Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs Have Limited Potential

Problematic reporting and collection systems mean the programs’
accomplishments could be based on unreliable data. The EPA Office of
Inspector General (OIR) found the 11 programs it analyzed could, at
best, reduce less than 20 percent of the projected 2010 greenhouse gas
emissions (non-CO2) for their industry sectors.

The OIG report found reporting requirements and the perceived costs of
emissions reductions to be the greatest barriers to industry
participation. The majority of programs analyzed — 8 out of 11 —
showed weaknesses in data collection and reporting systems because of
limited, unverified and anonymous reporting.