Department of Health & Human Services
Note: On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued a memorandum instituting a regulatory freeze, preventing agencies from issuing proposals or rules pending review by Trump-appointed agency heads. On January 31, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14192, directing agencies to identify 10 existing regulations to eliminate for each new regulation they promulgate.
Adaptation Plans
On January 27, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14008 (Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad). This executive order signaled that climate change would be a priority in policy-making across the federal government, established a number of new offices, and instructed agency heads to take steps toward developing climate policies. Section 211 of the Executive Order directed each agency to develop a draft action plan that describes steps the agency can take with regard to its facilities and operations to bolster adaptation and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change.
On June 20, 2024, federal agencies released updated Climate Adaptation Plans that expanded agency efforts to ensure their facilities, employees, resources, and operations are increasingly resilient to climate change impacts. In the new plans, including the 2024-2027 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Climate Adaptation Plan agencies for the first time responded to a common set of progress indicators for climate resilience.
Biden Administration (2021-2025)
2024-2027 Climate Adaptation Plan
On June 20, 2024, federal agencies released updated Climate Adaptation Plans that expanded agency efforts to ensure their facilities, employees, resources, and operations are increasingly resilient to climate change impacts. In the new plans, including the 2024-2027 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Climate Adaptation Plan agencies for the first time responded to a common set of progress indicators for climate resilience.
2022 Climate Adaptation Progress Update
In October of 2022, HHS released a 2022 Climate Adaptation Progress Report, which outlined the steps HHS had taken to implement the 2021 Climate Action Plan.
HHS 2021 Climate Action Plan
On October 7, 2021, twenty-three federal agencies released plans detailing how they would adapt to climate change and increase resilience to climate change impacts. The plans included a variety of resiliency and adaptation measures, including steps to develop a more resilient supply chain, to enhance protections for workers and communities, and to increase climate literacy and leadership within federal agencies.
HHS's 2021 Climate Action Plan established five "Priority Actions" for the Department:
- Expanding Health Programs Implementation for Climate Adaptation
- Improve HHS Responses to the Climate Crisis
- Develop Climate-Resilient Grant Policies at HHS
- Climate Resilience by Optimizing Workforce and Operational Footprint through Space Management
- Promoting Sustainable and Climate Resilient Operations at HHS Facilities
The climate adaptation and resilience plans were previously submitted to and reviewed by the National Climate Task Force, White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Federal Chief Sustainability Officer, and the Office of Management and Budget.
Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
On January 27, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14008 (Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad). This executive order signaled that climate change would be a priority in policy-making across the federal government, established a number of new offices, and instructed agency heads to take steps toward developing climate policies. Section 211 of the Executive Order directed each agency to develop a draft action plan that describes steps the agency can take with regard to its facilities and operations to bolster adaptation and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change.
First Trump Administration (2017-2021)
Executive Order on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth
On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13738 (Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth). Among other things, the executive order revoked President Obama’s Executive Order 13653 (discussed below).
Obama Administration (2009-2017)
2014 Climate Adaptation Plan
On July 3, 2014, in response to EO 13653, HHS issued its 2014 Climate Adaptation Plan. The plan identified a broad range of current and future activities designed to reduce climate change risks to the American population, to the provision of health and human services, and to the other initiatives and operations of HHS.
Executive Order on Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change
In November 2013, President Obama issued Executive Order 13653 (Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change), which directed federal agencies to take various steps to prepare for climate change impacts and to support state and local resilience efforts. E.O. 13653 required each agency to evaluate agency climate change risks and vulnerabilities and to identify and manage the effects of climate change on the agency’s operations and mission in both the short and long term.
Office of Climate Change and Health Equity
On January, 27, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 14008 (Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad). Among other directives, Section 222(d)(i) of EO 14008 directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to "establish an Office of Climate Change and Health Equity to address the impact of climate change on the health of the American people."
On August 30, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the establishment of an Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) in response to President Biden's Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. (86 Fed. Reg. 48745, Aug. 31, 2021).
Since its establishment, OCCHE has supported a number of regulatory processes and requests for information within HHS.
Biden Administration (2021-2025)
Establishing an Office of Climate Change and Health Equity
On August 30, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the establishment of an Office of Climate Change and Health Equity in response to President Biden's Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. (86 Fed. Reg. 48745, Aug. 31, 2021). The office was tasked with:
- Identifying communities with disproportionate exposures to climate hazards and vulnerable populations.
- Addressing health disparities exacerbated by climate impacts to enhance community health resilience.
- Promoting and translating research on public health benefits of multi-sectoral climate actions.
- Assisting with regulatory efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and criteria air pollution throughout the health care sector, including participating suppliers and providers.
- Fostering innovation in climate adaptation and resilience for disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations.
- Providing expertise and coordination to the White House, Secretary of Health and Human Services and federal agencies related to climate change and health equity deliverables and activities, including Executive Order implementation, and reporting on health adaptation actions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
- Promoting training opportunities to build the climate and health workforce and empower communities.
- Exploring opportunities to partner with the philanthropic and private sectors to support innovative programming to address disparities and health sector transformation.
Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
On January, 27, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 14008 (Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad). Among other directives, Section 222(d)(i) of EO 14008 directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to "establish an Office of Climate Change and Health Equity to address the impact of climate change on the health of the American people."