The DHS Climate Change Action Group is a coordinating body comprised of the Department’s senior leadership that drives urgent action to address the climate crisis and reports directly to the Secretary. Announced by Secretary Mayorkas on April 22, 2021, the Climate Change Action Group will unite, refocus, and elevate the Department’s cross-functional efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
The group will drive action across the following six priorities:
- Analyzing, on an ongoing basis, the impacts of climate change on DHS missions, assets, and personnel;
- Adapting DHS operations, assets, and missions to account for the climate crisis via risk- based strategies;
- Coordinating DHS-wide sustainability operations to mitigate additional harm;
- Recommending specific, concrete steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
- Recommending specific, concrete steps to promote resilience and adaptation to reduce the multiple risks posed by the climate crisis; and,
- Recommending organizational and resource realignments as necessary to support the Department’s activities to address the climate crisis.
Every DHS Component and office will work together to tackle the challenges posed by climate change, which affect our operations, plans, business processes, programs, and strategies. Just as importantly, our engagements with partners across the homeland security enterprise will also reflect the seriousness with which we approach the risks posed by climate change.
The climate crisis poses a significant threat to both DHS operations and the American people. It is vital for the Department to provide leadership and take proactive measures to minimize its environmental impact across the United States and globally.