Department of Homeland Security
DHS 2021 Climate Action Plan
On October 7, 2021, twenty-three federal agencies released plans detailing how they will adapt to climate change and increase resilience to climate change impacts. The plans include a variety of resiliency and adaptation measures, including steps to develop a more resilient supply change, to enhance protections for workers and communities, and to increase climate literacy and leadership within Federal agencies. 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. President Biden mandated these plans in his January 27, 2021 Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
- Climate Action Plan (Sept. 2021)
Strategic Framework for Addressing Climate Change
On October 21, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security released its Strategic Framework for Addressing Climate Change, which will guide how the Department will work to combat climate change. DHS's report is broken into five lines of effort:
- "Empower Individuals and Communities to Build Climate Resilience."
- "Build Readiness to Respond to Increases in Climate-Driven Emergencies."
- "Incorporate Foresight and Climate Science into Strategy, Policy, Programs, and Budgets."
- "Invest in a Sustainable and Resilient DHS."
- "Develop a Climate Change-Informed DHS Workforce."
The report supports the implementation of President Biden's January 27, 2021 Executive Order 14008 (Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad).
- Strategic Framework for Addressing Climate Change (Oct. 21, 2021)
Climate Change Professionals Program
On January 12, 2022, DHS announced a new Climate Change Professionals Program under the umbrella of the DHS Climate Change Action Group to be run by the Office of the Chief Readiness Support Officer. The program will recruit recent graduates and current federal employees to support the Department’s growing focus on adapting to climate change and improving resilience.