• By Bsrat Mezghebe
• December 20, 2021

Catalyzing America’s Clean Energy Economy Through Federal Sustainability

On December 8, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order that directs the federal government to use its scale and procurement power to support the growth of America’s clean energy and clean technology industries, while accelerating progress toward achieving a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035.

Executive Order 14057: Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability and its accompanying Federal Sustainability Plan set out a comprehensive approach for the federal government to address the climate crisis in a way that creates well-paying jobs, fosters healthy and resilient communities, and makes the country more economically competitive. The executive order directs federal agencies to achieve these five goals:

• 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity by 2030, at least half of which will be locally supplied clean energy to meet 24/7 demand.
• 100 percent zero-emission vehicle acquisitions by 2035, including 100 percent zero-emission light-duty vehicle acquisitions by 2027.
• Net-zero emissions from federal procurement no later than 2050, including a Buy Clean policy to promote use of construction materials with lower embodied emissions.
• A net-zero emissions building portfolio by 2045, including a 50 percent emissions reduction by 2032.
• Net-zero emissions from overall federal operations by 2050, including a 65 percent emissions reduction by 2030.

NCPC is committed to helping the administration achieve its goals through the agency’s procurement and operations. NCPC will also use its role in reviewing federal plans and projects and monitoring capital investment by other agencies to encourage federal agencies to support these goals. In October 2021, as directed by Executive Order 14008, NCPC released its Climate Action Plan, which identifies how climate change may impact the agency’s work and highlights opportunities to incorporate adaptation and resilience planning. NCPC will continue to prioritize sustainability and climate change adaptation in its work to help advance the federal government’s efforts.

EO 14057 White House Fact Sheet Federal Sustainability Plan NCPC Climate Action Plan