OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: United States 2023
The United States, the world’s largest economy, has made progress in reducing several
environmental pressures while maintaining one of the highest Gross Domestic Products
per capita in the world. It has decoupled emissions of greenhouse gases, air pollutants,
water abstractions and domestic material consumption from economic and population
growth. However, high consumption levels, intensive agricultural practices, climate
change and urban sprawl continue to put pressure on the natural environment. Despite
the recent acceleration of action to address climate change, further efforts are needed
to achieve the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The United States
is also among the major contributors to marine litter with serious consequences for
communities and the environment. The review provides 30 recommendations to help the
United States improve its environmental performance, with a special focus on marine
litter and a cross-cutting focus on environmental justice.
This is the third Environmental Performance Review of the United States. It provides
an independent, evidence-based evaluation of the country’s environmental performance
over the past decade.
Published on June 22, 2023
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