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EO 13693Executive OrderObama · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 13693

Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade

This executive order establishes comprehensive federal sustainability goals for 2015-2025, requiring agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent, increase renewable energy use, improve water and fleet efficiency, and adopt sustainable procurement practices. It creates new oversight structures including Chief Sustainability Officers at each agency and a Federal Interagency Sustainability Steering Committee.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 15871

Impact dates

  1. New Federal buildings designed for net-zero energy, water, waste

  2. 20% zero-emission or plug-in hybrid new passenger vehicle acquisitions

  3. Advanced energy meters installed in all data centers

  4. Agency fleet telematics deployment for new vehicle acquisitions

  5. Agencies identify 15% of existing buildings for Guiding Principles compliance

  6. EPA and GSA regional offices convene regional interagency workgroups

  7. OPM consider sustainability occupational series and initiate training inclusion

  8. CEQ prepare and issue revised Guiding Principles

  9. CEQ prepare and issue guidance for section 13 implementation

  10. Agency heads propose GHG reduction targets to CEQ and OMB

  11. First Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans due

  12. CEQ issue implementing instructions

  13. Agencies designate Chief Sustainability Officers

  14. CEQ identify and publicly release inventory of major Federal suppliers

Key directives

  • Reduce agency direct greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 percent by FY2025 relative to FY2008 baseline
  • Propose percentage reduction targets for scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions within 90 days
  • Reduce building energy intensity by 2.5% annually through FY2025
  • Install advanced energy meters in all data centers by FY2018
  • Achieve 25% clean energy by FY2025, 30% renewable electric energy by FY2025
  • Reduce potable water consumption intensity by 36% by FY2025
  • Reduce fleet-wide per-mile GHG emissions 30% by FY2025
  • 20% zero-emission/plug-in hybrid new passenger vehicles by December 31, 2020; 50% by December 31, 2025
  • 50% diversion of non-hazardous solid waste and construction/demolition debris
  • $4 billion in Federal performance-based contracts by end of calendar year 2016
  • Designate Chief Sustainability Officers within 45 days
  • Develop annual Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans beginning June 2015

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Agency heads must propose GHG reduction targets within 90 days
  • CEQ must issue implementing instructions within 45 days
  • CEQ must identify major federal suppliers within 30 days
  • Agencies must designate Chief Sustainability Officers within 45 days

Near term (90d)

  • CEQ must issue revised Guiding Principles within 150 days
  • CEQ must issue section 13 guidance within 150 days
  • Regional interagency workgroups must convene within 180 days
  • OPM must consider sustainability occupational series within 180 days
  • Fleet telematics deployment required within 2 years

Long term

  • Annual building energy intensity reductions through FY2025
  • Renewable energy targets escalating to 30% by FY2025
  • Clean energy targets escalating to 25% by FY2025
  • Fleet GHG reductions of 30% by FY2025
  • 50% zero-emission/plug-in hybrid new passenger vehicle acquisitions by 2025
  • Net-zero new building design by FY2030
  • Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans required annually through FY2025

Risks & tensions

  • Baseline year variations (2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015) create administrative complexity
  • Exemption authority for national security, intelligence, and law enforcement may significantly reduce measured compliance
  • Life-cycle cost-effectiveness qualifier allows agencies to opt out of many requirements
  • Scope 3 supply chain emissions targets depend on voluntary contractor disclosure
  • FY2025 targets extend well beyond the Obama administration, creating implementation risk
  • Double credit for certain vehicle acquisitions may inflate apparent progress
  • Vague 'as soon as practicable' language in several provisions weakens enforceability
Executive Order 13693: Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade · Executive Orders