Thirty federal agencies and departments released to the public their FY 2014 Climate Adaptation Plans last month. The plans are required appendices to the agencies’ annual Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans (SSPPs), required under Executive Order (EO) 13154. As required by the EO, plans “must prioritize actions based on a positive return to the American taxpayer.” In general, most of the reports did not appear to have changed much when compared to the 2013 reports. However, some reports were expanded and improved from the 2013 reports (the first reports required by the E.O.), and others received much media attention. For example:
- Among the key priorities in EPA’s plan is to identify science needs across the agency to support the integration of adaptation into EPA’s activities and programs. The National Water Program Strategy, which was first developed in 2012, notes that the Office of Water has committed to integrate climate change science or trends into a water program regulation prior to 2015, although the specific regulation is not yet determined.
- The Department of Defense report asserted that climate change is a threat multiplier, and that the impacts are already being experienced and have the “potential to exacerbate” many of the challenges that DoD is currently addressing, from disease to terrorism.
- The Department of the Interior report was expanded from a 12-page outline of the department’s adaptation policy and principles 2013 to a 50-page report in 2014. The latest plan includes a discussion of programs and policies to manage risks and build resilience. It also lists examples of interagency coordination on climate preparedness and planning and describes how the Department is working to identify ways to modernize its programs to support climate resilient investment.