Abstract

The Council on Environmental Quality has issued Implementing Instructions to be used by the Federal Government in climate change adaptation planning. The document, Federal Agency Climate Change Adaptation Planning: Implementing Instructions, establishes requirements for climate change adaptation planning for the next year, as recommended by the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force and authorized by Executive Order 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance. This Support Document provides information to assist Federal agencies with meeting the Implementing Instruction requirements.Federal adaptation planning is necessary to address the effects of climate change that affect Federal services, operations, programs, assets (e.g., infrastructure, land and water resources), and national security. By integrating climate change adaptation strategies into its planning, the Federal Government can ensure that resources are invested wisely and that Federal agencies remain effective in current and future climate conditions.The Implementing Instructions require agencies to establish an adaptation policy that commits the agency to climate change adaptation planning, complete a high-level analysis of potentially significant climate change impacts to its mission and operations, and prepare an agency climate change adaptation plan by June 2012. The instructions identify several interim steps for the high-level analysis and plan development. In addition, agencies must identify a point of contact for carrying out the climate change adaptation planning actions and coordinate with other agency adaptation planning and interagency efforts to develop national adaptation plans where appropriate.

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Executive Office of the President

The Executive Office of the President has responsibility for tasks ranging from communicating the President’s message to the American people to promoting the country's trade interests abroad. It consists of the following organizations:

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