Obama gives sustainability a boost

Sustainability got a new boost this week, after US President Barack Obama gave federal government agencies 90 days to set a 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goal. In an executive order, he set out targets for efficient, sustainable buildings, petroleum use reduction in fleets, water efficiency, waste reduction, purchasing green technologies and product and support for sustainable communities.

“By fulfilling this Executive Order, the Federal government will demonstrate that economic performance and a healthy environment go hand-in-hand,” Obama said in a statement. “As the largest consumer of energy in the US economy, the federal government can and should lead by example.”

Under the executive order, all federal agencies will have to meet a series of environmental targets over the next decade, including 50 percent recycling and waste diversion by 2015; a 30 percent reduction in vehicle-fleet petroleum use by 2020; and a 26 percent improvement in water efficiency by 2020.