DHS Signs MOU with GSA: Reinforcing A Green Footprint for Earth Day 2023 and Posterity

The concept behind “Earth Day” is to preserve and protect the existence of the environment, the natural resources of our planet, and foster- not - hinder its growth with our actions. And here at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), we are proactively taking steps to support this global effort by integrating climate adaptation into the Department to strengthen mission operations and infrastructure.  

On April 17, 2023, DHS, and the General Services Administration (GSA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will enhance DHS programs to reduce carbon emissions, while enhancing operational resilience. As federal efforts to address the growing impacts of a changing climate continue, the memorandum will solidify a strategic partnership between the two agencies to increase facility sustainability and resilience, and spur development of clean energy technologies and infrastructure.  

This MOU with GSA will also employ strategies that offer significant decarbonization initiatives well as short- and long-term reduction in greenhouse gases with the goals of net-zero global emissions and national security mission advancement. It will spur action to help with emissions mitigation and minimize the Department’s most catastrophic impacts to the climate.   

This MOU is a glimpse of the Department’s “green” efforts —we are already applying our resilience framework process and instituting the priority actions identified in our Climate Action Plan, signed by Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in September 2021.  This plan is part of President Biden’s whole-of-government approach to confronting the climate crisis.  It outlines the steps the Department is taking to tackle the climate crisis, including bolstering the Department’s ability to adapt to climate change, building national resilience, undertaking mitigation measures, and addressing key vulnerabilities. 

DHS is committed to the successful execution of adaptation to climatic conditions throughout the Department, supporting investments in climate-resilient facilities and infrastructure.  We will work closely with other federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal partners to ensure these investments to support the climate crisis are made in a way that advances unity of effort and drives equitable growth.  

Our partnerships with public and private organizations are critical to the success of our efforts in climate adaptation and mitigation.  Embarking on this collaborative MOU with GSA supports the sharing of tools, strategies, and best practices.  

“Invest in our planet,” the theme of Earth Day reflects DHS’ continued efforts to operate effectively, while minimizing its carbon footprint. As part of that commitment, the Department will continue to strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water use, and waste generation while operating high-performance, sustainable buildings and fleets.