standards. We also judge that the United States could benefit from a federally supported, high profile, single organizational contact and structure for greenhouse gas management and information, which would include informational, advisory, standard setting, assessment, and research functions.

Recommendation 7:

The nation should establish a federally supported system for greenhouse gas monitoring, reporting, verification, and management that builds on existing expertise in the EPA and the DOE but could have some independence. The system should include the establishment of a unified (or regionally and nationally harmonized) greenhouse gas emission accounting protocol and registry. Such an information system should be supported and verified through high quality scientific research and monitoring systems and designed to support evaluations of policies implemented to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Recommendation 8:

The federal government should review and promote credible and easily understood standards and labels for energy efficiency and carbon/greenhouse gas information that build public trust, enable effective consumer choice, identify business best practices, and can adapt to new science and new emission reduction goals as needed. The federal government should also consider the establishment of a carbon or greenhouse gas advisory service targeted at the public and small and medium enterprises. Core functions could include information provision, assessment of user needs and national progress in limiting emissions, carbon auditing guidelines and reporting standards, carbon calculators, and support for research.