(Washington) President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed an executive order to make the federal government carbon neutral by 2050.
The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030 and have the government use an all-electric fleet of cars and trucks five years later.
The White House said the ordinance shows how the government will use its purchasing power to lead by example in tackling the climate crisis.
As the nation’s largest landowner, energy consumer, and employer, the federal government can catalyze private sector investment and grow the U.S. economy and industry by transforming the way we build, buy and manage electricity, vehicles, buildings and other operations to be clean and sustainable.
Extract from the executive order signed by President Joe Biden
Government buildings are expected to be carbon-free by 2045, which includes a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2032, Joe Biden said.
600,000 electric vehicles
The decree orders that government buildings use 100% carbon-neutral electricity by 2030; that the US fleet of cars and trucks become fully electric by 2035; and that federal contracts for goods and services be carbon-free by 2050.
This executive action is part of Joe Biden’s commitment to support the growth of the clean energy and clean technology industries, while accelerating the United States’ progress towards achieving an electricity sector. carbon-free by 2035, the White House said.
“The United States government will lead by example in providing a solid foundation for American businesses to compete and win globally in the clean energy economy while creating well-paying union jobs domestically,” he said. declared the White House.
With this decree, the government will transform its portfolio of 300,000 buildings, its fleet of 600,000 cars and trucks, and its annual purchasing power of $ 650 billion in goods and services to achieve net zero carbon emissions over the years. next three decades, said the White House.
Buy green electricity
The executive order is expected to make federal agencies more resilient to the effects of climate change and increase the sustainability of supply chains, reducing disruption and potential damage to federal operations, assets and programs, the White House said.
On electricity, the White House said the government will work with utilities, developers, tech companies, financiers to purchase electricity produced from sources that generate zero carbon emissions, including solar and wind power, for all of its operations by 2030.
The move to zero-emission vehicles “will accelerate the advancement of America’s industrial capacity to supply zero-emission vehicles and electric vehicle batteries, and create and maintain good union jobs in manufacturing, engineering and trades.” specialized, ”said the White House.