Working Toward a Sustainable Future
FY 2014 Annual Action Plan
1. The Agency will focus initially on four cross-program priority areas to advance the
integration of the sustainability principles outlined in this Strategy: (1) sustainable products
and purchasing [focusing initially on multi-stakeholder systems to define and rate
sustainable products and purchasing], (2) green infrastructure [focusing initially on storm
water management], (3) sustainable materials management [focusing initially on food], and
(4) energy efficiency (focusing initially on measures to enhance electric system efficiency that
can support the President's Climate Action Plan)]. With respect to these four areas, EPA
will (a) identify leveraging opportunities with communities, businesses, universities, and
other stakeholders with which we are already working or should work to advance
sustainability; (b) identify opportunities to incorporate sustainability principles into
regulatory, enforcement, incentive-based, and partnership programs; (c) design a targeted
strategy including identifying appropriate goals to advance these four areas; and (d) identify
processes and lessons learned through these four areas to be applied to other areas.
2. By March 31, 2014, the Agency will establish a cross-agency governance body of senior
managers from headquarters and regional offices that will help integrate and advance the
sustainability principles into all of EPA's work.
3. Engage and empower EPA staff and managers (in reach). The Agency will stress that
sustainability implementation is the job of every employee -staff and manager. An informed
and engaged workforce will be essential to implement this Strategy. In order to engage and
empower EPA staff and build on existing knowledge and experience, EPA will conduct at
least the following initial in reach steps:
a. Use GreenSpark to solicit employee input on sustainable facilities. By June 1, 2014,
the Agency will use GreenSpark to solicit input on potential ideas and announce select
opportunities regarding how EPA can have a more sustainable work environment.
b Walk the talk on sustainable purchasing. By September 30, 2014, EPA will complete
a high-level analysis of EPA's procurement, using GSA's existing prioritization tool to
rank product and service purchase categories by their environmental impact and
purchase volume. In addition, EPA will update its procurement policy and training
materials to encourage procurement and program staff (Contracting Officers,
-------
Contracting Officer Representatives) to use new Voluntary Consensus Standards
(including IEEE 1680.2) for the purchase of electronics equipment. In addition, by
c. Federal Green Challenge - September 30, 2014, EPA will increase the number of EPA
facilities participating in actions under the Federal Green Challenge and develop a
system to recognize EPA facilities for Challenge related successes.
4 Engage and empower stakeholders (outreach) By April 1, 2014, the Agency will engage
with state and local organizations on sustainability activities to leverage appropriate
collaboration opportunities regarding the initial four cross-program priority areas identified
above.
5. Improve use of existing sustainability indicators, metrics and analytical tools to inform
Agency decisions in and across different media. By September 30, 2014, EPA will pilot
the use of environmental sustainability indicators and other metrics/analytical tools for
energy use, water use, and materials use to assess their impact in strengthening Agency
decisions within and across media.
------- |