A New Era of Federal Procurement: Managing Climate Risks and Promoting Sustainable Supply Chains

Originally aired April 29, 2024

As the world’s largest buyer of goods and services — with roughly $750 billion in annual procurement — the U.S. government holds enormous leverage to reduce climate risks in its supply chains and drive emissions reductions across the economy. Two proposed Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) amendments, expected to be finalized in 2024, would require major contractors to report greenhouse gas emissions and set science-based targets, while directing agencies to prioritize products with sustainability ecolabels.

This panel brings together four experts who have shaped federal energy, environmental, and procurement policy to discuss what these changes mean for national security, program delivery, and the future of sustainable federal supply chains.

Speakers

Miranda Ballentine

Founding CEO, Clean Energy Buyers Alliance; Former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force

Miranda Ballentine is the founding CEO of the Clean Energy Buyers Alliance, where she led the addition of over 71 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity in the U.S. As the 4th Assistant Secretary of the Air Force under President Obama, she oversaw a $9 billion energy budget covering installations, the environment, and energy across extensive military lands and coastlines.

Richard Kidd

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environment and Energy Security

With over 30 years in federal service, Richard Kidd has been pivotal in driving environmental stewardship and energy resilience across federal agencies. As Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environment and Energy Security, he led major climate resilience and sustainability initiatives, including the Department of Defense’s Climate Adaptation and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Plans.

Karla Perri

Senior Counsel & Executive Vice President, Spectrum Group; Former Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Environment, Department of Defense

Karla Perri is Senior Counsel and Executive Vice President at the Spectrum Group and a former Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Environment at the Department of Defense. She provides strategic advice to corporate clients marketing products and services to the federal government, with a focus on defense energy policy and regulatory issues.

Steven Rothstein

Founding Managing Director, Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets

Steven Rothstein is the founding Managing Director of the Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets, where he guides financial institutions toward climate sustainability. His 40-year career spans nonprofit leadership, government service, and the private sector, with extensive experience driving environmental and social change across organizations including Citizens Energy Corporation and the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.