Readout of the Inaugural Meeting of the Greening Government Initiative
Today, Federal Chief Sustainability Officer (FCSO) Andrew Mayock from the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and Executive Director for Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada, Nick Xenos co-hosted the inaugural meeting for the Greening Government Initiative (GGI), a first of its kind forum for greening governmental operations. More than 55 countries from Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe participated to learn more about GGI and hear how countries are transitioning national fleets to zero emission vehicles, electrifying and enhancing the resilience of government buildings, and establishing sustainable procurement policies.
Federal Chief Sustainability Officer Mayock outlined the goals of GGI and discussed examples of topics GGI could advance before providing highlights of the forthcoming U.S. Federal Sustainability Plan. Executive Director Xenos provided more details about the activities and desired outcomes of GGI as well as sharing Canada’s Greening Government Strategy as an example.
Victoria Bittner, Project Lead of Germany’s Climate Neutral Federal Administration Coordination Unit set up at the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, described Germany’s ambitious goal to have a carbon neutral federal administration by 2030 and how they are taking an interdisciplinary approach to greening government operations through Innovation teams for developing concrete measures to support this goal. Saïd Mouline, Chief Executive Officer of the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency, outlined the Moroccan greening government program, underscoring the proactive policy for sustainable government operations supported at the highest level of the state, the important role of a dedicated agency, and shared lessons learned on financing this work. Gunilla Blomquist, Deputy Director of the Swedish Ministry of the Environment, shared the key role of both collaboration and regulation to signal leadership priority and shared specifics of their strategies to lead by example on sustainable public procurement and fossil free transportation.
FCSO Mayock concluded the meeting noting the enthusiasm of the participants and laying out next steps including asking participants to provide feedback to help shape the future direction of the Greening Government Initiative and setting a quarterly meeting schedule.
About the Greening Government Initiative
Launched by the Governments of the United States and Canada in April 2021, the Greening Government Initiative is a new initiative that enables countries to exchange information, promote innovation and share best practices in order to green government operations and help meet Paris Agreement commitments. For more information, visit www.sustainability.gov/GGI.
About the Office of the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer
The Office of the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer is part of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and is leading the development of policies, programs, and partnerships to advance sustainability and climate resilience of Federal operations.
About the U.S. Federal Government Sustainability Plan
President Biden recognizes that with a footprint of more than 300,000 buildings, over 600,000 vehicles, and $650 billion spent annually on goods and services, the U.S. Federal Government has a unique opportunity to dramatically and equitably influence the country’s climate future. That’s why he issued Executive Order 14008 during his first week of office, calling on the Federal Government to align its management of property and procurement to support robust climate action while creating new jobs and catalyzing the country’s clean energy industries. Along with agency partners, the Office of Federal Chief Sustainability Officer is leading the development of the Federal Government’s plan to create jobs and stimulate clean energy industries by revitalizing sustainability efforts, transitioning the Federal fleet to zero emission vehicles and powering Federal operations using 100 percent 24/7 carbon pollution-free electricity. The Federal Government will lead by example to help achieve a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
About the Centre for Greening Government
The Government of Canada’s Centre for Greening Government supports climate action and sustainability in government operations. The mandate of the Centre is to provide government-wide leadership toward net-zero, climate-resilient and green Government of Canada operations.
About the Centre for Greening Government’s Plan for Greening Federal Operations
The Greening Government Strategy supports the Government of Canada’s commitment for net-zero emissions by 2050 and includes an interim target of a 40 percent reduction by 2025 for Federal facilities and conventional fleet.
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