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The Sustainability Program Area includes the latest guidance, examples, and information resources to aid Federal facilities in developing and maintaining sustainable facilities and helping to develop and promote sustainable practices within their environmental programs or activities.
E.O. 13834, Efficient Federal Operations, Section 4(a) continues the operation of The Federal Interagency Sustainability Steering Committee as chaired by the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer and composed of Agency Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs). The Steering Committee advises the Chairman of CEQ and Director of OMB on effectiveness of E.O. 13834 goals, provides input on implementation, and shares information regarding implementation practices and accomplishments with senior managers across the Federal community.
The requirement for Agency compliance or conformance with EO 13834 and it's implementing instructions depends on whether an Agency is a "Principle" or a "Contributing" Agency.
Principal agencies include agencies subject to the Chief Financial Officers Act (Pub. L. No. 101-
576) and the OMB scorecard process referenced in Section 5(b) of E.O. 13834. They include:
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Defense (DOD)
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- Department of Education
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Department of the Interior
- Department of Justice
- Department of Labor
- Department of State
- Department of Transportation Department of the Treasury
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- General Services Administration (GSA)
- National Archives and Records Administration
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Office of Personnel Management
- Smithsonian Institution
- Social Security Administration
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Additionally, the U.S. Postal Service is subject to many of the statutory requirements covered by
E.O. 13834. It receives an OMB scorecard, and functions like a principal agency.
All other executive agencies, including Federal Boards, Commissions, and Committees, are considered contributing agencies. These agencies generally have smaller operational footprints and may not manage facilities or vehicle fleets, and therefore have lesser reporting requirements than principal agencies.
The Implementing Instructions for EO 13834, issued April 2019 provides instructions to Federal agencies regarding the implementation of EO 13834 including agency planning, reporting requirements, and accountability. Note that in these implementing instructions, the terms "must" and "shall" convey statutory or regulatory requirements; "instruct" conveys directions to implement EO 13834; "should" or "may" convey recommended best practices for efficient and effective implementation (Section 1, para B.)
Principal agencies are instructed to develop and submit an annual Sustainability Plan that summarizes actions implemented to meet the goals of E.O. 13834, progress results, cost savings, and the agency's strategies for continued progress and performance improvements. Agencies will also identify yearly progress milestones in their Sustainability Plans, as indicated in the Implementing Instructions for EO 13834, as well as factors that have a material impact on agency implementation and progress, such as mission requirements or other organizational changes. The overarching progress milestones are also found in the Introductory portions of the following Program Areas
Contributing agencies are encouraged to develop and submit an annual Sustainability Plan, and may choose to submit an abbreviated plan, at their discretion, addressing those elements specific to agency operations.
CEQ will issue annual instructions and a template for the Sustainability Plan, which will be due to CEQ and OMB by June 30 of each year, unless otherwise specified. After CEQ review and OMB approval, CEQ will make plans publicly available through www.sustainability.gov.
Links to statutory requirements, reporting mechanisms, and additional CEQ guidance is provided below. Please use the links to quickly jump to the information area needed or scroll down to view all items.
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Efficient Federal Operations
17 May 2018
It is the policy of the United States that agencies shall meet such statutory requirements in a manner that increases efficiency, optimizes performance, eliminates unnecessary use of resources, and protects the environment. In implementing this policy, each agency shall prioritize actions that reduce waste, cut costs, enhance the resilience of Federal infrastructure and operations, and enable more effective accomplishment of its mission. This EO rescinds EO 13693.
These instructions, dated 10 June 2015, provide Federal Executive departments and agencies with clarifying instructions for implementing EO 13693.
These instructions issued by the Chairman of the CEQ to Federal agencies for meeting energy and environmental performance requirements in a manner that increases efficiency, optimizes performance, eliminates unnecessary use of resources, and protects the environment, as required under E.O. 13834.
This CEQ website links to relevant U.S. codes, public laws, guidance, and resources to assist agencies in implementing E.O. 13834.
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Identifies 15 principles which reflect the first global consensus on forests. It is Annex 3 of the Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3 – 14 June 1992.
This core set of 58 indicators and methodology were derived from working list of 134 indicators and related methodology sheets that were developed, improved and tested as part of the implementation of the Work Programme on Indicators of Sustainable Development (ISDs) adopted by the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) at its Third Session in April 1995 and presented to the CSD in 2001. These indicators are under review with an updated expected in 2006.
Identified 27 principles of sustainability. It is Annex 1 of the Report of the United Nations Conference on Environmenta and Development (Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992).
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To assist agencies with the transition between the 2008 Guiding Principles and the updated 2016 Guiding Principles, the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) developed a crosswalk guidance document to explain and highlight the differences between the 2016 and 2008 versions of the Guiding Principles for existing buildings. The crosswalk is based on the evaluation criteria included in the Guiding Principles compliance document and provide an overall comparison of the major scoring and applicability changes between the two versions. It walks through each of the 2016 Guiding Principles and highlight major changes or significant new requirements.
To assist agencies with the transition between the 2008 Guiding Principles and the updated 2016 Guiding Principles, the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) developed a crosswalk guidance document to explain and highlight the differences between the 2016 and 2008 versions of the Guiding Principles for new construction and modernization. The crosswalk is based on the evaluation criteria included in the Guiding Principles compliance document and provide an overall comparison of the major scoring and applicability changes between the two versions. It walks through each of the 2016 Guiding Principles and highlight major changes or significant new requirements.
Dated February 2016, this document updates and replaces the December 2008 Guiding Principles to:
1) Reflect the evolution of sustainable building design, construction, and operating practices since 2008,
2) Incorporate other building-related E.O. 13693 requirements,
3) Increase the economic and environmental benefits of Federal investments in facilities,
4) Enhance occupant health, wellness, and productivity,
5) Include climate resilience in building design, construction, and operations, and protect Federal facilities investments from the potential impacts of climate change, and
6) Provide information on tracking agency green building performance.
Description: This document is a companion to the revised "2016 Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings" and metrics for agencies to use to evaluate compliance with the Guiding Principles.
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To assist agencies with the transition between the 2008 Guiding Principles and the updated 2016 Guiding Principles, the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) developed a crosswalk guidance document to explain and highlight the differences between the 2016 and 2008 versions of the Guiding Principles for existing buildings. The crosswalk is based on the evaluation criteria included in the Guiding Principles compliance document and provide an overall comparison of the major scoring and applicability changes between the two versions. It walks through each of the 2016 Guiding Principles and highlight major changes or significant new requirements.
To assist agencies with the transition between the 2008 Guiding Principles and the updated 2016 Guiding Principles, the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) developed a crosswalk guidance document to explain and highlight the differences between the 2016 and 2008 versions of the Guiding Principles for new construction and modernization. The crosswalk is based on the evaluation criteria included in the Guiding Principles compliance document and provide an overall comparison of the major scoring and applicability changes between the two versions. It walks through each of the 2016 Guiding Principles and highlight major changes or significant new requirements.
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A monthly newsletter from the US EPA with information about activities and events that everyone can use to make a difference in their homes, communities, and offices.
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The FEMP site offers complete annual data sets of agency aggregated annual energy and water consumption and costs by end-use sector, efficiency investment information, and progress toward key goals outlined in the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, as amended; Energy Policy Act of 2005; and Executive Order 13514. Historical data tables of agency energy use and costs by facility and mobility sectors by energy type are also available for FY 1975 through FY 2013. Detailed annual comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories by federal agency are presented along with progress toward achieving scope 1 and 2 GHG and scope 3 GHG reduction targets. The data tables may also be filtered by numerous variables (agency, year, sector) and are exportable to Excel.
Sample of a Green Meetings and Conferences Policy including sample checklists for hosting a green conference or meeting, statement of work language, after-event questionnaire, event signage, documentation requirements, solicitation provisions, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.
Fostering Sustainable Behavior is a resource that includes case studies in the areas of conservation, energy efficiency, transportation, waste reduction, and water efficiency. The full text of Fostering Sustainable Behavior is also available on the sight. Author and site manager, Doug McKenzie-Mohr has presented on the same topic at GovEnergy. The site also includes discussion forums on how to encourage change toward more sustainable behaviors.
This is an online resource to help the commercial building sector implement "green leases"-rental agreements that encourage energy efficiency. The library include sample lease language, guidance, and best practices case studies.
The Zero Waste Connection is a professional social network of zero waste program managers and staff from federal, state, and local programs, as well as independent experts. The site also contains an information clearinghouse of resources to support programs and manage all of the information shared through the site. The Zero Waste Connection is brought to you by the Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA). NEWMOA is a member of the Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx), a consortium of eight regional pollution prevention information centers dedicated to improving the dissemination of P2 and waste reduction information in the service provider community, and funded in part through grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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Technical report released March, 2011, by the Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Installations, addressing direct measurement of sustainability through sustainability indicators. Presented by Dr. Chris Rewerts, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at the 2011 GreenGov Symposium.
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The Alliance is a stakeholder-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the efficient and sustainable use of water. The Alliance creates and maintains a web-based water conservation clearinghouse that offers product information, best practices specifications, research reports, training materials, program descriptions, codes and standards, program evaluation tools, drought planning and response, and professional expertise.
The AIA COTE annually selects its "Top Ten" examples of architectural and "green" design solutions that protect and enhance the environment.
The BMRA is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to facilitate building deconstruction and the reuse/recycling of recovered building materials.
CSE is an international advisory, coaching, and training organization that provides sustainable development tools and strategies to public and private sector clients.
When the United National Forum on Forests was formed in 2 002, this group was also formed to cooperate on forest issues and support the work of the UNFF. This is an interagency partnership to support the work of the UNFF and enhance cooperation and coordination on forest issues for the promotion of sustainable management of all types of forests.
The CHP Partnership collaborates with other government and nongovernmental agencies and programs that are interested in promoting the benefits of combined heat and power (CHP) for Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs). CHP is a reliable, cost-effective option for POTWs that have, or are planning to install, anaerobic digesters. Biogas flow from these digesters can be used in a CHP system as "free" fuel to generate reliable electricity and power for the WWTF.
The goals of the Diesel Technology Forum are:
· Champion environmental stewardship.
· Support scientific inquiry and discussion.
· Sustain worldwide economic growth by demonstrating advancing diesel technology.
· Work with federal, state, and regional governments and organizations to explore clean diesel solutions.
· Advise policymakers and other stakeholders on innovative ways to increase the use of cleaner engines and fuels and reduce energy consumption.
· Undertake technology demonstration programs and play a leadership role in the implementation of new diesel initiatives.
· Ensure that all environmental, health, economic and technological ramifications of policy options are explored publicly
This program promotes the use of integrated, whole building approaches to protect occupant health while saving energy and money. The program focuses on major building types including offices and institutional buildings, schools, homes, as well as major cross-cutting indoor air quality issues like mold and moisture. EPA offers resources from informational pamphlets to interactive CD-ROMs on how everyone from builders to homeowners can improve their indoor environment.
This entity has been developed as a "cloud institute" - a tool to be used to implement the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act. This site seeks to establish a communications tool through the forum, a link to existing knowledge portals and state-of-the-art facilities operations and management processes and publications, while housing the web-tool that will be used for reporting status of complying with the Act.
Established in 2003, the network aims to accelerate the use of the Ecological Footprint Tool, a resource accounting tool that measures how much nature we have, how much we use, and who uses what.Ecological Footprints can be calculated for individuals, groups of people (such as a nation), and activities (such as manufacturing a product). The Ecological Footprint is a data-driven metric that tells us how close we are to the goal of sustainable living. Footprint accounts work like bank statements, documenting whether we are living within our ecological budget or consuming nature's resources faster than the planet can renew them.
Founded by President Gorbachev, this is a national environmental organization addressing the following three challenges: stemming global climate change; eliminating weapons of mass destruction; and providing clean, safe drinking water for the 2.4 billion people who lack access to clean water.
This is a United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)-facilitated knowledge network of developing world Centres of Excellence and network partners, renowned for their work on energy, development, and environment issues.
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities' mission is to increase the awareness of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of green roof infrastructure across North America and rapidly advance the development of the market for green roof products and services.
A national network of green building professionals, environmental and health activists, socially responsible investment advocates and others who are interested in promoting healthier building materials as a means of improving public health and preserving the global environment.
ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability was founded in 1990 by local governments at the United Nations Headquarters in New York as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). ICLEI is a democratically governed membership association of cities, towns, counties, metropolitan governments, and local government associations.
This organization is the result of an initiative launched in June 1994 among non-European temperate and boreal countries to develop and implement internationally agreed criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management. The 12 member countries are: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Russian Federation, United States of America, and Uruguay The focus of the group is to advance the development and implementation of internationally agreed criteria and indicators for the conservation and sustainable management of temperate and boreal forests (outside Europe) at the national level.
Sponsored by the U.S. Army Environmental Policy Institute, the mission of Move Beyond Green is to enable conversation, connection, and exchange of ideas on the topic of sustainability and to build relationships and interaction between interested and informed parties around the world. It is their goal to connect a wide range of bodies of knowledge that can inform discussion and to provide a forum to facilitate that discussion as part of a robust community of interest around the topic of sustainability.
The mission of the NRDC is to safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC has 6 main priorities: curbing global warming; moving America beyond oil; saving wildlands across the Americas; reviving our oceans; stemming the tide of toxic chemicals; and speeding the greening of China.
This is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help communities nationwide improve access to affordable housing, increase transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment. The partnership was formed on June 16, 2009.
This council is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support and recognize purchasing leadership that accelerates the transition to a prosperous and sustainable future. The Council's programs and community of practice will help institutional purchasers to: prioritize opportunities to influence the social, environmental and economic life cycle impacts of purchased goods and services; identify existing leadership standards and approaches that address these priorities; benchmark progress toward goals; and receive recognition for advancement.
The intent of this initiative is to provide standards and guidelines for measuring the sustainability of designed landscapes, including commercial and public sites, residential landscapes, parks and recreation centers, campuses, roadsides, and utility corridors. Participating stakeholder organizations include: American Society of Landscape Architects; Lady Bird Johnson Wild Flower Center; United States Botanic Garden; American Society of Civil Engineers - Environment and Water Resources Institute; Center for Sustainable Development, University of Texas at Austin; United States Green Building Council; National Association of County and CIty Health Officials; Environmental Protection Agency - GreenScapes Program; National Recreation and Parks Association; and The Nature Conservancy - Global Invasive Species.
ISWG was established in August 2001 and is coordinated by the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Federal Energy Management Program and operates under the auspices of the Interagency Energy Management Task Force. The group includes over 200 members representing 20 major and a number of independent Federal agencies. Main ISWG functions include:
- Serving as a forum for the exchange of information among Federal agencies' sustainable design activities.
- Identifying and proposing solutions to barriers for adoption of sustainable design in the Federal sector.
The site posts bi-monthly meeting reports, presentations, a listing of pending Federal sustainable design projects (culled from the Commerce Business Daily), a listing of future events, and other informational resources.
IDRC is a Canadian public corporation created to help developing countries use science and technology to find practical, long-term solutions to the social, economic, and environmental problems they face. Support is directed toward developing an indigenous research capacity to sustain policies and technologies that developing countries need to build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies.
The IISD contributes to sustainable development by advancing policy recommendations on international trade and investment, economic policy, climate change, measurement and assessment, and natural resources management. The Institute is in the business of promoting change towards sustainable development. Through research and effective communication of IISD findings, the IISD engages decision-makers in government, business, NGOs and other sectors to develop and implement policies that are simultaneously beneficial to the global economy, the global environment and to social well-being.
This is a joint U.S. EPA - Arizona State University partnership formed to bring together researchers of various disciplines in developing the next generation of urban materials to reduce the dependence on non-renewable energy and adverse impacts to the urban climate. The center seeks to develop a new generation of sustainable materials and renewable technology innovations (SMART Innovations), with funding support from the EPA. The National Center of Excellence will be the leading national research and outreach laboratory in supporting regional governments and industry in meeting the needs of rapid urbanization and infrastructure.
Established by the UN General Assembly in December 1992 to ensure effective follow-up of United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit. The Commission is responsible for reviewing progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development; as well as providing policy guidance to follow up the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) at the local, national, regional and international levels.
Established in 2002 to provide a forum that would address all issues related to forests in a coherent and comprehensive manner and a forum that would facilitate the exchange of experiences in the implementation of sustainable forest management practices by Governments and stakeholders. UNFF meets annually for two weeks and all Member States of the United Nations and States members of specialized agencies participate in the annual sessions.
The Division for Sustainable Development provides leadership and is an authoritative source of expertise within the United Nations system on sustainable development. It promotes sustainable development as the substantive secretariat to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and through technical cooperation and capacity building at international, regional and national levels. The context for the Division's work is the implementation of Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and the Barbados Programme of Action for Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States.
UNEP is the designated authority of the United Nations system in environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.
A coalition of 175 international companies united by a shared commitment to sustainable development via the three pillars of economic growth, ecological balance and social progress.
The Zero Waste Connection is a professional social network of zero waste program managers and staff from federal, state, and local programs, as well as independent experts. The site also contains an information clearinghouse of resources to support programs and manage all of the information shared through the site. The Zero Waste Connection is brought to you by the Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA). NEWMOA is a member of the Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx), a consortium of eight regional pollution prevention information centers dedicated to improving the dissemination of P2 and waste reduction information in the service provider community, and funded in part through grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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This national competition enables college students to research, develop and design scientific, technical and policy solutions to sustainability challenges. Their designs will help achieve the mutual goals of economic prosperity while providing a higher quality of life and protecting the planet.
FGC awards are given in two categories - data driven and narrative. Data driven awards are in the wares of Waste, Electronics, and Purchasing, Water, and Transportation. Narrative Awards are given in the categories of Innovation, Education and Outreach, and Leadership.
Through the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement, EPA recognizes and supports communities that use innovative policies and strategies to strengthen their economies, provide housing and transportation choices, develop in ways that bring benefits to a wide range of residents, and protect the environment.
This award is given to recognize efforts to ensure mission accomplishment and protection of human health through implementation of environmental management systems, pollution prevention, and environmental compliance that promotes sustainability in the areas of environmental planning, waste management, and land, air and water resource protection. These are annual awards celebrating the previous years' accomplishments/innovations. Nominations are typically accepted until March and the awards given in June.
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This guide provides information about new ways to connect green infrastructure and public health as well as tools to promote that connection.
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This Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) website was developed to help agencies close gaps between potential energy savings and actual performance. Specifically, it shows agencies how to use institutional change to meet their energy- and water-reduction goals. Institutional change integrates technology, policy, and behavior to make new sustainability practices and perspectives become "business as usual" at an agency.
This report, dated April 2010, was issued by the Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration. The report presents definitions and estimates of the size of the green economy. The report also finds that the green economy makes up about 1 to 2 percent of the total economy and is poised for strong growth.
Issued by the USDA, this report addresses the state of the forests in the United States and the indicators of national progress toward the goal of sustainable forest management.
Issued June 2014 by EPA, this guide is designed to help food service establishments and commercial kitchens save money by reducing wasted food and packaging with suggested strategies, templates and case studies.
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The pre-publication copy of this report was issued in April 2011. In 2010, the U.S. General Services Administration's Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings asked the National Academies to appoint an ad hoc committee of experts to conduct a public workshop and prepare a report that identifies strategies and approaches for achieving a range of objectives associated with federal high-performance green buildings. This report captures the ideas and brain-storming from that workshop.
A collection of projects and practices which Federal agencies have implemented to achieve green building goals. Information is categorized by the headings "Policies and Strategies," Tools and Training," and "Best Practices and Case Studies." Subjects covered within these categories include, but are not limited to: water conservation, energy efficiency, metering, NetZero, lighting, green leasing, sustainable acquisition, and design.
DOT demonstrates its commitment to sustainability, in both their internal operations and their mission critical work.
Learn more about what EPA is doing and what you can do in the sustainability arena.
This site identifies opportunities for environmental stewardship for individuals, communities, governments, businesses, and institutions. It also includes quick tips for practicing environmental stewardship at your home, office, school, community, and while shopping.
This FEMP website reflects Federal energy and water consumption data and includes links to GHG inventory data, energy use and cost, water use consumption data, and Agency progress on metering goals.
This is a set of voluntary best business practices that can be used to increase healthy and safe food options for employees. The standards in the Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities are designed to achieve three primary goals: 1) Healthier foods and beverages are available and encouraged at federal facilities; 2) Environmentally responsible practices are conducted in federal food service venues; and 3) Food safety practices are followed to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses. The Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities are intended to be used by federal facilities in their food service concession and vending operations.
At GSA, sustainability is helping other federal agencies meet their missions today. This includes green procurement, fleet management, sustainable building design, construction, retrofit, and operation.
This guidance was developed under the executive order issued by President Obama in May 2009, which declared the Chesapeake Bay a national treasure and ushered in a new era of shared federal leadership, action and accountability. It presents the most effective tools and practices to address nonpoint source pollution that is currently contributing nutrients and sediments from federal land management activity in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The categories of activity that are addressed in this guidance are agriculture, urban and suburban (including turf), forestry, riparian areas, decentralized wastewater treatment systems, and hydromodification. The same techniques can be utilized by states, local governments, conservation districts, watershed organizations, developers, farmers and citizens in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Issued by GSA on 30 September 2010, this is Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 10-06. This bulletin provides guidance to federal employees of agencies subject to the FTR to enhance travel cost savings and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
This 2014 document was created to assist Post in their implementation of best practice strategies. The Guide provides both a world context for global challenges such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, as well as mission-specific tips for systems such as lighting, irrigation, and fleet management, to generate immediate results.
Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design published by the US Department of Interior and National Park Service.
The document begins with a review of LID, its purpose and methods. It also includes numerous examples of the application of LID at DOD training areas. It then devotes the majority of its pages to a set of fact sheets on such topics as "Secondary Roads", "Small Weapons Firing Ranges", "Maneuver Corridors", and "Bioretention Technology". It ends with good number of plans and drawings for the hard-corps planning/engineering staff.
Overview of the policy and program promoting sustainability at NASA.
This office coordinates policy to promote energy and environmental sustainability across Federal Government operations, which encompass more than 360,000 buildings, 660,000 vehicles, and $470 billion in purchased goods and services annually. Established in 1993, OFS is housed within the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and stewards the Interagency Steering Committee on Federal Sustainability. The Office works across Federal agencies, departments, and other White House components to ensure effective implementation and achievement of statutory requirements and Administration goals related to Federal energy and environmental performance. It also coordinates implementation of programs and initiatives to improve facility and vehicle fleet efficiency, promote adoption of efficient technologies, and modernize Federal facilities and operations.
As the largest employer in the United States, the Federal government has a unique opportunity to influence our country's ecological and financial future. OPM strives to lower our agency's impact on the environment by ensuring that we operate in an efficient manner and minimize agency greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, water use, and waste.
Since 2006, OMB has used the scorecard process to evaluate Federal agencies' performance in achieving energy, transportation, and environmental goals. To streamline the evaluation process, make it more transparent, and align it with the goals of Executive Order 13514, OMB combined past scorecard metrics into a single OMB Sustainability/ Energy scorecard. Through the OMB scorecard process, agencies are assessed on energy and water intensity reductions; fleet petroleum reduction; greenhouse gas emissions; green building practices; and, renewable energy use. Agencies are also evaluated on their progress towards implementing additional statutory or Executive Order targets and goals reflected in their annual Sustainability Plans, such as green purchasing and electronics stewardship. CEQ and OMB work with agency leadership to craft strategies for improvement and provide additional support and assistance as needed. To link to the scorecard for an individual agency, scroll to the scorecard portion of the page and click on the name of the individual agency.
Enduring, resilient facilities and operations are necessary to support CDC as it ensures the preparedness, safety, and security of staff, as well as the ability to fulfill the CDC mission. This website highlights CDCs actions and programs to support those goals.
The USDA Sustainable Operations Council leads the way in reducing the Department's environmental footprint by developing new policies and procedures that will insure that USDA conducts its activities in an environmentally, fiscally sound, and sustainable manner in accordance with Executive Order (E.O.) 13423. Sustainable Operations work groups include EMS, green purchasing, transportation, and facilities. This site links to USDA policies, award winners, and implementation examples.
Developed by the USDA National Agricultural Library, this site provides a definition for sustainable agriculture and well as links to resources, research studies, organizations, and case studies.
Policies, principles and process used in moving toward the goal of sustainability at USDA.
This is UFC 3-210-10 which was updated 1 February 2016. This UFC provides technical criteria, technical requirements, and references for the planning and design of applicable DoD projects to comply with stormwater requirements under Section 438 of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) enacted in December 2007 (hereafter referred to as EISA Section 438) and the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense DoD policy on implementation of stormwater requirements under EISA section 438.
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This May 2012 paper provides a review of decision support systems and methods used over the last 15 years and summarizes the findings from visits with eight large utilities in the U.S. to discuss how each makes rehabilitation versus replacement decisions of their water infrastructure systems.
This August 2013 EPA technical report helps utilities, state and other municipal agencies, and other stormwater professionals understand the potential benefits of low impact development and green infrastructure (LID/GI) programs. The objective of the report is to highlight different evaluation methods that have been successfully applied and also to demonstrate cases where LID/GI projects and programs have been shown to be economically beneficial. Also, the intent of this document is to promote the use of LID/GI, where appropriate, to supplement grey stormwater infrastructure. The report highlights 13 case studies of selected public entities throughout the United States that have conducted economic evaluations of their LID/GI programs. The case studies were selected to represent a variety of analysis methods in different geographic areas of the United States, for different types of municipal programs. The case studies highlight locations where LID/GI applications, in combination with grey infrastructure, were found to be economically beneficial.
Issued by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), this report, dated 1 December 2008, highlights combined heat and power (CHP) as a realistic solution to enhance national energy efficiency, ensure environmental quality, promote economic growth, and foster a robust energy infrastructure.
The intent of this site is to better communicate the what, why, and how of green infrastructure to municipalities, developers, and the general public. Green infrastructure uses vegetation, soils and natural processes to manage water and create healthier urban environments. The site offers publications and tools developed by EPA, state and local governments, the private sector, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions. The site also provides access to the latest research developed by EPA's Office of Research and Development.
EPA has developed innovative models, tools, and technologies for communities to manage urban water runoff. The models and tools in this toolkit incorporate green infrastructure practices to help communities manage their water resources in a more sustainable way, increasing resilience to future changes, such as climate and extreme events.
Issued April 2014, this EPA document is intended to aid utility leaders in implementing proven and effective practices over time to improve their operations and move toward sustainability.
This EPA report presents the opportunities for combined heat and power (CHP) applications in the municipal wastewater treatment sector, and it documents the experiences of the wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) operators who have employed CHP.
The U.S. EPA has issued a compilation of case studies, Gaining Operational and Managerial Efficiencies Through Water System Partnerships, to highlight various approaches small drinking water systems have taken to improve their technical and financial capacity by partnering with other water systems. This report presents examples of different partnership options ranging from informal arrangements, such as sharing equipment, to transferring ownership of a system through consolidation.
EPA document number EPA 841-B-09-001, December 2009, was developed by the US EPA Office of Water. This stormwater guidance document implements Section 438 of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 and EO 13514 Section 14. The document was developed in conjunction with other federal agencies and provides a step-by-step framework that will help federal agencies maintain pre-development site hydrology by retaining rainfall on-site through infiltration, evaporation/transpiration, and re-use to the same extent as occurred prior to development. The Technical Guidance provides background information, key definitions, case studies, and guidance on meeting the new requirements.
This EPA report, subtitled "A Review of Green Infrastructure O&M Practices in ARRA Clean Water State Revolving Funds Projects" examines the operation and maintenance practices of several green infrastructure projects funded by the Clean Water State Revolving Fund under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and identifies trends and common elements shared by the various projects. The report provides information to communities and operators on funding programs to help ensure that green infrastructure projects are operated and maintained to optimize long-term performance and effectiveness.
This December 2015 document summarizes results from EPA's green infrastructure technical assistance program for communities looking for solutions to their unique challenges. This quick reference guide matches problems with real world, tested solutions and offers readers resources for further information. The report also includes a handy guide to technology and a table of benefits that you can share with potential collaborators and stakeholders.
As detailed in this report, increased attention to the use of stormwater and graywater has been driven by factors forcing change in the design and management of urban water supplies and infrastructure. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Water Science and Technology Board initiated a study on the beneficial use of stormwater and graywater. A free PDF of the pre-publication version is available. This study was supported with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water and Office of Research and Development; National Science Foundation; Water Research Foundation; Water Environment Research Foundation; Los Angeles Department of Water and Power; WateReuse; City of Madison, Wisconsin; National Water Research Institute; and the National Academies' President's fund.
This is a compilation of water-efficiency best management practices, to help commercial and institutional facilities understand and better manage their water use, help facilities establish an effective water management program and identify projects and practices that can reduce facility water use.
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This EPA document, EPA-842-R-15-004, is a compendium of innovative aquatic trash management strategies. This October 2015 document is the result of a request by the stakeholders of the Mid-Atlantic Region request for EPA to create a great practices compendium to identify policies, programs, and initiatives that showed results with regard to reducing and/or preventing aquatic trash.
This EPA guide, toolkit, and technical assistance promote comprehensive, community-wide planning approaches to manage stormwater. In the future this guide will be supplemented with an integrated online tool to assist communities in implementing the planning process, piloted through community-based technical assistance efforts, and updated over time with feedback from users.
This is a checklist consisting of three sections, twenty-eight categories, one hundred and forty-two data points, all aimed at determining how your village, town or city is really doing in its efforts to be "green." It is addressing climate change, sustainability, and environmental health at the local level. The website provides ready-to-go policy solutions, program ideas and links to the most innovative, cost-effective and award-winning solutions from entities that have found their "piece of the puzzle."
The Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Campaign promotes a participatory, long-term, strategic planning process that helps municipalities identify local sustainability priorities and implement long-term action plans.
This site is designed to empower individuals and communities as they recover from hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters by providing resources and tools that can help rebuild communities, businesses, and homes using sustainable principles and technologies. Operation Fresh Start is a project of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).
Considered one of the top U.S. cities for sustainability, their website, programs, and policies.
This EPA guidebook will help rural and small water and wastewater systems assess their strengths and priorities for potential improvements, and develop an action plan to address these priorities.
This interagency guide includes a description of tools and techniques for applying smart growth guidelines, with case studies illustrating the guidelines in action. For example, communities can (1) protect and restore natural buffers between the community and water; (2) align natural hazard planning with development plans; (3) promote waterfront revitalization, including retrofitting historic properties for new uses; and (4) provide a variety of land and water-based options that accommodate seasonal fluctuations in transportation needs. This guide was developed by EPA, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the International City/County Management Association and the Rhode Island Sea Grant Program, in consultation with the national Smart Growth Network.
Developed by EPA's Development, Community, and Environment Division (DCED) , EPA Region 1's Smart Growth Program, Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO) , and the Land Revitalization Office addresses the steps, procedures, and possibilities for a successful base closure that does not devastate nearby communities.
Released by the National Research Council this 2011 report examines a wide range of reuse applications, including potable water, non-potable urban and industrial uses, irrigation, groundwater recharge, and ecological enhancement. With recent advances in technology and design, treating municipal wastewater and reusing it for drinking water, irrigation, industry, and other applications could significantly increase the nation's total available water resources, particularly in coastal areas facing water shortages, says a new report from the National Research Council. It adds that the reuse of treated wastewater, also known as reclaimed water, to augment drinking water supplies has significant potential for helping meet future needs. Moreover, new analyses suggest that the possible health risks of exposure to chemical contaminants and disease-causing microbes from wastewater reuse do not exceed, and in some cases may be significantly lower than, the risks of existing water supplies.
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This EPA tool, published September 2013, includes a menu of bid specification development tools, for use by cities, counties, land banks, and other entities engaged in residential demolition operations to yield an improved environment result. The bid specification development tools found in the appendices of this document have been designed to serve more than one purpose. They can serve as a tool to help the reader anticipate the environmental issues and concerns that may arise in connection with a demolition project so that those issues and concerns can be factored into the planning process. They can help the reader develop and organize information concerning a demolition project. They can also be used to modify existing bid specification language used by a community or to assist in creating language for new bid specifications. This specification language could then be utilized to
develop procurement language, contract language, and associated documents, as appropriate, for use in a specific bid package that would instruct contractors on the contract and on the general and the technical requirements for the demolition project.
This report, released by the National Trust's Preservation Green Lab provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of the potential environmental benefit of building reuse. The report uses a life cycle assessment approach to compare the environmental impacts from reuse of existing buildings with demolition and construction of new buildings.
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The ASCE Convention provides the opportunity for the entire Society is represented together. Topics to be covered are intended to be used to define a recurring convention program that draws attendees back each year. They are intended to provide benefits to attendees and their employers on an educational and professional level.
The water sector in the state of Victoria, Australia, contributes around 25% of the greenhouse gas emissions for which the state's Government is responsible. The state's 19 water utilities have each committed to achieving net zero emissions by or before 2050. While their primary focus is on reducing direct emissions and those associated with energy use, some utilities will need to offset unavoidable emissions associated with wastewater treatment.
This resource provides direction and guidance for land use collaboration by military installations and local governments in order to address issues of encroachment and sustainability that impact both the military and civilian communities. The 28-page primer presents information in an easy-to-understand format. It was developed by the International City/County Management Association and the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech in partnership with the Sustainable Ranges Initiative in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
In order to develop effective Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) programs, you need to understand and integrate knowledge concerning the hydrologic inputs/outputs (hydrologic cycle), the physical, socioeconomic, legal and environmental constraints, and water use associated with the water resources of interest. Most IWRM programs will benefit from the development and use of conceptual models for identifying, delineating, and linking these issues, resources and activities within the competent hydrologic unit of interest, in a more systematic and comprehendible manner. This webinar provides an idealized, conceptual model that demonstrates the linkage between the various aspects discussed above, within a "competent hydrologic unit."
This guide, officially titled Working to Preserve Farm, Forest and Ranch Lands: A Guide for Military Installations is a new resource for military installation leadership. It provides information about programs and potential partners for installations seeking to preserve farm, forest and ranch lands as compatible neighbors. The 20-page guide presents information in an easy-to-understand format and could be useful for other federal agencies that concentrate on preservation of working lands. It was developed by the American Farmland Trust in
partnership with the Sustainable Ranges Initiative in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
For additional information, see www.denix.osd.mil/SustainableRanges
Subtitled: “A Guide for Military Installations and State Legislators” this is a new primer designed to provide guidance to DoD officials and military base commanders on how state governments operate in making land use decisions that may affect the military testing and training mission. Policy options addressing encroachment concerns are included. The 24-page primer presents information in an easy-to-understand format. It was developed by the National Conference of State Legislatures in partnership with the Sustainable Ranges Initiative in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
This webcast series is for public officials and practitioners beginning to implement green infrastructure, as well as for those looking to enhance established programs. Initiated in 2014, the Series has featured leading academics and professionals from around the country sharing their expertise on a range of topics related to green infrastructure.
This presentation available will outline why federal food purchasing matters, how to include food recovery into strategic planning and food service contracts and leases, and provide examples of how federal and concessioner partnerships successfully contribute to food recovery.
A library of past Federal Green Challenge Webinars.
This course provides Federal facility managers with practical information and action-based strategies to change individual and organizational behavior in support of energy efficiency and strategic sustainability goals. While advanced technologies are increasingly effective at reducing energy and resource intensity in buildings and facilities, optimal results cannot occur unless multiple strategies are employed to change individual and organizational behavior. This course emphasizes the link between individual behavior and institutional change. It introduces the framework of "rules, roles, and tools" to guide the systematic design, development, implementation, and evaluation of multiple strategies to achieve-and maintain over the long term-individual and institutional change.
In this training, FEMP Expert Sarah Jensen provides training to optimize building technologies, avoid the costs of waste and inefficiency, and create productive, comfortable, and healthy work environments. She addresses O&M practices; the application of tools to baseline, benchmark, and audit facilities to comply with the Guiding Principles for High Performance Sustainable Existing Buildings; how to implement sustainable strategies, and engaging an organizational team.
This guide is designed to: help DoD officials and military installation commanders gain a better understanding of how land trusts operate, and how they can work together to protect military operations; and facilitate communication and potential collaboration among stakeholders on encroachment issues.
A resource guide that presents helpful information for installation leaders who seek to work with local government officials to address encroachment, compatible land use and other sustainability issues that threaten the testing and training mission. It was developed by the International City/County Management Association and the National Association of Counties in partnership with the Sustainable Ranges Initiative in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
This resource contains a series of materials and instructions to help both rural and small water and wastewater systems and service providers market and conduct workshops based on the Rural and Small Systems Guidebook to Sustainable Utility Management.
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June 2019
August 2019
September 2019
October 2019
November 2019
December 2019
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May 17, 2019
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Executive Order 13834
