“Through these actions, the federal government will provide a large and stable signal to the market for sustainable and low-carbon goods made in America, advancing America’s industrial capacity to supply the goods and materials of the future while growing good jobs for American workers,” the fact sheet says. (Photo: Audley C Bullock / Shutterstock) Image: Audley C Bullock/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffPresident Biden has issued an executive order setting clean energy and other environmental goals for federal vehicles and buildings and in procurement, the latest in a series of orders and budgetary proposals toward that end.
“By transforming how the federal government builds, buys, and manages its assets and operations, the federal government will support the growth of America’s clean energy and clean technology industries, while accelerating America’s progress toward achieving a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035,” a White House summary says.
Energy use goals include: achieving 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity use in buildings by 2030 from sources such as solar and wind power; transitioning to 100 percent acquisition of zero-emission vehicles by 2035 for the federal vehicle fleet, including 100 percent light duty vehicle acquisition by 2027; and modernizing federal buildings to reach net-zero emissions by 2045, including a 50 percent reduction in building emissions by 2032.
Procurement-related goals include: achieving net-zero emissions from federal procurement no later than 2050, including a policy to promote use of construction materials with lower embodied emissions; achieving net-zero emissions from overall federal operations by 2050, including a 65 percent emissions reduction by 2030; making agencies more resilient to the impacts of climate change; prioritizing the purchase of sustainable products; and increasing sustainability in federal supply chains.
“Through these actions, the federal government will provide a large and stable signal to the market for sustainable and low-carbon goods made in America, advancing America’s industrial capacity to supply the goods and materials of the future while growing good jobs for American workers,” the fact sheet says.
It adds: “The federal government’s 4.2 million employees are critical stakeholders and leaders in the shift to sustainable and resilient operations. The federal government will build capacity through engagement, education, and training so that federal workers are ready to embed sustainability, climate adaptation, and environmental stewardship analysis and action in their jobs.”
A new Chief Sustainability Officer Council is to oversee the initiative; also to begin is a Presidential Sustainability Executives Program, placing into federal agencies senior leaders from the private and nonprofit sectors with relevant expertise.
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