Federal Government of the United States
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020, 2021)
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
Climate Goals & Targets
Environmental Challenges
- Climate change poses a major risk to the stability of the U.S. financial system and its ability to sustain the American economy.
- Physical and transition risks may unfold in parallel, compounding the challenge.
- Climate risks may exacerbate financial system vulnerabilities unrelated to climate change.
- Insufficient data and analytical tools to measure and manage climate-related financial risks.
- Lack of common definitions and standards for climate-related data and financial products.
- Barriers holding back capital from flowing to sustainable, low-carbon activities (misperception of ESG investments, small market for green products, greenwashing, policy uncertainty).
Mitigation Strategies
- Strengthening regulators’ capabilities, expertise, data, and tools to monitor, analyze, and quantify climate risks.
- Working closely with the private sector to ensure financial institutions and market participants address climate risks.
- Policy and regulatory choices that are flexible and adaptable to new information.
- Financial innovations to help manage climate risk and channel capital into transition technologies.
- Government efforts through credit guarantees and other means to attract private capital for low-carbon investments.
- Clarifying existing regulations on fiduciary duty to confirm the appropriateness of using climate-related factors in investment decisions.
- Refinements to existing derivatives instruments to reduce risk exposure and developing new derivatives contracts to hedge climate-related risks.
- International engagement to promote cooperation.
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Sea-level rise
- Extreme weather events
- Rising temperatures
- Wildfires
- Flooding
- Droughts
- Heat stress
Transition Risks
- Changes in policy
- Technological breakthroughs
- Shifts in consumer preferences
- Stranded assets
Opportunities
- Investments in low-carbon technologies
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Climate-resilient infrastructure
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: TCFD
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:34.9 million MTCO2e (2020)
Scope 1 Emissions:8.6 million MTCO2e (2020)
Scope 2 Emissions:20 million MTCO2e (2020)
Scope 3 Emissions:14.8 million MTCO2e (2017)
Renewable Energy Share:40% of electricity generated in 2020 (national grid)
Total Energy Consumption:309 trillion Btu (2020)
Water Consumption:120 billion gallons (2020)
Waste Generated:Not disclosed
Carbon Intensity:Not disclosed
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Environmental Justice
- Workforce Development
- Sustainable Procurement
- Climate Resilience
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced GHG emissions by 32% since 2008 in Federal operations
- Achieved net-zero energy in some Federal buildings (e.g., Wayne Aspinall Federal Building)
Social Achievements
- Launched Justice40 Initiative, targeting 40% of investment benefits to disadvantaged communities
- Established White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council and Interagency Council
Governance Achievements
- Established Federal Chief Sustainability Officer Council
- Developed agency-specific climate adaptation and resilience plans
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Achieve net-zero emissions from Federal procurement by 2050
- Achieve net-zero emissions from overall Federal operations by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
- Achieve 100% ZEV acquisitions by 2035, 100% light-duty by 2027
- Achieve net-zero emissions buildings by 2045
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce building emissions by 50% by 2032
- Achieve 100% CFE by 2030, 50% 24/7
Environmental Challenges
- High GHG emissions from Federal buildings and vehicles
- Need to transition to 100% carbon pollution-free electricity
- Need to transition to 100% zero-emission vehicles
- Climate change risks to Federal infrastructure and operations
Mitigation Strategies
- Set ambitious goals for emissions reductions and net-zero emissions
- Developed plans for transitioning to CFE and ZEVs
- Developed climate adaptation and resilience plans
- Launched Buy Clean initiative for low-carbon materials
- Established partnerships with public, private, and non-profit sectors
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Buy Clean initiative
- Sustainable products policy
- Requirement for major Federal suppliers to disclose GHG emissions and set reduction targets
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
- Sea level rise
Transition Risks
- Supply chain disruptions
- Economic shifts
Opportunities
- Growth of clean energy industries
- Creation of well-paying union jobs
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Null
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed