Abstract

The Department has a longstanding role in the protection of life and property from environmental hazards and in the stewardship of natural resources. This traditional role is now augmented by a robust agenda focused on providing communities and businesses with the information, products, and services they need to prepare for and prosper in a changing environment.

On October 5, 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order (EO) 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance, to establish an integrated strategy for sustainability in the Federal Government. The EO calls on Federal agencies to develop and implement Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans (Sustainability Plans). As part of their Sustainability Planning process, agencies are to “evaluate agency climate change risks and vulnerabilities to manage both the short- and long-term effects of climate change on the agency’s mission and operations” (EO 13514 Section 8(i)).

Building on the efforts of EO 13514, E.O. 13653 (November 1, 2013), Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change, requires that each Federal agency develop or continue to develop, implement, and update comprehensive plans that integrate consideration of climate change into agency operations and overall mission objectives.

The Department’s updated adaptation plan reflects lessons learned in the preparation and subsequent implementation of adaptation plans submitted under E.O. 13514 and incorporates new considerations and elements included in E.O. 13653 and the December 2013 Guidance.