks, which are aimed at reaching a binding global pact in 2015 that would go into effect in 2020.
The U.S., through the U.N. process, has pledged to cut its greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050.
Zichal mentioned the report in broader remarks at a Bipartisan Policy Center forum.
Her appearance is part of an aggressive Obama administration PR push on the White House climate change plan, and especially carbon emissions standards for power plants.
The plan also calls for various stepped-up international efforts through trade and development policy, the multilateral Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate and elsewhere.
Zichal also cited recent international pledges to cut use of hydrofluorocarbons, which are potent greenhouse gases used in air conditioning, refrigeration and other applications.
“The world looks to the United States for leadership on climate change, and we feel we must deliver both at home and abroad,” Zichal said.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy on Wednesday began a three-state tour to tout the White House climate plan.
The EPA unveiled proposed standards for future power plants last week, and more far-reaching rules for existing plants are slated to be proposed next year.
Zichal sought to make the case for new U.S. actions on climate change. “Now more than ever, the evidence is clear, the debate on science is over,” she said.