Homeland Security sets framework for climate change 'to maximize sustainability and resilience'

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) prides itself on being at the forefront of national initiatives to address climate change. That topic is the impetus for its first Strategic Framework for Addressing Climate Change announced recently.

“With the release of our new climate framework, we are building on our commitment to combat climate change by strategically leveraging relevant resources, authorities and expertise to maximize sustainability and resilience," Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in a DHS release.

The Strategic Framework follows the DHS Climate Action Plan announced in January and will guide DHS’s implementation of President Joe Biden’s Executive Order on addressing the impacts of climate change at home and abroad, and includes the following five lines of effort:

• Empower individuals and communities to develop climate resilience;
• Build readiness to respond to increases in climate-driven emergencies;
• Incorporate climate science into strategy, policy, programs and budgets;
• Invest in a sustainable and resilient DHS;
• Develop a climate change-informed DHS workforce.

The implementation of the five lines of effort along with the guiding principles will enable DHS to protect against the immediate impacts of climate change, while pursuing long-term solutions, the release said.

"This Framework provides the overarching goals, principles and lines of effort for the Department to counter the effects of climate change on the homeland and join in the global effort to mitigate climate change," it said.