Federal Supplier Climate Risk and Resilience 

The Supplier Climate Risk and Resilience Proposal, once finalized, will represent a major step in the Administration’s broader efforts to reduce climate-related financial risks and accelerate decarbonization and resilience-building across the economy. The rule would require the largest contractors to disclose greenhouse gas emissions, perform climate risk assessments, and set validated science-based targets. 

Through these risk assessments and disclosures, the government will be able to:

• Reduce costs for agencies seeking to assess and manage climate risk

• Reduce burdens on taxpayers by lowering the costs of federal purchases 

• Improve resilience against climate-related disruptions in federal supply chains

• Help accelerate decarbonization and climate risk management in major industries

 During the spring 2023 comment period for this proposal, Ceres submitted comments in support of the rule. We later performed an analysis of the comment file that showed broad support for the rule overall, including a plurality of organizational letters expressing support and most opposition coming from carbon-intensive businesses and their trade associations. Download Ceres fact sheet on the rule.

Sustainable Products Procurement

The Sustainable Products Procurement Proposal, finalized on April 19, 2024, standardizes and strengthens existing best practices in federal procurement, makes significant advances in reducing climate and other sustainability risks, and promotes economic opportunities for businesses of all types and sizes that produce sustainable products. Under the rule, agencies and contracting officers are obligated to purchase products and services that are federally recommended as “sustainable,” unless a written justification for selecting an alternative is provided. 

This rule will :

• Make sustainable purchasing the default option for federal agencies

• Incentivize investment in sustainable product innovation

• Increase availability of sustainable products and services

• Protect taxpayers by reducing sustainability-related risks

Ceres submitted a comment in support of this rule proposal in fall 2023, and analyzed the comment file, revealing 92% of all commenters support the rule moving forward.

Contact the FAR Council

Email Christine J. Harada to let the Council know that you support the finalization of the Federal Supplier Climate Risk and Resilience rule.

Copy and paste this email template and send it to [email protected] (and bcc [email protected] to let us know you took action). Or use the button below to auto-populate the email. 

Subject Line: Please finalize the Supplier Climate Risk Disclosure rule!

Dear Ms. Harada,

I am writing to urge the FAR Council to proceed with the finalization of the Supplier Climate Risk and Disclosure rule in short order. Combined with the recently adopted Sustainable Products Procurement Rule, these will help ensure that the federal government can use its customer power on behalf of taxpayers, climate resiliency, national security, program efficiency, and a sustainable economy. 

Through these rules, the federal government can reduce the costs to taxpayers, drive climate and sustainability innovation in major industries, and effectively manage the significant risks posed by the climate crisis. The rule proposals have already been open to public comment, and the majority of comments have been supportive.

As the largest purchaser of goods and services worldwide, the U.S. government has an obligation to protect its taxpayers and program delivery by measuring, managing, and reducing the financial risks associated with climate change and other sustainability threats. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) reports increasing extreme weather events, resulting in billions of dollars in damages. Due to droughts, the Panama Canal has reduced throughput from 36 ships per day to 24 ships per day, causing a shipping backlog. These disasters and supply chain disruptions are growing in frequency.

Please promptly move forward with the finalization of this critical rule. Thank you.