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EO 13693Executive OrderObama · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 13693

Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade

Energy & EnvironmentEnergy & EnvironmentFederal WorkforceFederal WorkforceEconomy & LaborEconomy & LaborDefense & SecurityDefense & Security

In simple terms

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

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 80 FR 15871

    Federal Register PDF

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

  4. 20% zero-emission or plug-in hybrid new passenger vehicle acquisitions

  5. Advanced energy meters installed in all data centers

  6. Agency fleet telematics deployment for new vehicle acquisitions

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

  8. EPA and GSA regional offices convene regional interagency workgroups

  9. OPM consider sustainability occupational series and initiate training inclusion

  10. CEQ prepare and issue revised Guiding Principles

  11. CEQ prepare and issue guidance for section 13 implementation

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

  13. First Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans due

  14. CEQ issue implementing instructions

  15. Agencies designate Chief Sustainability Officers

  16. 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

Prior policy

  • revokeExecutive Order 13423 of January 24, 2007
  • revokeExecutive Order 13514 of October 5, 2009
  • revokePresidential Memorandum of December 2, 2011 (Implementation of Energy Savings Projects and Performance-Based Contracting for Energy Savings)
  • revokesection 1 of Presidential Memorandum of February 21, 2012 (Driving Innovation and Creating Jobs in Rural America through Biobased and Sustainable Product Procurement)
  • revokePresidential Memorandum of December 5, 2013 (Federal Leadership on Energy Management)
  • revokePresidential Memorandum of May 24, 2011 (Federal Fleet Performance)
  • amendSection 3(b)(vi) of Executive Order 13327 of February 4, 2004
  • amendSection 2(d) of Executive Order 13432 of May 14, 2007
  • amendSection 5 of Executive Order 13653 of November 1, 2013
  • amendSection 1 of Executive Order 13677 of September 23, 2014

Related orders

What to expect

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