Annual Performance Plan and Report

Topics on this page: Goal 4. Objective D | Table of Related Performance Measures | Analysis of Results | Plans for the Future | Objective Progress Update Summary

Goal 4. Objective D: Improve HHS environmental, energy, and economic performance to promote sustainability

Conducting our activities in a sustainable manner will benefit Americans today as well as secure the health and well-being of future generations of Americans. In carrying out this objective, HHS will be a leader in promoting the co-benefits of sustainability to health and well-being. By conserving resources through sustainable purchasing operations, management of real property and recapitalization of building infrastructure and waste management positions, HHS can meet its mission while managing costs. Operational efficiencies, such as reductions in paper, water, and energy use, allow more resources to be devoted to mission-specific purposes.

HHS efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will protect our environment and the public’s health. Our operations produce greenhouse gases that are associated with negative health impacts resulting from alterations of our climate, ecosystems, food and water supplies, and other aspects of the physical environment. These gases and other air, water, and land contaminants are generated from energy production and use, employee travel and commuting, facility construction and maintenance, and mission activities, such as patient care and laboratory research.

The Senior Sustainability Officer in the Office of the Secretary helps ensure that HHS operations promote sustainability and comply with Executive Order 13514. However, meeting sustainability goals is a shared responsibility, underpinning the functions offices throughout HHS. It is also the responsibility of the individuals directly employed by HHS as well as its grantees and contractors. To integrate sustainability into the HHS mission HHS agencies and offices are using a variety of techniques, the following measures illustrate some of the ways the HHS will be tracking progress toward this objective. The Office of the Secretary led this Objective’s assessment as a part of the Strategic Review.

Objective 4.D Table of Related Performance Measures

Increase the percent employees on telework or on Alternative Work Schedule (Lead Agency - ASA; Measure ID - 1.1)⁹⁰

Reduce HHS fleet emissions (Lead Agency - ASA; Measure ID - 1.2)⁹⁵

Ensure Power Management is enabled in 100% of HHS computers, laptops and monitors (Lead Agency - ASA; Measure ID - 1.3)

Analysis of Results

In support of the HHS Sustainability Performance Plan, HHS has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by technological, programmatic and behavior changes.  Increasing the percentage of employees who telework or who are on an Alternate Work Schedule (AWS) reduces vehicle miles traveled, greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.  Commuting typically causes employee stress and decreases the amount of time that employees can devote to other healthy activities including physical activity, preparing healthy meals, and developing social capital by spending time with family or community events.  Widespread telework and AWS coupled with office sharing and swing space can reduce overall facilities costs, waste-water treatment, and energy use.  When the measure was first established, it aimed to capture both employees who regularly teleworked at least 4 days per pay period as well as those who were on an AWS and therefore also saved fuel by commuting fewer days per pay period.  The values for FY 2011 and 2012 were reported according to the original measure description, however, when it was discovered that some employees were both on AWS and teleworked regularly at least 4 days per pay period, it was decided that reporting for future years would exclude AWS and only capture regular teleworkers.  Due to confusion surrounding the impact of this switch in reporting on the magnitude of the value for this measure, the value reported for FY 2013 included not just employees teleworking at least 4 days regularly per pay period, but all employees regularly teleworking at least 1 day per pay period.  The FY 2014 value represents the correct value, percent employees regularly teleworking at least 4 days per pay period.

HHS is committed to replacing gasoline-powered vehicles with alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) in accordance with GSA acquisition guidelines and in alignment with HHS Sustainability Plan and the Presidential Order to reduce greenhouse gases.  The preliminary FY 2014 data suggests great reduction in HHS fleet emissions and also that this year's goal was exceeded.  The FY 2014 value is preliminary; data collection for the year is not closed until January 15th, 2015 and the analysis will not be final until the fleet emission report is released January 30th.    

HHS IT contracts have been revised to include power-saving configuration requirements.   HHS is measuring the percentage of eligible computers, laptops and monitors with power management, including power-saving protocols in the standard configuration for employee workstations.  Consistent application of power management will decrease the electricity use of HHS facilities.  The target for this measure is for 100% of HHS eligible computers, laptops and monitors to have power management.  HHS set aggressive goals to move from the 2010 level of 32% of devices with power management enabled to 100% of devices with power management by 2013 and to maintain that level continuing through 2015.  In 2011, 85% of eligible devices were reported in compliance across the department, while in 2012 this increased to 94%.  The 2013 department-wide Electronic Stewardship Report showed that 90% of computers, laptops, and monitors were covered by power management.  The 2014 Electronic Stewardship Report showed this value increased to 99%.

Plans for the Future

HHS will continue to support initiatives toward the achievement of the goals in the Executive Order 13514 and the Sustainability Performance Plan.  After discovering and correcting the data reporting issues with telework and Alternative Work Schedule participation, HHS plans to revise this measure for FY 2015 reporting, realigning its content to reflect the current reporting methodology.  HHS has set aggressive goals to move from the FY 2010 level of 32 percent of devices with power management enabled to 100 percent of devices with power management and to maintain that level continuing through FY 2015.  MTCO2e emission reduction targets for subsequent periods are expected to stabilize and improve going forward.  HHS is replacing conventionally (petroleum-based) powered vehicles with alternative fuel vehicles as possible, reducing the amount of HHS greenhouse gas emissions.

Objective Progress Update Summary

HHS demonstrated progress toward this objective as shown by the representative performance measures described in the HHS Annual Performance Plan and Report. Further evidence of progress is described below.

• HHS submitted a Strategic Sustainability Plan (SSPP 2013) in 2013. A new Climate Adaptation plan is in progress with due date of June 30 2014.
• HHS attained a score of green on its January 2014 OMB Scorecard on Sustainability and Energy for Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG Emission Reduction Targets; Use of Renewable Energy; and Reduction in Fleet Petroleum Use. These scores mean that HHS achieved its 2013 Sustainability Plan goals in these areas.

The Department is continuing to support and execute the programs contributing to this objective, monitoring progress, performance, and program integrity while adjusting to any budgetary constraints or changes to programmatic demands.

⁹⁰ This measure is Department-wide.

⁹¹ The reported value for 2011 includes employees regularly teleworking at least 4 days per pay period as well as employees on an Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) and double counts those participating in AWS and teleworking at least 4 days per pay period. The percent of employees teleworking at least 4 days per pay period during FY 2011, excluding AWS, was 0.49%. It should also be noted that data collection for this year started approximately 8 months into the FY due to the recent passing of the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010.

⁹² The reported value for 2012 includes employees regularly teleworking at least 4 days per pay period as well as employees on an Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) and double counts those participating in AWS and teleworking at least 4 days per pay period. The percent of employees teleworking at least 4 days per pay period during FY 2012, excluding AWS, was 9.43%.

⁹³ The reported value for 2013 includes employees regularly teleworking at least 1 day per pay period as opposed to the intended 4 days per pay period explained in the measure description. The percent of employees teleworking at least 4 days per pay period during FY 2013 was 10.66%.

⁹⁴ See footnotes for FY 2013, 2012, and 2011. This value actually represents an increase in % employees regularly teleworking at least 4 days per pay period (FY 2011 =.49%, FY 2012 =9.43%, FY 2013 =10.66%).

⁹⁵ This value excludes all fuel products used by HHS law enforcement, protective, emergency response or military tactical vehicles (if any), as well as any HHS international deployments not already excluded by the previous categories due to constrains of regulating and enforcing US standards abroad and the intent of the metric.

⁹⁶ Due to an error in calculation, HHS initially reported a result of 9,375 MTCO2e for FY2011. However, after correcting this significant error, the accurate number has been calculated at 13,404 MTCO2e. Measures are now in place to prevent similar miscalculations in the future.

⁹⁷ Preliminary value as of January 21th, 2015. The final value is expected to be received on January 30, 2015.