Energy, Environment, & Fleet (EEF) Program Service
Climate Adaptation
Climate change is driving widespread changes to both natural and human systems. With a broad mission and geographical distribution of facilities, VA recognizes that climate change will impact agency services, operations, programs, and assets.
VA’s 2021 Climate Action Plan (CAP) outlines VA’s response to the projected impacts of climate change to the department with the goal of ensuring sustained operations to support the uninterrupted delivery of benefits and services and VA’s “Fourth Mission.”
VA’s CAP was developed in response to the requirements in section 211 of Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis At Home and Abroad, signed January 27, 2021, which places greater emphasis on taking a government-wide approach to the climate crisis.
The CAP draws on VA’s ongoing efforts and establishes a pathway for expanding climate adaptation and resilience opportunities across all agency missions and roles. The plan focuses on VA’s physical infrastructure, resources, supply chain and the effects of climate change on the health of VA employees and the Veterans its serves.
In May 2022, VA stood up a senior-level Sustainability Task Force, chaired by VA’s Chief Sustainability Officer, to provide comprehensive oversight and leadership on sustainability and climate issues at VA.
VA’s progress on preparing for climate change
In the year since the publication of VA’s 2021 Climate Action Plan, VA has made substantial progress preparing the agency for the impacts of climate change. Organizations across VA are taking action, including issuing building design requirements and sustainable building certification standards, evaluating climate financial risk exposures and conducting outreach and climate education efforts for VA’s workforce.
Read VA’s 2022 Climate Adaptation Plan Progress Report, signed by VA Secretary McDonough, and the White House Fact Sheet, for more information about VA and government-wide climate adaptation actions.
Visit the White House Sustainability website for additional information on Federal agency plans.
Access VA’s 2014 Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
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