Environmental Sustainability
#15Key Findings
The United States falls into the middle ranks internationally (rank 15) in the area of environmental sustainability.
The federal government has committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, but this is not binding. The Biden administration has aimed for achieving 100% clean energy by 2035, and has made significant investments in solar and wind power and energy efficiency. These policy aims may change with future administrations.
The Environmental Protection Agency sets and enforces pollution standards and monitors hazardous substances. Private sector industries are required to disclose information about potential hazardous substances they may be using. The Biden administration reviewed and revoked Trump-era regulations that weakened pollution standards.
Ecosystem preservation duties are shared by federal, state and local entities, with varying levels of commitment. Endangered species laws are well established, and large amounts of land are protected under federal law. The country has played a strong role in advancing environmental diplomacy, but participation has sometimes been hobbled by domestic politics.
The federal government has committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, but this is not binding. The Biden administration has aimed for achieving 100% clean energy by 2035, and has made significant investments in solar and wind power and energy efficiency. These policy aims may change with future administrations.
The Environmental Protection Agency sets and enforces pollution standards and monitors hazardous substances. Private sector industries are required to disclose information about potential hazardous substances they may be using. The Biden administration reviewed and revoked Trump-era regulations that weakened pollution standards.
Ecosystem preservation duties are shared by federal, state and local entities, with varying levels of commitment. Endangered species laws are well established, and large amounts of land are protected under federal law. The country has played a strong role in advancing environmental diplomacy, but participation has sometimes been hobbled by domestic politics.
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How committed is the government to the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050?
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9
The government is clearly committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
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7
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7
6
The government is largely committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
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3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
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1
The government is not at all committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
The commitment of the U.S. federal government to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is greatly influenced by the administration in office. The current administration, under President Joe Biden, has explicitly committed to working toward zero emissions by 2050 in Executive Order 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.” In his first days in office, President Biden re-entered the United States in the Paris Climate Agreement. He hosted the Leaders Summit on Climate and reiterated the commitment to net zero by 2050, as well as the pledge to halve emissions from 2005 levels by 2030.
Biden’s executive action is not binding, and its durability partly depends on the commitment of future presidential administrations to these goals. However, Biden has also signed substantial climate spending investments into law, which will have a long-term impact regardless of the ideological leanings of his successor. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is the biggest climate infrastructure bill in U.S. history. Experts believe this legislation will bring the United States to lower its carbon footprint by at least 40% of 2005 levels by 2030.
The Biden administration has made various sector-specific climate pledges. It has committed to 100% clean energy by 2035 through substantial investments in solar and wind power. Additionally, the administration has allocated considerable resources to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, modes of transport, and industrial processes. It has also supported investments in electric vehicles by providing subsidies for Americans to purchase electric vehicles and funding to build electric charging infrastructure.
The Biden administration has used federal procurement to promote climate action. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) contains provisions relating to sustainable purchasing. Government departments are required to consider energy efficiency and sustainability when making procurement decisions. The General Services Administration (GSA), which manages the federal government’s vehicle fleet, has been instructed to transition the federal fleet to electric and zero-emissions options. Federal buildings are expected to be constructed sustainably, minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact. Various government departments, such as the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, have power purchase agreements for solar and wind energy to power federal operations and facilities.
Biden’s executive action is not binding, and its durability partly depends on the commitment of future presidential administrations to these goals. However, Biden has also signed substantial climate spending investments into law, which will have a long-term impact regardless of the ideological leanings of his successor. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is the biggest climate infrastructure bill in U.S. history. Experts believe this legislation will bring the United States to lower its carbon footprint by at least 40% of 2005 levels by 2030.
The Biden administration has made various sector-specific climate pledges. It has committed to 100% clean energy by 2035 through substantial investments in solar and wind power. Additionally, the administration has allocated considerable resources to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, modes of transport, and industrial processes. It has also supported investments in electric vehicles by providing subsidies for Americans to purchase electric vehicles and funding to build electric charging infrastructure.
The Biden administration has used federal procurement to promote climate action. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) contains provisions relating to sustainable purchasing. Government departments are required to consider energy efficiency and sustainability when making procurement decisions. The General Services Administration (GSA), which manages the federal government’s vehicle fleet, has been instructed to transition the federal fleet to electric and zero-emissions options. Federal buildings are expected to be constructed sustainably, minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact. Various government departments, such as the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, have power purchase agreements for solar and wind energy to power federal operations and facilities.
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How committed is the government to protecting the public from environmental health risks?
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The government is clearly committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
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The government is largely committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
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3
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The government is only somewhat committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary federal agency responsible for protecting the public from environmental health risks. It sets and enforces environmental regulations and standards, and takes action against pollutants and other hazardous substances that contaminate the air, water, and soil.
The EPA enforces a variety of federal statutes related to the environment. Under the Clean Air Act of 1970, the EPA has established the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which it uses to reduce air pollution in collaboration with partners in state and local government. Under the Clean Water Act of 1972 and the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, the EPA monitors water quality and enforces drinking water standards for local public and private utilities. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) created a “superfund” from which the EPA can draw to fund cleanup efforts and mitigation at hazardous waste sites.
Other agencies enforce and monitor environmental health. The National Institutes of Health includes the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, which conducts research on environmental health issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) all have responsibilities for monitoring potential environmental health risks, especially in the areas of public health, the workplace, and consumer products, respectively.
The federal government places obligations on private sector industries to disclose information about potential hazardous substances they may be using. The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 requires industries that work with toxic chemicals to report this information.
On his first day in office, President Biden announced a series of actions to promote and protect public health and the environment. Most of those actions depend on the EPA’s regulatory authority. The executive order also required a review of several Trump-era regulations that weakened pollution standards or sought to permanently restrict the agency’s authority to impose health-based pollution standards.
The EPA enforces a variety of federal statutes related to the environment. Under the Clean Air Act of 1970, the EPA has established the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which it uses to reduce air pollution in collaboration with partners in state and local government. Under the Clean Water Act of 1972 and the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, the EPA monitors water quality and enforces drinking water standards for local public and private utilities. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) created a “superfund” from which the EPA can draw to fund cleanup efforts and mitigation at hazardous waste sites.
Other agencies enforce and monitor environmental health. The National Institutes of Health includes the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, which conducts research on environmental health issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) all have responsibilities for monitoring potential environmental health risks, especially in the areas of public health, the workplace, and consumer products, respectively.
The federal government places obligations on private sector industries to disclose information about potential hazardous substances they may be using. The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 requires industries that work with toxic chemicals to report this information.
On his first day in office, President Biden announced a series of actions to promote and protect public health and the environment. Most of those actions depend on the EPA’s regulatory authority. The executive order also required a review of several Trump-era regulations that weakened pollution standards or sought to permanently restrict the agency’s authority to impose health-based pollution standards.
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How committed is the government to preserving ecosystems and protecting biodiversity?
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The government is clearly committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
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The government is largely committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
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The government is only somewhat committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
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The government is not at all committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
Preserving ecosystems and protecting diversity are duties shared by federal, state, and local entities. The level of commitment varies between federal administrations, as well as among different state and local administrations.
Nonetheless, broad legal structural forces influence the operations of these agencies. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of their actions and decisions, taking into account ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental health. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 protects endangered species and aids in their recovery, including the protection and nurturing of their natural habitats. The act is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Both the USFWS and NMFS carry out a variety of conservation activities. For instance, the USFWS manages the National Wildlife Refuge System, a network of public lands dedicated to wildlife conservation.
The National Park Service, under the Department of the Interior, is a major federal agency managing over 85 million acres (350,000 square kilometers – roughly the equivalent of Germany’s entire territory) of federal lands dedicated to protected parks supporting the natural environment, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Within the Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Forest Service, a separate agency, manages over 150 national forests covering nearly 200 million acres (800,000 square kilometers – equivalent to the combined territory of the United Kingdom and Ukraine).
The federal government also sponsors conservationists in state and local government and in the private sector through initiatives like the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a nationally competitive grant program that provides funding to support natural ecosystems benefiting wider communities.
The Biden administration invested $44 million to address critical ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs for the National Parks Service in 2023.
Nonetheless, broad legal structural forces influence the operations of these agencies. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of their actions and decisions, taking into account ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental health. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 protects endangered species and aids in their recovery, including the protection and nurturing of their natural habitats. The act is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Both the USFWS and NMFS carry out a variety of conservation activities. For instance, the USFWS manages the National Wildlife Refuge System, a network of public lands dedicated to wildlife conservation.
The National Park Service, under the Department of the Interior, is a major federal agency managing over 85 million acres (350,000 square kilometers – roughly the equivalent of Germany’s entire territory) of federal lands dedicated to protected parks supporting the natural environment, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Within the Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Forest Service, a separate agency, manages over 150 national forests covering nearly 200 million acres (800,000 square kilometers – equivalent to the combined territory of the United Kingdom and Ukraine).
The federal government also sponsors conservationists in state and local government and in the private sector through initiatives like the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a nationally competitive grant program that provides funding to support natural ecosystems benefiting wider communities.
The Biden administration invested $44 million to address critical ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs for the National Parks Service in 2023.
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To what extent is the government committed and credible in designing and promoting global environmental protection regimes and policies?
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Government policy and institutions are fully aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
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Government policy and institutions are largely aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
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Government policy and institutions are somewhat aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
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Government policy and institutions are not at all aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
The present U.S. administration plays a reasonably prominent role in shaping global environmental protection regimes and policies. It does so through various channels.
Historically, the United States has actively engaged in negotiating and participating in international climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes. However, the full extent of U.S. participation has sometimes been limited by a recalcitrant Senate, as with the ratification of the Kyoto Agreement, or by hostile administrations, as with President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
Nonetheless, on balance, the United States. has played and continues to play a key role in environmental diplomacy. The State Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, for instance, leads diplomatic negotiations and fosters collaboration on a range of environmental commitments.
In addition, the United States significantly contributes to global environmental funds. For example, the U.S. government supports the Global Environment Facility, which funds biodiversity and conservation projects while focusing on climate change mitigation and sustainable development. The U.S. government also funds the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance, which develops financial instruments to help advance investment in clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate-related projects. USAID runs a “Clean Energy Investment Accelerator,” which seeks to mobilize private investment in renewable energy projects.
The U.S. government also helps transfer and disseminate environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favorable terms. Power Africa, an initiative led by USAID, is tasked with providing clean and reliable energy throughout sub-Saharan Africa and is focused primarily on harnessing solar energy.
Historically, the United States has actively engaged in negotiating and participating in international climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes. However, the full extent of U.S. participation has sometimes been limited by a recalcitrant Senate, as with the ratification of the Kyoto Agreement, or by hostile administrations, as with President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
Nonetheless, on balance, the United States. has played and continues to play a key role in environmental diplomacy. The State Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, for instance, leads diplomatic negotiations and fosters collaboration on a range of environmental commitments.
In addition, the United States significantly contributes to global environmental funds. For example, the U.S. government supports the Global Environment Facility, which funds biodiversity and conservation projects while focusing on climate change mitigation and sustainable development. The U.S. government also funds the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance, which develops financial instruments to help advance investment in clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate-related projects. USAID runs a “Clean Energy Investment Accelerator,” which seeks to mobilize private investment in renewable energy projects.
The U.S. government also helps transfer and disseminate environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favorable terms. Power Africa, an initiative led by USAID, is tasked with providing clean and reliable energy throughout sub-Saharan Africa and is focused primarily on harnessing solar energy.