It only seems fair that, if individual organizations are to be asked to reveal the size of their carbon footprint, that the federal government should be as well. This concept is now likely to become reality, as Pres. Obama’s latest executive order calls for each department within the government to assess its position and reveal its agency emissions for the first time.

The US government is known to be the largest polluter in the country and individual agency emissions have never come under such detailed scrutiny as they must now face due to this new executive order. It is true to say that agencies do not comprehend the scale of their emission issues, as they have never been forced to account for their own greenhouse gas inventories before.

Despite its position as a world leader, the United States has never been known for taking the lead in any matters related to climate change. There is some activity within the halls of legislature, as the House of Representatives has even passed its own version of a climate related Act. However, the Senate is not known for moving quickly and it remains to be seen whether they will help move the situation forward or not. Pres. Obama took his own lead by issuing the executive order, knowing that it would by itself have a significant effect on the country’s position due to the size of the government itself.

Obama has said that the government must lead by example and he has clearly come out in favor of reducing reliance on traditional forms of energy and helping to initiate climate change. Rather than setting a given standard, he has asked each chief to assume the scale of agency emissions and to determine their own percentage reduction goal. Agencies must now understand their position and report back soon.

As it becomes clear that inaction is not acceptable, the problems surrounding federal agency emissions are likely to be duplicated amongst all organizations in the next few years. A complete lifecycle analysis is necessary to determine exactly how each asset contributes to the organizational flow, its overall energy use and consequent emission liability.

Obama has set a 10 year plan and will be looking for agency emissions to be reduced by a considerable margin during that time. In order to stand behind a stated goal, agency management must first undertake a full-scale analysis, backed up by tailor-made solutions. The goal of sustainability may only be achieved through full disclosure.

Several major US agencies are responsible for issues related to climate change and environmental damage, but the majority of agencies and departments will no doubt have to take a crash course on energy reduction and sustainability.

While direct agency emissions will be at the center of Obama’s executive order, all federal departments must now become more accountable for their resource usage, waste production and general efficiency.

Daniel Stouffer has much more data about agency emissions and how a visit to www.verisae.com will be of use to you.