The U.S. Department of State has been awarded the 2024 Presidential Federal Sustainability Award for Advancing Carbon-Free Electricity.
This prestigious recognition honors the efforts of the United States Embassy and Consulates in Japan, which have become the first multi-post diplomatic mission to achieve 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) for their operations.
This accomplishment was spearheaded by innovative employees from Mission Japan and the Office of Management Strategy and Solutions’ (M/SS) Greening Diplomacy Initiative (GDI).
By meeting the President’s mandate to operate on 100 percent CFE by 2030 a full seven years ahead of schedule, the mission is now eliminating approximately 5,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually—equivalent to the emissions from more than 900 households in Japan.
The collaborative effort included U.S. Embassy Tokyo and U.S. Consulates Naha, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Nagoya, all working in concert with local utility providers to achieve this sustainability milestone.
Ambassador Rahm Emanuel and the project team have been at the forefront of this initiative, setting a powerful example in the global fight against climate change and reinforcing the strong partnership between the U.S. and Japan.
The award ceremony, held at the White House on June 25, featured remarks from Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality Brenda Mallory and a keynote address by White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. Federal Chief Sustainability Officer Andrew Mayock presented the awards.
The Presidential Federal Sustainability Awards Program, launched in March 2023, celebrates the exceptional leadership, innovation, and achievements of Federal agencies in advancing the President’s climate action agenda.
The Greening Diplomacy Initiative continues to play a crucial role in the U.S. Department of State’s climate adaptation and sustainability efforts, bridging diplomatic policy priorities with management operations to lead by example on climate action.
