Net-Zero Emissions Operations by 2050, including a 65% reduction by 2030
President Biden's Executive Order 14057 on catalyzing American clean energy industries and jobs through Federal sustainability and accompanying Federal Sustainability Plan (collectively referred to as "The Federal Sustainability Plan") outlines an ambitious path to achieve net-zero emissions across Federal operations by 2050. To achieve this goal, the Federal Government will transition its infrastructure to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and buildings, powered by carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE). It also will transform its operations to develop a net-zero supply chain, require Federal agencies to set goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and partner with leading domestic and international organizations to accelerate progress. By leveraging its power of procurement, the Federal Government will accelerate the country's transition to a clean energy economy and create well-paying union jobs during the process.
Key Actions
The Federal Government will execute a whole-of-government approach to increase use, production, and facilitation of carbon pollution-free electricity and storage to achieve this goal.
Each Federal agency will acquire ZEVs in all vehicle classes as vehicles come to market. Each Federal agency will acquire ZEVs for 100 percent of all light-duty vehicles by 2027 and all medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2035. Federal agencies will achieve the path to the acquisition targets through planning, coordination, and collaboration, informed by agency mission, ZEV model availability, and funding.
The Federal Government will work across its portfolio of owned and leased buildings to increase water and energy efficiency; reduce waste; drive decarbonization of Federal buildings; and achieve net-zero emissions across the Federal portfolio of buildings, campuses, and installations by 2045.
In order to achieve net-zero procurement by 2050, while increasing the sustainability of Federal supply chains, the Federal Government will leverage the power of its procurement to catalyze action by Federal suppliers. These supply chain initiatives include major contractor GHG emission disclosures paired with science-based targets, a "buy clean" initiative for low-carbon materials, and a sustainable products policy.
The Federal Government cannot achieve its net-zero emissions goal by working alone. We will engage with domestic and international leaders to learn best practices for addressing more challenging or complex emissions reduction opportunities. We will place senior leaders from the private and non-proft sectors into limited-term appointments to bring innovative perspectives and expertise to assist Federal agencies with sustainability and climate preparedness eforts. We have also launched the frst-ever Greening Government Initiative, through which the United States and Canada are convening countries from around the world who are interested in greening their national government operations.
Council on Environmental Quality730 Jackson Place N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20503