U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Coast Guard Climate Framework

On January 27, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14008 (Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad). Among other directives, Section 103(e) of the Executive Order directed DHS to incorporate climate risks into relevant strategy, planning, and programming documents and processes. In carrying out this executive order, DHS released its Strategic Framework for Addressing Climate Change, which outlines several lines of action that are incorporated into the U.S. Coast Guard Climate Framework.

On February 24, 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard released the U.S. Coast Guard Climate Framework, which was produced by the agency’s Climate Community of Interest and aligns with DHS’s Strategic Framework for Addressing Climate Change. The Framework is designed to “maximize [the agency’s] readiness in the face of an era of extremes.”

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

Policy Document - U.S. Coast Guard Climate Framework

On February 24, 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard released the U.S. Coast Guard Climate Framework, which was produced by the agency’s Climate Community of Interest and aligns with DHS’s Strategic Framework for Addressing Climate Change. The Framework presents three lines of effort and corresponding priority actions:

  1. Build climate resiliency into our workforce, infrastructure, and assets; 
  2. Plan for and respond to more frequent weather emergencies and long-term climate trends; and 
  3. Develop and leverage partnerships to enhance, enable, and ensure maritime safety. 
Climate Community of Interest Working Group

On August 12, 2021, the Coast Guard announced a climate working group called the Climate Community of Interest (CCOI). CCOI seeks to reduce agency greenhouse gas emissions to reach 2030 federal goals and to develop an agency strategy to confront the ongoing impacts of climate change.

First Trump Administration (2017-2021)

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Updating Coast Guard Programs, Regulations, and Policies to Address Climate Change

On January 20, 2021, signed Executive Order 13990 (Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis). This executive order directs all executive departments and agencies to immediately commence work to confront the climate crisis.

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.

On July 8, 2021, the Coast Guard published a notice of request for information on specific Coast Guard programs, regulations, policies, and procedures that the Coast Guard should consider changing to combat and respond to climate change. (86 Fed. Reg. 36145, July 8, 2021) Comments from the public were closed on October 6, 2021.

Biden Administration (2021-2025)

Request for Information on Coast Guard Programs, Regulations, and Policies for Addressing Climate Change

On July 8, 2021, in response to Executive Order 13990 (Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis) and Executive Order 14008 (Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad), the Coast Guard published a notice of request for information on specific Coast Guard programs, regulations, policies, and procedures that the Coast Guard should consider changing to combat and respond to climate change. (86 Fed. Reg. 36145, July 8, 2021) The Coast Guard sought input to help it address “the cumulative effects of environmental damage, above all from climate change” and “the disproportionately high, adverse climate-related impacts on disadvantaged communities, while also promoting a safe, secure, and resilient marine transportation system that facilitates commerce and secures national security interests.” Comments from the public were closed on October 6, 2021.