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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Office of Administration & Resource Management 

(OARM)

June 2013
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Disclaimer

To the extent this document mentions or discusses statutory or regulatory authority, it does so for 

informational purposes only. This document does not substitute for those statutes or regulations, 

and readers should consult the statutes or regulations to learn what they require. Neither this 

document, nor any part of it, is itself a rule or a regulation. Thus, it cannot change or impose 

legally binding requirements on EPA, States, the public, or the regulated community. Further, 

any expressed intention, suggestion or recommendation does not impose any legally binding 

requirements on EPA, States, tribes, the public, or the regulated community. Agency decision 

makers remain free to exercise their discretion in choosing to implement the actions described in 

this Plan. Such implementation is contingent upon availability of resources and is subject to 

change.
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Preface

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to identifying and responding to 

the challenges that a changing climate poses to human health and the environment.

Scientific evidence demonstrates that the climate is changing at an increasingly rapid rate, 

outside the range to which society has adapted in the past. These changes can pose significant 

challenges to the EPA’s ability to fulfill its mission. The EPA must adapt to climate change if it is 

to continue fulfilling its statutory, regulatory and programmatic requirements. The Agency is 

therefore anticipating and planning for future changes in climate to ensure it continues to fulfill 

its mission of protecting human health and the environment even as the climate changes. 

In February 2013, the EPA released its draft Climate Change Adaptation Plan to the public for 

review and comment. The plan relies on peer-reviewed scientific information and expert 

judgment to identify vulnerabilities to EPA’s mission and goals from climate change. The plan 

also presents 10 priority actions that EPA will take to ensure that its programs, policies, rules, 

and operations will remain effective under future climatic conditions. The priority placed on 

mainstreaming climate adaptation within EPA complements efforts to encourage and 

mainstream adaptation planning across the entire federal government.

Following completion of the draft Climate Change Adaptation Plan, each EPA National 

Environmental Program Office, all 10 Regional Offices, and several National Support Offices 

developed a Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan to provide more detail on how it will 

carry out the work called for in the agency-wide plan. Each Implementation Plan articulates 

how the office will integrate climate adaptation into its planning and work in a manner 

consistent and compatible with its goals and objectives.

Taken together, the Implementation Plans demonstrate how the EPA will attain the 10 agencywide priorities presented in the Climate Change Adaptation Plan. A central element of all of 

EPA’s plans is to build and strengthen its adaptive capacity and work with its partners to build 

capacity in states, tribes, and local communities. EPA will empower its staff and partners by 

increasing their awareness of ways that climate change may affect their ability to implement 

effective programs, and by providing them with the necessary data, information, and tools to 

integrate climate adaptation into their work.

Each Program and Regional Office’s Implementation Plan contains an initial assessment of the 

implications of climate change for the organization’s goals and objectives. These “program 

vulnerability assessments” are living documents that will be updated as needed to account for 

new knowledge, data, and scientific evidence about the impacts of climate change on EPA’s 

mission. The plan then identifies specific priority actions that the office will take to begin 

addressing its vulnerabilities and mainstreaming climate change adaptation into its activities. 

Criteria for the selection of priorities are discussed. An emphasis is placed on protecting the 

most vulnerable people and places, on supporting the development of adaptive capacity in the 

tribes, and on identifying clear steps for ongoing collaboration with tribal governments.
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Because EPA’s Programs and Regions and partners will be learning by experience as they 

mainstream climate adaptation planning into their activities, it will be essential to evaluate 

their efforts in order to understand how well different approaches work and how they can be 

improved. Each Implementation Plan therefore includes a discussion of how the organization 

will regularly evaluate the effectiveness of its adaptation efforts and make adjustments where 

necessary.

The set of Implementation Plans are a sign of EPA’s leadership and commitment to help build 

the nation’s adaptive capacity that is so vital to the goal of protecting human health and the 

environment. Working with its partners, the Agency will help promote a healthy and 

prosperous nation that is resilient to a changing climate.

Bob Perciasepe

Deputy Administrator

September 2013
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Office of Administration and Resource Management

Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan

June 2013

CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. High-Level Vulnerability Assessment

3. Current Efforts to Address Climate Change

4. Possible New Action Items

5. Monitoring and Evaluation

6. Appendix: Potential Analysis Tools
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Introduction

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to the safety of its personnel, the 

efficient operation of its buildings, and the sustainability of the communities in which its 

facilities are located. One of the areas where EPA demonstrates its mission is preparing for and 

mitigating the potential effects of global climate change, including severe weather events, 

water shortages, and sea level rises. Adaptation planning to protect EPA’s workforce, facilities, 

and continued operations is an integral part of OARM’s mission.

As the office within EPA responsible for facilities, transportation, security, health and safety, 

human resources, grants, and procurement, OARM is responsible for ensuring the safe and 

continued operation of the Agency’s buildings, contracts, grants, and personnel. EPA’s people, 

buildings, and operations could be impacted by any number of potential climate change effects. 

As required by the EPA Policy Statement on Climate Change Adaptation (June 2011), OARM has 

drafted this Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan.

In general, EPA has made great strides in both preparing for and mitigating climate change 

effects wherever possible. The Agency’s Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan, for example, 

outlines numerous goals and achievements in reducing the Agency’s greenhouse gas (GHG) 

emissions, energy dependence, water use requirements, solid waste, pollution, and other 

environmental impacts. EPA also has in place an extensive continuity of operations plan (COOP) 

designed to address natural disasters and other events that could interrupt Agency operations.

Where necessary, EPA will develop and implement new action items to protect its workforce, 

facilities, and operations against climate change

effects. For example, EPA will consider enhancing the 

resilience of existing facilities in coastal areas to 

protect them from severe weather, flood damage, and 

sea level rise. The Agency will also work with other 

government agencies, particularly the U.S. General 

Services Administration (GSA), to account for climate 

change effects in the design and construction of new 

facilities, or when new buildings are leased. Before 

undertaking any actions, EPA will assess the need and 

evaluate the potential for effectiveness of each 

activity, as well as estimating the resources needed to 

implement it. 

This plan includes the following key components:

• High-level vulnerability assessment

• Current efforts to address climate change

• Possible new action items 

• Measurement and performance evaluation 

• Additional analysis tools and criteria for 

prioritizing action items

OARM Primary Functions

Office of Human Resources (OHD): Manages 

traditional human resources functions and 

provides Agency-wide policy development, 

strategic planning, and direction for EPA’s 

human resource programs.

Office of Administration (OA): Enables, 

manages, and maintains sustainable, safe 

and secure workplaces and manages 

facilities, safety, and security activities in 

support of the Agency’s mission.

Office of Grants & Disbarment (OGD): 

Provides cradle-to-grave administrative 

management of all Headquartersadministered grants, loans, cooperative 

agreements, fellowships, interagency 

agreements, and Suspension and 

Debarment program management.

Office of Acquisition Management (OAM):

Manages the planning, awarding, and 

administering of contracts and procurement 

policy for the Agency.
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High-Level Vulnerability Assessment

In 2011, OARM developed a high-level assessment of the Agency’s vulnerabilities to climate 

change specific to its functional areas. Based on the potential effects of climate change, OARM 

has identified the following vulnerabilities as medium to high priority. Note: This assessment 

does not address EPA research capabilities that might be affected, only its ability to maintain 

the facilities, operations, procurement, security, and personnel in support of those needs.

Water Quality and Supply: Changes to water ecosystems—including 

increasing water temperatures, decreasing precipitation days, and increasing 

drought intensity—could mean a change in the disposition of water supplies 

and potentially compromise the quality and quantity of water available for 

use. EPA laboratories require water to conduct experiments and meet 

building cooling requirements. Water shortages and quality issues will require 

better water conservation planning, especially in drought-prone regions. 

Severe Weather or Flooding Damage: Facilities in coastal or flood-prone 

areas could face the effects of increasing floods, intense hurricanes, and 

extreme temperature shifts. In addition to planning and preparing for such 

severe weather events before they occur, EPA may have to shift its real estate 

priorities and resources to respond to damaged incurred by facilities in coastal 

regions and other affected locations.

Field Worker Safety: Because a portion of EPA employees and contractors are 

engaged in field work, they may be vulnerable to extreme temperatures or 

other weather events. Emergency management mission support must include 

procuring the proper personal protective equipment to be prepared for such 

types of working conditions while conducting sampling, remediation, and 

other outdoor/field activities.

Physical Security: In many EPA locations, closed-circuit television (CCTV) 

security cameras, intrusion detection systems, outdoor lighting, and access 

control devices must run continuously; EPA should ensure that these devices 

are secure in severe weather conditions and continue to be powered by an

uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or have access to a backup generator as 

needed if climate-related conditions cause interruptions in the power supply. 

Security Operations and Emergency Communications: Severe weather events 

and other climate-related conditions causing interruptions in power could 

limit electronic communications, cell phone service, Nextel, and analog 

phones in EPA locations where public address systems are not connected to 

backup power. EPA’s COOP should address emergency communications in 

such instances.

Vulnerability

Medium

Vulnerability

High

Vulnerability

Medium

Vulnerability

Medium

Vulnerability

Medium
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Current Efforts to Address Climate Change

Even before such measures were required under Executive Order (EO) 13514, EPA undertook a 

variety of climate change mitigation strategies, setting aggressive goals to quantify and reduce 

the carbon footprint associated with its facilities, employees, and operations. Following are just 

a few of OARM’s efforts and recent results in this area.

GHG Emissions Inventory and Reductions

In fiscal year (FY) 2012, EPA’s Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions were 54.1 percent lower than its 

FY 2008 emissions baseline (far exceeding the Agency’s goal to reduce Scope 1 and 2 

emissions 25 percent by FY 2020), thanks in large to part energy efficiency projects at its 

facilities, improved fleet management practices, and extensive green power purchases. EPA’s 

Scope 3 GHG emissions decreased 32.3 percent compared to its FY 2008 baseline, due to 

reductions in business air travel, increased use of telework, and cuts in travel budgets. 

Energy Efficiency 

EPA’s FY 2012 energy intensity was 23.7 percent below the FY 2003 baseline, exceeding the EO 

13514 requirements. EPA closely tracks and manages its energy use and plans to continue 

making significant progress in reducing its energy intensity by focusing on implementing key 

projects identified during facility energy assessments. The Agency also exceeded EO 13514 

requirements to reduce its petroleum consumption 30 percent by FY 2020 eight years early.

High Performance Sustainable Buildings 

Approximately 9.8 percent of EPA’s Federal Real Property Profile buildings met the Guiding 

Principles for Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings in FY 2012. 

Water Conservation

In FY 2012, EPA’s water intensity reduction of 22.5 percent far exceeded the EO 13514 

requirement of 10 percent. EPA also far exceeded requirements for reducing landscaping

water use, achieving a 94.8 percent reduction compared to FY 2010.

Pollution Prevention and Waste Reduction 

EPA adopted a more aggressive waste reduction goal of 55 percent compared to the 50 

percent goal required by EO 13514. The Agency already exceeded that goal with an FY 2012 

waste diversion rate of 63 percent. 

Electronic Stewardship and Data Centers

EPA’s purchasing and IT policies require: energy-efficient and environmentally preferable

features on electronic products; achieving a 100 percent power management enabling rate on 

computers and monitors; and reusing, donating, recycling, or disposing of electronic equipment 

in an environmentally sound manner. EPA plans to reduce its number of data centers as well.
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Possible New Action Items

In addition to addressing its high-level vulnerabilities described previously, OARM will consider 

possible new action items to pursue as part of its climate adaptation plans, depending on 

funding and available resources (including personnel and other Agency resources). 

Lead 

Office

Action Item Priority & 

Timeframe

OA Make Adaptation Part of High Performance Sustainable Buildings

• Consider Adaptation as Part of Building Management Plan 

Guidelines (BMPG): As part of its efforts to meet the Guiding 

Principles for Federal Leadership in High Performance 

Sustainable Buildings (Guiding Principles), EPA developed and 

is working to implement the BMPG in its owned facilities. 

OARM will review the BMPG for existing mitigation strategies 

and identify opportunities to address climate change 

adaptation when assisting existing facilities in meeting the 

Guiding Principles.

• Work With GSA: For facilities that EPA does not own, OARM 

will work with its counterparts at GSA to ensure climate 

change adaptation is taken into account in procuring, 

renewing leases, and maintaining existing facilities, especially 

in communities where severe weather and other climaterelated events could have the most impact.

• Update Best Practices (Environmental) Lease Provisions 

(BPLP): EPA includes the BPLP with GSA’s standard 

Solicitation for Offer template to facilitate inclusion of 

environmental provisions in new lease actions. EPA will 

review the BPLP to determine if climate change adaptation 

requirements should be added in the future.

• Incorporate Adaptation Into GreenCheck: GreenCheck, 

OARM’s process for evaluating new construction and 

renovation projects for various environmental initiatives and 

high performance sustainable building characteristics, will 

consider measures to ensure building additions, 

construction, and other efforts take adaptation to severe 

weather and other climate change-related effects into 

account when projects are undertaken.

Medium/ 

2014

OA Incorporate Adaptation Into Water Conservation Planning

As part of its ongoing work to reduce water intensity across all of its 

reporting facilities, EPA will revisit its existing Water Conservation 

Strategy to ensure that water is being used as efficiently as possible 

in its facilities, and that laboratories are prepared to respond in the 

event of a drought or other water shortage or quality event.

Medium/ 

2014
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OA Reduce Energy Reliance

EPA laboratories demand higher-than-average energy use to meet 

the Agency’s research requirements. Because severe weather events 

and rising temperatures can impact the consistent delivery of power 

from the nation’s electrical grid, EPA will continue to reduce its 

reliance on traditional energy sources through energy conservation 

measures, fleet efficiency, and onsite renewable energy generation.

Medium/ 

Ongoing

OAM Prepare for Contract Continuity

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 18 addresses emergency 

contracting policies at the federal regulatory level, and the Office of 

Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Emergency Acquisitions Guide 

provides supplemental guidelines, as does OARM’s COOP.

Low/2015

OHR Educate Employees on the Impacts of Climate Change

Once the final Climate Adaptation Plan is published, OARM will 

integrate with other Agency-wide adaptation efforts to increase 

employee awareness of climate change effects that may affect their 

ability to implement effective programs. OARM will work with the 

EPA Office of Policy to provide the necessary data, information,

training, and tools to employees to ensure continuity of operations.

Low/2015

OHR Redirect Personnel as Needed

Following severe weather and other events, EPA response personnel 

may need to be redirected to assist emergency management 

personnel, assess environmental damage, and test sites for air 

quality, water quality, and other environmental health concerns. 

As needed
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Monitoring and Evaluation

OARM recognizes that evaluating progress on climate change adaptation is important. Much of 

the work described in this plan is evaluated annually as part of the SSPP, OMB Scorecard, and 

federal agency environmental compliance process. In addition, EPA will gather and review 

lessons learned over time as the Agency responds to severe weather events, addresses 

changing priorities, and mainstreams climate adaptation planning into personnel, facilities, and 

operations processes. We will use this information to continually improve our climate change 

adaptation and mitigation planning and response actions. 

Looking ahead, OARM could track progress on climate change adaptation by incorporating new 

action items into future SSPP updates. As an existing, annually updated strategy that 

encompasses both climate change mitigation activities and EPA’s progress on specific Agencywide goals regarding facilities, personnel, and operations, the SSPP is the most appropriate way 

to track actions taken to adapt to climate change effects such as severe weather events that 

impact its facilities and operations.
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Appendix: Potential Analysis Tools

Regional Climate Scenarios

In January 2013, the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGRP) made available the first 

standardized set of regional climate scenarios and global sea level rise scenarios that all federal 

agencies can use in their adaptation planning efforts. The scenarios provide pictures of future 

climate and sea level rise that EPA can use as it anticipates and prepares for climate change.

OARM and each Region could, depending on funding availability, evaluate the potential impacts 

of climate change on their facilities, personnel, and operations using the Integrated Climate and 

Land Use Scenarios (ICLUS) (http://www.epa.gov/ncea/global/iclus/) developed by EPA’s Office 

of Research and Development. These are nationwide housing-density scenarios consistent with 

climate change storylines. Combined with the USGCRP’s regional climate scenarios, ICLUS can 

help answer the question, “What should we plan for?” They can help evaluate how interactions 

between climate and land-use changes may affect air and water quality, human health, and 

ecosystems. 

EPA’s Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool 

Version 2.0 of EPA’s Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT) is now available 

for download at www.epa.gov/climatereadyutilities. The tool assists drinking water, 

wastewater, and stormwater utilities in identifying climate change threats, assessing potential 

consequences, and evaluating adaptation options. 

Eight Regions Defined by the National Climate Assessment