The candidates seem to have a ‘plan’ for everything. What might their climate change action plan include? Check out our seven benchmarks for a Presidential Leadership Agenda on climate change:

1. Legislation for economy-wide emissions reductions.
2. Aggressive R&D for low-carbon technology.
3. Federal planning for climate change impacts and response.
4. Picking the right team to carry the initiative.
5. Cooperation with international partners.
6. Reallocation of budget priorities.
7. Enable/encourage citizens to take conservation into their own hands.

Governor Bill Richardson

How do Richardson's climate change quotes relate to our seven benchmarks?

1. Legislation for economy-wide emissions reductions:
Cap and Trade/ 90% by 2050 - “You do it by mandates, by cap and trade…you say that we are going to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by the year 2020 and then eventually 90% by the year 2050.”Listen to the audio

“The congress, some months ago they passed legislation for 35 miles per gallon fuel efficiency. You know what that is? That is pathetic. It should be 50."Watch the video

“We should be talking about 30% renewable energy standards. 30% of our energy renewable by the year 2020 wind, solar and biomass. We are doing that in my state.” watch the video

2. Aggressive R&D for low-carbon energy technology:
“I would establish a national energy innovation trust fund to provide needed research and technology support.” Watch the video

“I am big on giving incentives to do the right thing, green buildings, solar panels.” Watch the video

3. Federal planning for climate change impacts and response:
"I would do an executive order for all executive agencies…to use the best practices to reduce green house gasses."

“I am a very strong advocate of light rail and bullet trains. I would shift the annual or bi-annual highway bill that is presented to congress and say that we have not talked about land use policies about smart growth.” Watch the video

4. Picking the right team to carry the initiative:
“As president I would have a cabinet level secretary to deal with global climate change. It should be at the highest level. In a bureaucracy that is important. When you elevate an issue within a bureaucracy, you give it strength and give it a title that sends an international message.” Listen to the audio

“I would set up, if I could, a cabinet level secretary of global warming. I think that I could do that by executive order.” Listen to the audio

5. Cooperation with international partners:
“What I would do my first week as president is to reconvene a summit of the European Union, the leadership of Germany, China, India, developing countries and say; we are going to have a new Kyoto Treaty.” Listen to the audio (25 mins into the program)

“My Administration will work with allies, the European Union, and international finance agencies such as the World Bank to provide financing for developing nations to adopt carbon-clean options, such as renewables and gasification of coal” Read the transcript

6. Reallocation of budget priorities:
“Here is what my relationship will be with the energy sector. The first thing that I would do, is I would take away the subsidies for oil, coal, and nuclear. I’d make no bones that I think the future is in renewables and renewable fuels, so I would switch those (subsidies) directly.” Listen to the audio

7. Enable/encourage citizens to take efficiency and conservation into their own hands:
“I believe you can only do this with a massive citizen support program, a massive effort that involves the president asking the people of this country to conserve and to sacrifice. It’s not just legislation.”Watch the video

“I will enhance incentives for homeowners and businesses to retrofit existing structures by installing solar hot water and space heating systems, adding insulation and sealing the building envelope. Similar incentives for conserving electricity and natural gas will be offered by utilities under the efficiency measures in our electric and natural gas policies.” Read the transcript

"I will create code requirements, fashioned to regions of the country, to require all new construction to be 50 percent more energy efficient by 2030. I will also work closely with the building trades and state-level construction regulators on this program.” Read the transcript

“You have to include affordable housing in this (promoting renewable energy). You can’t just have rich people who can pay…you have to get it in neighborhoods...you’ve got to connect with the middle class and make this accessible to everybody.” Watch the video

“My consultants tell me not to use this word, but I will: Sacrifice. All Americans will need to be involved”

Nothing in Promises, Commitments & Priorities: Seeking a Presidential Leadership Agenda is meant to imply an endorsement of any candidate or political party.