Following Washington stand on sustainability outlined in the COP26, U.N. Climate Change Conference President Joe Biden has signed an executive order requiring the federal government procurement to become Net-zero by year 2050. Federal Sustainability Plan has been launched to achieve the mission, by making necessary changes in operations and procurement in line with the carbon-neutral policies. Executive order is in line with President Bidens commitment to reduce U.S. emissions by strengthening global partnerships, Implementing Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Build Back Better Act
As a result of this executive order, the federal government will transform its portfolio of building and fleet of vehicles towards zero emission, leading to transformation of 300,000 buildings and a fleet of cars and trucks, counting 600,000 in numbers. The Federal Government annual purchasing power of $650 billion will be used for procuring goods and services, which meets the sustainability criteria.
Through the Federal Sustainability Plan, The Government will focus on achieving five ambitious goals related to acquisition of zero-emission vehicle, generation of electricity free of carbon pollution, net-zero emissions buildings, Buy Clean policies, and making overall federal operations net-zero emissions along with bolstering climate resilience and advancing equity as well as environmental justice.
Federal sustainability plan is also linked with implementation of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law focussing on resilience, ensuring clean energy, and prioritisation of the Justice40 Initiative which is directed for allocating and delivering 40% of overall benefits, arising from climate investments to disadvantaged communities consisting of communities of color and low-income communities.
President Biden Government is focussing on developing action plan for reduction of U.S. Methane Emissions, development of Scorecard for Justice40 initiative, and deeper collaboration within various Government agencies in the areas of setting vehicle emissions standards, clean energy deployment & fuel efficiency.
Under the executive order, federal government will use scale and procurement power for achieving 100 % carbon pollution-free electricity by 2030, acquisition of 100 % zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) by 2035, Net-zero emissions from federal procurement by 2050, building portfolio to have Net-zero emission by 2045, Federal Operations to have Net-zero emission by 2045. The order will promote usage of construction materials which have lower emissions.
The United States and several other countries are seeking to accelerate climate globally through the Greening Government Initiative (GGI). Earlier 39 countries have already joined the GGI Initiative. List includes Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan and many others. The executive order directing the carbon free procurement is setting the tone for future. The goods and material Industry has to significantly transform itself to meet the procurement criteria. Prioritizing the purchase of sustainable products will not only boost the American industrial capacity but will focus on growing jobs for American workers.
Bureau Galactik Views