White House

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

President Biden Set 2035 Climate Target

On December 19, 2024, President Biden announced a new climate target for the United States: a 61-66 percent reduction in economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2035. Achievement of this 2035 goal would keep the United States on a straight line or steeper path to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, economy-wide, by no later than 2050. 

The United States submitted the new 2035 goal as its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. 

2030 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Target

On April 22, 2021, President Biden announced that a new target for the United States to reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030 as part of its Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement climate goals. The administration also released a Climate Finance Plan to double climate finance to developing countries by 2024 and triple adaptation finance by the same year.

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). EO 14008 signaled that climate change would be a priority in policy making across the federal government and established a number of new offices to advance climate-related work. These included a new White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy, National Climate Task Force, Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization, a White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council, and a White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (within EPA). 

EO 14008 also announced that the United States would immediately begin the process of developing its nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement, and that the United States will immediately begin to develop a climate finance plan. 

First Trump Administration (2017-2021)

Announcement of Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

On June 1, 2017, President Trump announced the U.S.’s intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.

Presidential Executive Order on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth

On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13783, Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth. Among other things, EO 13783 stated that it rescinded President Obama’s Climate Action Plan (see below).

Obama Administration (2009-2017)

U.S. Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)

On March 31, 2015, the United States submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. TheINDC indicated that the U.S. “intends to achieve an economy-wide target of reducing its greenhouse gas  emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025 and to make best efforts to reduce by 28%.”

Climate Action Plan

On June 25, 2013, President Obama announced a Climate Action Plan to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions and advance  climate change adaptation efforts. The President affirmed his 2009 pledge to reduce U.S. GHG emissions by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 if all other major economies agreed to limit their emissions as well.

2020 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Target

In 2009, in conjunction with the Copenhagen Accord, President Obama pledged a policy to reduce U.S. GHG emissions by 17% compared with 2005 levels by 2020 if all other major economies agreed to limit their emissions as well.

On December 22, 2023, the Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases (IWG) — co-chaired by the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Office of Management and Budget, and Council of Economic Advisers — published a memo directing agencies to “use their professional judgment to determine which estimates of the SC-GHG reflect the best available evidence, are most appropriate for particular analytical contexts, and best facilitate sound decision-making.” Available SC-GHGs for them to draw from include the IWG’s interim estimates ($51 per ton for the social cost of CO2 and $1500 per ton for the social cost of methane) and the estimates EPA made in December 2023 in support of its power plant rulemaking ($190 per ton for the social cost of CO2, and $1600 per ton for the social cost of methane). 

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

Memorandum from the Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases

On December 22, 2023, the Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases (IWG) — co-chaired by the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Office of Management and Budget, and Council of Economic Advisers — published a memo directing agencies to “use their professional judgment to determine which estimates of the SC-GHG reflect the best available evidence, are most appropriate for particular analytical contexts, and best facilitate sound decision-making.” Available SC-GHGs for them to draw from include the IWG’s interim estimates ($51 per ton for the social cost of CO2 and $1500 per ton for the social cost of methane) and the estimates EPA made in December 2023 in support of its power plant rulemaking ($190 per ton for the social cost of CO2, and $1600 per ton for the social cost of methane). 

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Revisions to Circular A-4

On November 13, 2023, the White House OMB released final revisions to Circular A-4, a guidance document for federal agencies conducting economic analyses of regulations. (88 Fed. Reg. 77615, Nov. 13, 20223). In the guidance, OMB lowers the discount rate for agency cost-benefit analyses to 2 percent, provides guidance for agencies conducting distributional analyses, and explains situations in which agencies can consider the global effects of their regulations.

White House Announcement on Agency use of SC-GHGs

On September 21, 2023, the Biden Administration announced that President Biden approved recommendations from the IWG on the expanded use of the SC-GHG for budgeting, procurement, and other agency decisions, including reaffirming its use for environmental reviews where appropriate.

Executive Order 14094 on Modernizing Regulatory Review

On April 6, 2023, President Biden issued Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review). Among other directives, EO 14094 required OMB to revise Circular A-4, as described above. 

IWG Interim SC-GHG Figure

On February 26, 2021, the Biden Administration announced that it would revamp the way that federal agencies calculate the costs of climate change impacts. The ultimate figure that the administration uses for the SC-GHGs will determine the way that climate impacts are accounted for in federal decision-making, and could make it more difficult to justify approving fossil fuel infrastructure and other projects that contribute to climate change. Alongside this announcement, the IWG announced in a technical support document as an interim measure while the administration reaches a new figure, it is replacing the previous administration’s estimates with the estimates developed prior to 2017, adjusted for inflation, amount to $51 per ton of carbon dioxide, and $1500 per ton of methane. 

IWG’s interim estimate was challenged in court. (See Louisiana v. Biden and Missouri v. Biden in “Litigation” below).

Executive Order on Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis

On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 13990 (Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis). Among other things, the executive order established the IWG on SC-GHGs and directed it to publish interim values for the social cost of carbon, social cost of nitrous oxide, and social cost of methane within 31 days, and publish final values by no later than January 2022. 

First Trump Administration (2017-2021)

Executive Order 13783 on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth

On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13783 (Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth). Among other things, EO 13783 disbanded the interagency working group on the social cost of carbon established by the Obama Administration and announced that the social cost of carbon technical documents were “withdrawn as no longer representative of governmental policy.” EO 13783 directs federal agencies to make consideration of carbon pollution optional. When they do consider climate pollution effects of policies, agencies were directed to consider only domestic climate effects and to use higher discount rates, which lowers the calculated value of preventing future damage.

Obama Administration (2009-2017)

Interagency Working Group Calculation of Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis

In August 2016, the interagency working group on the social cost of carbon released a technical update to the social cost of carbon. This raised the value to $36 per ton at 3% discount rate for 2015. 

Interagency Working Group Calculation of Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis

In 2009, the Obama Administration convened an interagency working group to calculate the social cost of carbon. In February 2010, that working group released an initial calculation of the social cost of carbon - ranging from $5-65 per ton, depending on the discount rate and potential climate impacts. The social cost of carbon at a 3% discount rate was set at $21 per ton for 2010. 

Litigation

Louisiana v. Biden

On April 22, 2021, Louisiana and nine other states filed suit in the federal district court for the Western District of Louisiana, challenging the interim estimates for the social cost of carbon, social cost of nitrous oxide, and social cost of methane published by the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases in response to Executive Order 13990. On February 11, 2022, the Western Louisiana District Court preliminarily enjoined the federal government from implementing the executive order's provisions concerning the "social cost of greenhouse gases." After the Fifth Circuit stayed the preliminary injunction, the plaintiff states petitioned the Supreme Court to vacate the stay, which the Court denied on May 26, 2022. On April 5, 2023, the Fifth Circuit ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the suit, and dismissed the case.

Missouri v. Biden

On March 8, 2021, thirteen states filed a lawsuit in the federal district court for the Eastern District of Missouri asserting that the portion of President Biden’s Executive Order 13990 that prescribed steps for development and application of the social cost of carbon violated separation of powers, as did the interim values for the social cost of carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide that the order directed the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases to develop. On October 21, 2022, the Eight Circuit affirmed a district court’s ruling that Missouri and other states did not have standing to challenge President Biden’s executive order. On October 10, 2023, the Supreme Court denied a petition for writ of certiorari.

Zero Zone, Inc. v. United States Department of Energy

On August 8, 2016, the Seventh Circuit upheld the United States Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) energy efficiency standards for commercial refrigeration equipment, including DOE’s analysis of the standards’ environmental benefits based on the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC). 

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

Permitting Action Plan to Rebuild America’s Infrastructure, Accelerate the Clean Energy Transition, Revitalize Communities, and Create Jobs

On May 11, 2022, the White House published a “Permitting Action Plan to Rebuild America’s Infrastructure, Accelerate the Clean Energy Transition, Revitalize Communities, and Create Jobs.” The plan outlines five key actions to strengthen federal environmental review and permitting of clean energy infrastructure:

1. accelerating permitting through early cross-agency coordination to appropriately scope reviews, reduce bottlenecks, and use the expertise of sector-specific teams;
2. establishing clear timeline goals and tracking key project information to improve transparency and accountability, providing increased certainty for project sponsors and the public;
3. engaging in early and meaningful outreach and communication with Tribal Nations, States, territories, and local communities;
4. improving agency responsiveness, technical assistance, and support to navigate the environmental review and permitting process effectively and efficiently; and
5. adequately resourcing agencies and using the environmental review process to improve environmental and community outcomes.

Several of these elements contain climate-specific actions. For example, to help encourage cross-agency coordination, the White House has convened sector-specific teams to work on issues related to offshore wind energy and transmission, onshore renewable energy and transmission, production and processing of critical minerals, transportation, and climate-smart infrastructure. Furthermore, to help federal agencies conduct consistent environmental reviews, the action plan provides that the Council on Environmental Quality will establish clear and consistent standards for assessing the climate change impacts of projects.

Executive Order on Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis

On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 13990 (Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis). Section 1 of EO 13990 provides that it is the Biden Administration's policy to "listen to the science; to improve public health and protect our environment; to ensure access to clean air and water; to limit exposure to dangerous chemicals and pesticides; to hold polluters accountable, including those who disproportionately harm communities of color and low-income communities; to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; to bolster resilience to the impacts of climate change; to restore and expand our national treasures and monuments; and to prioritize both environmental justice and the creation of the well-paying union jobs necessary to deliver on these goals."

EO 13990 included a list of actions that relevant agency heads should consider suspending, revising, or rescinding to further the policy priorities articulated in Section 1. The list includes the outgoing administration's rollback of the clean car standards, actions to weaken energy efficiency standards, and the decision to permit logging in the Tongass National Forest, among many others that are included in the Climate Deregulation Tracker and on this database. EO 13990 also immediately revoked or rescinded the following actions by the Trump Administration:

• March 29, 2019 presidential permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline
• Executive Order 13766 of January 24, 2017 (Expediting Environmental Reviews and Approvals For High Priority Infrastructure Projects)
• Executive Order 13783 of March 28, 2017 (Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth)
• Executive Order 13792 of April 26, 2017 (Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act)
• Executive Order 13795 of April 28, 2017 (Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy)
• Executive Order 13868 of April 10, 2019 (Promoting Energy Infrastructure and Economic Growth)
• Executive Order 13927 of June 4, 2020 (Accelerating the Nation’s Economic Recovery from the COVID-19 Emergency by Expediting Infrastructure Investments and Other Activities)
• Executive Order 13834 of May 17, 2018 (Efficient Federal Operations)
• Executive Order 13807 of August 15, 2017 (Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects)
• Proclamation 9681 of December 4, 2017 (Modifying the Bears Ears National Monument)
• Proclamation 9682 of December 4, 2017 (Modifying the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

First Trump Administration (2017-2021)

Executive Order on Accelerating the Nation’s Economic Recovery from the COVID-19 Emergency by Expediting Infrastructure Investments and Other Activities

On May 19, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13924 (Regulatory Relief To Support Economic Recovery). EO 13924 purported to address the economic emergency caused by the COVID-19 crisis "by rescinding, modifying, waiving, or providing exemptions from regulations and other requirements that may inhibit economic recovery." The order further directed agencies "to consider exercising appropriate temporary enforcement discretion or appropriate temporary extensions of time," and to determine whether any regulations that have been temporarily suspended in response to the pandemic should be permanently rescinded.

Executive Order on Promoting Energy Infrastructure and Economic Growth 

On April 10, 2019, President Trump issued Executive Order 13868 (Promoting Energy Infrastructure and Economic Growth), which was aimed at expediting the approval of energy infrastructure, including but not limited to oil and gas pipelines. 

Executive Order Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects

On August 15, 2017, President Trump issued Executive Order 13807 (Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects). EO 13807 directs federal agencies to expedite environmental reviews for infrastructure projects “with the goal of completing all Federal environmental reviews and authorization decisions for major infrastructure projects within 2 years.”

Executive Order on Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy

On April 28, 2017, President Trump issued Executive Order 13795 (Implementing an American-First Offshore Energy Strategy). EO 13795 establishes a national policy of encouraging offshore energy exploration and production, revokes decisions to withdraw certain areas of the Outer Continental Shelf from leasing, and issues a variety of directives aimed at promoting fossil fuel development in federal waters.

Executive Order on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth

On March 28, 2017, President Trump issued Executive Order 13783 (Promoting Energy Independent and Economic Growth). EO 13783 sought to dismantle many of the key actions that had been undertaken at the federal level to address climate change.  Among other things, the executive order revoked a number of executive orders and actions, including: guidance on calculating the social costs of greenhouse gas emissions, an imposing a moratorium on federal coal leasing, and guidance on how to account for climate change in environmental reviews. It also directed EPA to review and potentially rescind or re-write important regulations such as the Clean Power Plan (carbon dioxide  emission standards for existing power plants), carbon dioxide emission standards for new power plants, and methane emission standards for the oil and gas sector. IAdditionally, it directed all agencies to review existing regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and any other similar agency actions that potentially burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources, with particular attention to oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy resources, and to develop recommendations on how to alleviate or eliminate aspects of agency actions that burden domestic energy production.

A detailed summary is available on our Climate Deregulation Tracker here.

See also: OMB Guidance Document on Implementation of EO 13783 (May 8, 2017). This guidance focuses on implementation of Section 2 of the executive order, which requires agencies to review all existing regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and any other similar agency actions that potentially burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources, with particular attention to oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy resources, and to develop recommendations on how to alleviate or eliminate aspects of agency actions that burden domestic energy production. 

Presidential Memoranda Regarding Construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines

On January 24, 2017, President Trump issued two presidential memoranda instructing the Secretary of the Army to “take all actions necessary and appropriate” to expedite the approval of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines:

• Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline
• Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline

Executive Order on Expediting Environmental Reviews and Approvals For High Priority Infrastructure Projects

On January 24, 2017, President Trump issued Executive Order 13766 (Expediting Environmental Reviews and Approvals For High Priority Infrastructure Projects), instructing agencies to streamline permitting and review processes for certain high priority infrastructure projects.

Obama Administration (2009-2017)

Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf Offshore Alaska from Leasing Disposition

On January 27, 2015, President Obama directed the Department of the Interior to indefinitely withdraw certain areas of the Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Alaska from oil and gas leasing.

• Memorandum (Jan. 27, 2015)

Executive Order on Supporting Safe and Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources

On April 13, 2012, President Obama issued Executive Order 13605 (Supporting Safe and Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources). EO 13605 established a new “Interagency Working Group to Support Safe and Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources.”  Led by the Domestic Policy Council, the working group is designed to support the safe and responsible production of domestic unconventional natural gas.  The goals of the group include (1) coordinating agency policy activities and ensuring their efficient and effective operation; (2) coordinating among agencies for the sharing of scientific, environmental, and related technical and economic information; (3) engaging in long-term planning and ensuring coordination among the appropriate Federal entities with respect to such issues as research, natural resource assessment, and the development of infrastructure; (4) promoting interagency communication with stakeholders; and (5) consulting with other agencies and offices. Other agencies and White House offices participating in the working group include the Department of Defense; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Department of Interior; the Department of Agriculture; the Department of Commerce; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Energy; the Department of Transportation; the Department of Homeland Security; the Council on Environmental Quality; the Office of Management and Budget; and the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

Executive Order on Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All

On April 21, 2023, President Biden signed Executive Order 14096 (Revitalizing our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All). EO 14096 declares that “[w]e must advance environmental justice for all by implementing and enforcing the Nation's environmental and civil rights laws, preventing pollution, addressing climate change and its effects, and working to clean up legacy pollution that is harming human health and the environment.” To this end, EO 14096 states that each federal agency “should make achieving environmental justice part of its mission” through identifying disproportionate human health and environmental effects of federal activities and taking measures to address those activities.

Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability

On December 8, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 14057 (Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability). Section 402 of EO 14057 directed agencies to “consider incorporating recommendations of the Justice40 Initiative . . . on how Federal investments might be made toward a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits flow to disadvantaged communities that have been historically marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment in housing, transportation, energy, water, wastewater infrastructure, and health care, into operational planning and decision-making regarding Federal facilities, fleets, and operations.”

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. Among other directives, several sections of EO 14008 directly addressed environmental justice:

• Sec. 219 established a policy that “environmental and economic justice are key considerations” in governance, and that it was the Biden Administration’s policy to secure environmental justice and spur economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities that have been historically marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment in housing, transportation, water and wastewater infrastructure, and health care. Section 219 directed agencies to “make achieving environmental justice part of their missions by developing programs, policies, and activities to address the disproportionately high and adverse human health, environmental, climate-related and other cumulative impacts on disadvantaged communities, as well as the accompanying economic challenges of such impacts.”
• Sec. 220 established the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council.
• Sec. 223 established the “Justice40 Initiative,” which established a committee to draft “recommendations on how certain Federal investments might be made toward a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits” of investments in clean energy, energy efficiency, transit, and pollution remediation, among other programs, “flow to disadvantaged communities.”

Executive Order on Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis

On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 13990 (Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis). Alongside a broad range of other requirements, EO 13990 directed federal agencies to incorporate environmental justice considerations into a range of decisionmaking processes. 

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

Memorandum to Expand Domestic Minerals Production

On March 31, 2022, President Biden signed a Memorandum on Presidential Determination pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended. The memorandum directed the Secretary of Defense to take steps to expand domestic production of various materials--such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and manganese--required for the development of clean energy technology.

Executive Order on America's Supply Chains

On February 24, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14017 (America's Supply Chains). EO 14017 declares that the “United States needs resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains to ensure our economic prosperity and national security.  Pandemics and other biological threats, cyber-attacks, climate shocks and extreme weather events, terrorist attacks, geopolitical and economic competition, and other conditions can reduce critical manufacturing capacity and the availability and integrity of critical goods, products, and services.  Resilient American supply chains will revitalize and rebuild domestic manufacturing capacity, maintain America’s competitive edge in research and development, and create well-paying jobs.  They will also support small businesses, promote prosperity, advance the fight against climate change, and encourage economic growth in communities of color and economically distressed areas.” Given this, the executive order declares a national policy “to strengthen the resilience of America’s supply chains,” and outlines a number of measures to advance that policy. Among other things, it directs the Secretary of Energy to prepare a report on  the state of domestic supplies of batteries, key battery minerals and other equipment used in electric cars, and a report on supply chains for the energy sector.

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

Aviation Climate Action Plan

On September 9, 2021, the White House announced a government-wide effort to cut aviation emissions by 20% by 2030. The White House’s announcement lists past and future actions by the Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Defense, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration, all of which are working towards the emissions reduction goal. Key actions include the launching of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge among the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase the production of sustainable aviation fuels; collaboration between the National National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to accelerate technology maturation through the Sustainable Flight National Partnership; and the funding of research and development across numerous agencies. The Biden Administration also plans to release an aviation climate action plan in the coming months.

Executive Order on Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks

On August 5, 2021, the White House issued Executive Order 14037 (Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks). EO 14037 sets a goal that 50 percent of all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States in 2030 be zero-emission vehicles. The executive Order directs the Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to begin rule making processes for motor vehicle emission and corporate average fuel economy standards consistent with that goal and to consider issuing standards for heavy-duty vehicles for model year 2030.

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability

On December 8, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14057 on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability. The executive order directs the federal government to use its procurement power to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, the executive order calls for a “coordinated whole-of-government approach” to use procurement to advance  five primary goals: (1) “100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity … by 2030, at least half of which will be locally supplied clean energy to meet 24/7 demand;” (2) “100 percent zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) acquisitions by 2035, including 100 percent zero-emission light-duty vehicle acquisitions by 2027;” (3) “Net-zero emissions from federal procurement no later than 2050, including a Buy Clean policy to promote use of construction materials with lower embodied emissions;” (4) “A net-zero emissions building portfolio by 2045, including a 50 percent emissions reduction by 2032;” and (5) “Net-zero emissions from overall federal operations by 2050, including a 65 percent emissions reduction by 2030.”

The executive order directs the heads of principal agencies to develop and implement annual Sustainability Plans, describing actions and progress toward the above goals. The plans are to be based on annual guidance provided by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). The executive order  also reestablishes an Office of the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer within CEQ to lead the development of policies, programs, and partnerships to advance sustainable and climate resilient federal operations.

Executive Order on America's Supply Chains

On February 24, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14017 (America's Supply Chains), which establishes the policy to strengthen the resilience of America's supply chains to fight climate change, create well-paying jobs, and secure our economic prosperity and national security. Among other directives, EO 14017 directed agencies to assess, and work to reduce, “the risks posed by climate change to the availability, production, or transportation of critical goods and materials and other essential goods and materials.”

Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad

On January 27, 2021, President Biden signed the Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. The executive order signaled that climate change would be a priority in policy making across the federal government and established a number of new offices to advance climate-related work. 
 

First Trump Administration (2017-2021)

Executive Order Regarding Efficient Federal Operations

On May 17, 2018, President Trump issued Executive Order 13834 (Efficient Federal Operations). The order revoked Executive Order 13693 (Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade) (signed by President Obama on March 25, 2015), which set a goal of cutting the federal government’s greenhouse gas emissions by forty percent over ten years and required federal agencies to develop plans for reducing emissions and periodically report on their progress.

EO 13834 recognizes that “Congress has enacted a wide range of statutory requirements related to energy and environmental performance of executive departments and agencies,” and directs that federal bodies meet those statutory requirements “in a manner that increases efficiency, optimizes performance, eliminates unnecessary use of resources, and protects the environment.” 

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).

Executive Order on Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda

On February 24, 2017, President Trump issued Executive Order 13777 (Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda). The executive order outlines measures to implement and enforce the President’s deregulatory agenda. The order builds upon and supplements a previous executive order which instructed agencies to ensure that the net costs of regulations was no more than zero and to identify two regulations for potential repeal for every one regulation issued.

A detailed summary is available on our Climate Deregulation Tracker here.

Executive Order on Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs

On January 30, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13771 (Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory CostsReducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs) instructing agencies to identify two regulations to repeal for every new regulation issued and to ensure that the total incremental cost of all new regulations is no greater than zero. 

On April 5, 2017, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) issued final guidance on the implementation of Executive Order 13771 (an update to interim guidance that was published on Feb. 2, 2017). The final guidance clarifies that agencies should consider only costs and not benefits when calculating the total cost of rulemakings (or cost savings of deregulatory actions): it states that anything traditionally viewed as a “benefit” in regulatory cost-benefit analysis should not be considered when calculating cost savings of a rule.

EO 13771 was subject to litigation. (See Public Citizen, Inc. v. Trump in “Litigation” below). Read more about the executive order on the Climate Law blog.
 

Obama Administration (2009-2017)

Executive Order on Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade

On March 25, 2015, President Obama issued Executive Order 13693 (Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade). EO 13693 directed the executive agencies to cut the federal government’s greenhouse gas emissions forty percent over ten years, with accompanying emission reduction plans from major federal suppliers.

Executive Order on Climate-Resilient International Development

On September 23, 2014, President Obama issued Executive Order 13677 (Climate-Resilient International Development). EO 13677 required agencies involved in international development work to consider climate change resilience.

Executive Order on Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change

On November 1, 2013, President Obama signed Executive Order 13653 (Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change). EO 13653 directed federal agencies to take various steps to prepare for climate change impacts and to support state and local resilience efforts. The order also established a State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience. 

Presidential Memorandum Requiring Federal Government to Switch to Alternative Fuel Vehicles by 2015

On May 24, 2011, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum on Federal Fleet Performance. This memorandum required all new light-duty vehicles purchased by the federal government to be powered by alternative fuels as of December 31, 2015.  Alternative-fuel vehicles include hybrid or electric vehicles, or those that run on compressed natural gas or biofuels.  The memorandum also required the General Services Administration to assist federal agencies in determining the “optimum fleet size” and eliminating unnecessary or non-essential vehicles.  The memorandum states that “[t]he federal government operates the largest fleet of light-duty vehicles in America” and that consequently it “owe[s] a responsibility to American citizens to lead by example.”

Executive Order on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance

On October 5, 2009, President Obama issued Executive Order 13514 (Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance), which instructed federal agencies to set or achieve various emissions reduction and energy and environmental benchmarks by 2015, 2020, and 2030.  The order required agencies to set GHG emissions reduction targets for 2020 within 90 days, and requires OMB to set a federal government target for 2020 within 120 days.  The order also set out required reductions in vehicle fleet petroleum use and requires increases in water and energy efficiency and in recycling and waste diversion rates.  The order also mandated adoption of certain contract and procurement practices designed to promote energy and water efficiency and environmentally-preferable products.

Litigation

Public Citizen, Inc. v. Trump

President Trump's Executive Order 13771 (Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs) was challenged in a lawsuit filed by Public Citizen, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Communications Workers of America. The suit was dismissed for lack of standing by the District of DC court. 

• Public Citizen, Inc. v. Trump

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

Roadmap to Build a Climate Resilient Economy

On October 14, 2021, the White House published a new report, titled A Roadmap to Build a Climate Resilient Economy, which details the administration’s climate risk accountability framework and its implementation strategy to address climate-related financial risk across all federal agencies. The report covers the administration’s government-wide strategy for measuring, disclosing, managing, and mitigating the risks that climate change poses to individuals, businesses, and the economy at large. The report focuses on the six lines of work outlined in President Biden’s Executive Order on Climate-Related Financial Risk (discussed below):

• Promoting the resilience of the U.S. financial system to climate-related financial risks;
• Incorporating climate-related financial risk into Federal financial management;
• Using Federal procurement to address climate-related financial risk;
• Protecting life savings and pensions from climate-related financial risk;
• Incorporating climate-related financial risk into Federal lending and underwriting; and
• Building resilient infrastructure and communities.

Executive Order on Climate-Related Financial Risk

On May 20, 2021, President Obama signed Executive Order 14030 (Climate-Related Financial Risk). The executive order directs the Director of the National Economic Council and the National Climate Advisor to develop, within 120 days, a government-wide strategy on measuring, assessing, mitigating and disclosing climate-related financial risks to government programs; financing needs associated with achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050; and areas in which private and public investments can complement each other to meet those needs. The order also directs the Treasury Secretary, as the Chair of the Financial Stability Oversight Council, to work with Council members to issue a report within 180 days on efforts to integrate consideration of climate-related financial risk into the policies and programs of the agencies that sit on the Council. The order further directs the Labor Secretary to report within 180 days on efforts to protect life savings and pensions from climate-related financial risks, and launches efforts to incorporate climate-risk considerations into federal lending, underwriting, and procurement. Finally, the order reinstates Executive Order 13690 (Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input) (discussed below).

First Trump Administration (2017-2021)

Executive Order Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects

On August 15, 2017, President Trump issued Executive Order 13807 on Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects. The order revoked Executive Order 13690 (discussed below).

Obama Administration (2009-2017)

Executive Order Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input

On January 30, 2015, President Obama issued Executive Order 13690 (Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input). EO 13690 required all federal investments involving floodplains to meet higher flood risk management standards.

• Executive Order 13690 (Jan. 30, 2015)
• Draft Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Implementing Guidelines (Jan. 30, 2015)

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

National Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Research Strategy

In November 2024, the Executive Office of the President published the National Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Research Strategy, which outlined how the U.S. government can help to fill critical knowledge gaps relating to marine carbon dioxide removal to evaluate its positive effects and mitigate its negative environmental, social, and human health impacts.

Ocean Justice Strategy

In December 2023, the White House Ocean Policy Committee released the Ocean Justice Strategy, which outlined how the federal government will integrate principles of equity and environmental justice in federal ocean activities.

Ocean Climate Action Plan

In March 2023, the Biden White House Ocean Policy Committee released the Ocean Climate Action Plan, which was the first comprehensive U.S. strategy to use the power of the ocean and coasts to address and respond to the changing climate. The plan outlined ocean climate actions designed to meet three goals: “(1) Create a carbon-neutral future without harmful emissions that cause climate change, (2) Accelerate nature-based solutions to protect and support natural coastal and ocean systems that store greenhouse gases, reduce the climate threat, and protect communities and ecosystems against unavoidable changes, and (3) Enhance community resilience to ocean change by developing ocean-based solutions that help communities adapt and thrive in our changing climate.” Actions called for in the plan include increasing offshore wind and marine energy, advancing marine carbon dioxide removal, decarbonizing the maritime shipping sector, conserving and restoring coastal and marine habitats and expanding protected areas in the ocean. 

First Trump Administration (2017-2021)

Executive Order on Ocean Policy to Advance the Economic, Security, and Environmental Interests of the United States

On June 19, 2018, President Trump issued Executive Order 13840 (Ocean Policy to Advance the Economic, Security, and Environmental Interests of the United States). The order revokes Executive Order 13547 (“Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes”) which was issued by President Obama on July 19, 2010 in the aftermath of the BP oil spill. The revoked order established detailed requirements for the management and preservation of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources as well as task forces to help implement those requirements. The new order issued by President Trump did not contain the same environmental protections, and instead established a policy of using ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources for energy production and other economic uses.

Obama Administration (2009-2017)

Executive Order on Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes

On July 19, 2010, Barack Obama issued Executive Order 13547 (Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes). Among other things, the order establishes a policy of “adaptive management to enhance our understanding of and capacity to respond to climate change and ocean acidification.” The order established a National Ocean Council to implement the order’s policies, and directed relevant federal agencies to engage in marine/coastal planning.

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

Executive Order on Strengthening the Nation’s Forests, Communities, and Local Economies

On April 22, 2022, President Biden signed Executive Order 14072 (Strengthening the Nation’s Forests, Communities, and Local Economies). The executive order outlines measures designed to enhance the climate resilience of the nation’s forests, including through reforestation efforts. The executive order also directs federal agencies to study ways that nature-based solutions could be deployed to tackle climate change.

On November 18, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14052 (Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act). The executive order outlines implementation priorities for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, several of which are relevant to climate resilience and environmental justice. For example, the executive order calls for "investing public dollars equitably, including through the Justice40 Initiative, which is a Government-wide effort toward a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits from Federal investments in climate and clean energy flow to disadvantaged communities" and "building infrastructure that is resilient and that helps combat the crisis of climate change."

EO 14052 also creates an Infrastructure Implementation Task Force to coordinate effective implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other related significant infrastructure programs within the executive branch.

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

Executive Order Directing Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

On November 18, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14052 (Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act). The executive order outlines implementation priorities for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, several of which are relevant to climate resilience and environmental justice. For example, the executive order calls for "investing public dollars equitably, including through the Justice40 Initiative, which is a Government-wide effort toward a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits from Federal investments in climate and clean energy flow to disadvantaged communities" and "building infrastructure that is resilient and that helps combat the crisis of climate change."

EO 14052 also creates an Infrastructure Implementation Task Force to coordinate effective implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other related significant infrastructure programs within the executive branch.

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking

On January 27, 2021, President Biden signed a Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking, which reaffirms scientific integrity policies and seeks to ensure that policy is informed by science, and that science is not distorted by politics. The memorandum directs the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to convene an interagency task force to conduct a thorough review of the effectiveness of agency scientific integrity policies, and report on a biennial basis on scientific integrity policies.

Executive Order Establishing President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

On January 27, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14007 (President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology). The council advised President Biden on policy that affects science, technology, and innovation. The executive order established a new council and revoked President Trump’s Executive Order 13895.

First Trump Administration (2017-2021)

Executive Order on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

On October 22, 2019, President Trump signed Executive Order 13895 (President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology). The executive order established a new council and revoked President Obama’s Executive Order 13539.

Obama Administration (2009-2017)

Executive Order on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

On April 21, 2010, President Obama signed Executive Order 13539 (President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology). The order established the council.