Analysts offer greenhouse emission plan

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The United States could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 28 percent without requiring major changes in consumer lifestyles, a new report said.

Energy experts from the consulting firm McKinsey & Company said many of the steps would pay for themselves in lower energy bills, The New York Times said Friday.

The report said the country was brimming with opportunities for potential changes in lighting, heating and cooling of buildings that would reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels even as they save money, the newspaper said.

"These types of savings have been around for 20 years," said study director Jack Stephenson.

However, Stephenson warned that private sector innovation and policy support will be necessary to unlock the opportunities.

"Without forceful and coordinated action it is unlikely that even the most economically beneficial options would realize their full potential," McKinsey Director Ken Ostrowski said in a statement.

Analysts focused on options likely to yield greenhouse gas reductions at a cost of less than $50 per ton of carbon dioxide emissions.