[VT – WASHINGTON, July 29, 2025] — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a new report titled A Critical Review of Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the U.S. Climate, offering a broad assessment of existing peer-reviewed scientific literature and federal data on the climate effects of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The report was developed by the DOE’s 2025 Climate Working Group, composed of five independent experts with backgrounds in climate science, economics, atmospheric physics, and environmental policy.
According to the DOE, the report aims to provide a data-driven evaluation of the conventional scientific understanding of GHG-related climate impacts in the U.S. and to support transparent discussion about climate and energy policy.
Among its findings, the report states that the economic damage associated with carbon dioxide (CO₂)-induced warming may be lower than is commonly assumed. It also suggests that U.S. policy actions to reduce emissions are projected to have a very limited direct effect on global climate patterns, with any measurable impacts potentially appearing only after long timeframes.
In a statement accompanying the release, Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized the importance of reliable energy access and the role energy systems have played in improving human well-being.
“Climate change is real, and it deserves attention,” Wright said. “But it is not the greatest threat facing humanity. As someone who values data, I know that improving the human condition depends on expanding access to reliable, affordable energy.”
The report was released in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule to repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which classified greenhouse gas emissions as a threat to public health and welfare. If finalized, the EPA proposal would represent a regulatory shift in how climate-related risks are assessed at the federal level.
The DOE noted that the report underwent internal scientific review and is now available for public comment. A formal notice will be published in the Federal Register, inviting input from stakeholders, scientists, and members of the public.
About the 2025 Climate Working Group
The DOE’s 2025 Climate Working Group consists of:
- Dr. John Christy, atmospheric scientist and state climatologist for Alabama, known for satellite temperature datasets;
- Dr. Judith Curry, climate scientist and former department chair at Georgia Tech, with extensive research on climate variability and uncertainty;
- Dr. Steven E. Koonin, theoretical physicist and former DOE Under Secretary for Science, author of Unsettled;
- Dr. Ross McKitrick, environmental economist from the University of Guelph, focusing on climate modeling and policy evaluation;
- Dr. Roy Spencer, principal research scientist at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, specializing in satellite-based climate measurements.
