Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade
Federal Agencies Required to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions
What it does
Agencies must set and submit agency-wide scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas reduction targets and implement sustainability plans to meet reductions by fiscal year 2025.
Real-world impact
- Changes federal purchasing to account for supplier emissions and evaluation criteria.
- Requires energy, water, and waste reductions in federal buildings and facilities.
- Mandates senior sustainability officers and annual agency sustainability plans and reporting.
Topics
Summary
This order directs executive departments and agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental performance across federal operations over the next decade. Agencies must propose agency-wide targets for scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions within 90 days and aim to cut direct emissions substantially by fiscal year 2025.
It sets specific goals for buildings, energy, water, fleets, and procurement—like annual building energy reductions, rising clean energy shares, water use cuts, and electric vehicle acquisition targets—and requires annual sustainability plans, senior sustainability officers, and OMB/CEQ oversight.
Questions, answered
Ask questions about this executive order and its implications. Try:
- “What agencies are affected by this order?”
- “How does this order change existing policy?”
- “What are the practical implications of this order?”