FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 31, 2014

Contact: HHS Press Office 202-690-6343

HHS releases the 2014 HHS Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan and 2014 HHS Climate Change Adaptation Plan

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) considers climate change to be one of the top public health challenges of our time.  In response to this challenge, HHS announces the release of both the 2014 HHS Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan and Climate Change Adaptation Plan.  This announcement is part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan and tied to the Fifth Anniversary of the Presidential Sustainability Initiative rolling out all federal agency climate plans.

Both the Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan and the Climate Change Adaptation Plan confirms the Department’s commitment to mitigating and preparing for climate change. The adoption of these plans sets an example of responsible stewardship and improves individual and community resilience to support a healthier future for the American people.

Recent reports from the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicate that climate change is already negatively affecting human health in the United States, and it is likely to have greater harmful effects on human health in the future.  It will increase the risk from diseases and conditions such as heart and lung ailments, allergies and asthma, and alter the transmission of food and waterborne diseases.  Its greatest impact will be on people whose health status is already at risk and who have the fewest resources to address or adapt to climate change risks.

Hazards linked to climate change also include more severe climate-related extreme weather events potentially disrupting continuity of care and access to essential health and human services.

Because Green House Gas emissions are the primary driver of climate change, HHS has a critical role to play in reducing our own emissions, as well as providing tools and technical assistance to prepare for and adapt to climate change.

A few highlights from the plans:

• HHS is committed to addressing climate change.

HHS is committed to leading the way on implementation of sustainable operations, promoting climate-resilient health and human services, and supporting scientific research focused on the effects of climate change on human health and well-being, as well as effective risk reduction and adaptation measures.

• HHS has answered the President’s call to implement Energy Savings Projects and Performance-Based Contracting for Energy Savings.

By December 31, 2013, HHS had awarded $40.9M in performance contracts to produce energy savings, exceeding the commitment by $5.7M.  An additional $24M of contracts is currently in the pipeline, which yields a total commitment surplus of $29.7M.  With the extension of the President’s Performance Contracting Challenge for another three years into 2016, HHS committed an additional $27.8M in performance contracts.  This will yield a total of $92.7M of performance contracts implemented in six years.

• HHS Sustainability plans have identified hundreds of projects that are expected to significantly reduce HHS costs.

HHS has made great strides in reducing our own Green House Gas emissions.  We have made progress in conserving water and reducing waste.  We also continue to provide tools and technical assistance to prepare for and adapt to climate change to ensure our ability to sustain HHS operations.  We are committed to taking a leadership role in researching, educating and communicating the relationship between the health of our citizens and the health of our environment.

Comments on the 2014 HHS Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan and 2014 HHS Climate Change Adaptation Plan can be sent to GoGreen@hhs.gov

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Last revised: October 31, 2014