Climate-Resilient International Development Optimization Act
This bill directs agencies with direct international development programs and investments to incorporate climate resilience considerations into agency decision making. Agencies that participate in a multilateral entity must encourage the entity to incorporate climate-related risks into the decisions of the entity. The bill also establishes the Working Group on Climate-Resilient International Development in the Department of the Treasury to support such efforts.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7738 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7738
To require the integration of climate-resilience considerations into
all development work of the United States, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 23, 2020
Mr. Cartwright (for himself, Mr. Rooney of Florida, Ms. Barragan, Mr.
Cardenas, Ms. Moore, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Morelle, Mr. San Nicolas, Mr.
Case, Mr. Trone, and Mr. Cohen) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to
the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the integration of climate-resilience considerations into
all development work of the United States, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Climate-Resilient International
Development Optimization Act''.
SEC. 2. CLIMATE-RESILIENT INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Incorporating Climate Resilience Into International
Development.--
(1) Direct international development programs and
investments.--The head of each agency with direct international
development programs and investments shall carry out the
following:
(A) Incorporate climate resilience considerations
into agency decision making to--
(i) assess and evaluate climate-related
risks to and vulnerabilities in agency
strategies, planning, programs, projects,
investments, overseas facilities, and related
funding decisions, using best-available
climate-change data, tools, and information,
including such data, tools, and information
identified or developed by the Working Group
established under subsection (b)(1); and
(ii) adjust strategies, planning, programs,
projects, investments, and related funding
decisions of the agency, including the planning
for and management of overseas facilities,
based on the assessments and evaluations
referred to in clause (i).
(B) Collaborate with the heads of other agencies
with direct international development programs and
investments, as appropriate, to share knowledge, data,
tools, information, frameworks, and lessons learned in
incorporating climate-resilience considerations into
agency strategy, planning, programs, projects,
investments, and related funding decisions, including
the planning for and management of overseas facilities.
(C) Work with other countries, as appropriate, to--
(i) identify climate-related risks;
(ii) incorporate climate-resilience
considerations into international development
assistance efforts performed by the agency; and
(iii) identify knowledge, practices, tools,
and data of such other countries and
multilateral organizations that can be used by
the United States to improve the activities
described in clauses (i) and (ii).
(D) Support the efforts of countries that are
recipients of international development assistance,
especially those vulnerable to climatic, weather, and
other forms of disruption caused by global climate
change, to integrate climate-resilience considerations
regarding how to use resources (including the
countries' own national resources and those provided by
the United States, other countries, and multilateral
entities) into national, regional, and sectoral
development planning and action.
(E) Support the efforts of multilateral entities
and other countries in developing and receiving access
to knowledge, practices, tools, and data related to
identifying climate-related risks and incorporating
climate-resilience considerations into development
programs.
(F) Monitor the implementation of subparagraphs (A)
through (E).
(2) Development through multilateral entity participation
or representation.--The head of each agency that participates
in a multilateral entity shall, as appropriate, carry out the
following:
(A) Encourage the multilateral entity to--
(i) assess and evaluate climate-related
risks to and vulnerabilities in the strategies,
planning, programs, projects, investments, and
related funding decisions of the entity, using
best-available climate-change data, tools, and
information, including such data, tools, and
information identified or developed by the
Working Group; and
(ii) adjust the strategies, planning,
programs, projects, investments, and related
funding decisions of the entity, as
appropriate, based on the assessments and
evaluations referred to in clause (i).
(B) Collaborate with the multilateral entity and
share with the agencies represented on the Working
Group under subsection (b)(3)(B) and other stakeholders
the knowledge, data, tools, information, frameworks,
and lessons learned from the entity in incorporating
the climate-resilience considerations into strategies,
planning, programs, projects, investments, and related
funding decisions.
(C) Encourage the multilateral entity--
(i) to support the efforts of countries to
integrate climate-resilience considerations
into national, regional, and sectoral
development planning and actions; and
(ii) to promote the development of and
access to knowledge, practices, tools, and data
needed for such efforts.
(D) Learn from the skills, practices, data, and
tools of the multilateral entity and other countries
and incorporate such lessons into United States-led
development missions.
(E) Monitor the implementation of subparagraphs (A)
through (D).
(b) Working Group on Climate-Resilient International Development.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Department
of the Treasury a Working Group on Climate-Resilient
International Development (in this section referred to as
``Working Group'').
(2) Mission and duties.--The Working Group shall carry out
the following:
(A) Support each agency with direct international
development programs and investments by--
(i) identifying, as appropriate, the need
for new data, tools, and information from the
data, tools, and information described in
subsection (a)(1)(A)(i) to be developed by the
agency working with a science and security
agency or entity to advance the development of
such agency;
(ii) identifying approaches for adjusting
strategies, planning, programs, projects,
investments, and related funding decisions
described in clause (ii) of subsection
(a)(1)(A) in response to the findings of
climate-risk assessments described in clause
(i) of such subsection;
(iii) facilitating the exchange of
knowledge, data, tools, information,
frameworks, and lessons learned in assessing
climate risks to and incorporating climate-
resilience considerations into strategies,
planning, programs, projects, investments, and
related funding decisions of the agency
described in subsection (a)(1)(A); and
(iv) developing methods for tracking and
reporting on actions to institutionalize
climate-resilient development approaches,
including performance metrics and methodologies
for assessing climate-related risks and making
cost-benefit analysis.
(B) Support each agency with direct international
development programs and investments by identifying
ways each such agency may work with multilateral
entities and other countries to receive, share, and
review best practices to facilitate advancement of
climate-resilient development policies.
(C) Support each agency with direct international
development programs and investments by identifying
ways each such agency may share with multilateral
entities and other countries, as appropriate, and make
publicly available to the extent possible, data, tools,
and information used pursuant to subsection
(a)(2)(A)(i).
(D) Promote interagency collaboration, including
through joint training.
(E) Identify and develop, as appropriate,
guidelines for incorporating considerations of climate-
change risks and climate resilience into agency
strategies, plans, programs, projects, investments, and
related funding decisions described in subsection
(a)(1)(A).
(F) Identify and assess, as appropriate, existing
climate-change data, decision-support tools, and
information described in subsection (a)(1)(A)(i) to--
(i) help the Working Group assess climate
risks and make decisions that incorporate
climate-resilience considerations, including
project screening; and
(ii) allow the screening for and
incorporation of considerations of climate-
change risks and vulnerabilities by the Working
Group in strategies, plans, programs, projects,
investments, and related funding decisions.
(G) Coordinate efforts, including efforts pursuant
to Executive Order 13653 (78 Fed. Reg. 66817) as in
effect on November 1, 2013, between representatives of
the Working Group with decision makers in multilateral
entities, donor countries, and recipient countries to--
(i) share data, tools, and information
described in subparagraph (F); and
(ii) increase information on climate-change
impacts for providers and users.
(H) Work with the heads of agencies with direct
international development programs and investments and
the heads of agencies that participate in a
multilateral entities to provide, not later than 2
years after the date of the enactment of this Act,
training for personnel of such agencies with respect to
integrating climate-resilience considerations into
international development assistance efforts performed
by such agencies (and the heads of such agencies shall
cooperate with the Working Group in providing such
training).
(3) Membership.--
(A) Co-chairs.--The Working Group shall be co-
chaired by the following:
(i) The Secretary of the Treasury, or the
Secretary's designee.
(ii) The Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development, or the
Administrator's designee.
(B) Representatives.--
(i) In general.--The Working Group shall be
composed of one representative from--
(I) each agency that participates
in a multilateral entity, including
each agency or entity determined by the
co-chairs of the Working Group pursuant
to subsection (f)(2)(C);
(II) each agency with direct
international development programs and
investments, including each agency or
entity determined by the co-chairs of
the Working Group pursuant to
subsection (f)(3)(H);
(III) each science and security
agency or entity, including each agency
or entity determined by the co-chairs
of the Working Group pursuant to
subsection (f)(7)(H); and
(IV) the Council on Environmental
Quality or another agency or office in
the Executive Office of the President,
as determined by the President.
(ii) Agencies with multiple placements.--
The head of any agency that is represented on
the Working Group as described in more than one
category listed in clause (i) may decide--
(I) to be represented by a separate
representative for each such category;
or
(II) to be represented by a single
representative for two or more such
categories.
(iii) Qualification and appointment.--Each
representative of an agency or office under
clause (i) shall be a senior official of such
agency or office, to be appointed by the head
of the agency or office.
(c) Implementation and Reporting of Progress.--
(1) Implementation.--To promote implementation by each
agency or entity with representation in the Working Group, the
Working Group shall carry out the following:
(A) Establish a 2-year timeline to implement
subsection (b)(2), including biannual objectives for
each agency or entity.
(B) Analyze, at least annually, the Working Group's
progress in implementing this section and provide
recommendations for priority areas for further
implementation to the following:
(i) The Office of Management and Budget.
(ii) The National Security Council.
(iii) The Council on Environmental Quality.
(iv) The Office of Science and Technology
Policy.
(v) Other agencies, offices, and entities,
as the Working Group determines appropriate.
(2) Reporting.--
(A) Agency with direct international development
programs and investments.--
(i) In general.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of the enactment of this Act,
and annually thereafter, the head of each
agency with direct international development
programs and investments shall submit to the
Working Group a report that includes the
following information:
(I) The progress of the agency in
achieving the requirements specified in
subparagraphs (A) through (E) of
subsection (a)(1).
(II) The planned and accomplished
biennial objectives referred to in
paragraph (1)(A) for the agency with
direct international development
programs and investments.
(ii) Metrics.--Not later than 1 year after
the date on which the Working Group develops
methods as required by subsection
(b)(2)(A)(iv), the head of each agency with
direct international development programs and
investments shall include in the report under
clause (i) an estimate of the following:
(I) The proportion of the direct
international development programs and
investments for which the agency
conducted climate-risk assessments.
(II) The proportion of the programs
and investments for which climate risk
was identified and acted upon.
(III) Any other metrics the co-
chairs determine to be relevant.
(B) Agency that participates in a multilateral
entity.--
(i) In general.--Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, and
annually thereafter, and except as provided in
clause (ii), the head of each agency that
participates in a multilateral entity shall
submit to the Working Group a report on the
progress of the agency achieving the
requirements of subparagraphs (A) through (D)
of subsection (a)(2).
(ii) Multiple agencies.--In the case in
which more than one agency participates in a
multilateral entity, the co-chairs of the
Working Group shall designate one agency to be
responsible for submitting the report required
by clause (i).
(C) Federal agency planning process.--An agency
described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall report
through the Federal Agency Planning process under
section 5 of Executive Order 13653 (78 Fed. Reg. 66817)
as in effect on November 1, 2013.
(3) Working group reporting.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter,
the Working Group shall submit to Congress and make publicly
available a report on its mission and duties under subsection
(b)(2) and which includes a summary and analysis of all reports
submitted to the Working Group under subparagraphs (A) and (B)
of paragraph (2).
(d) Rule of Construction.--This Act shall be implemented consistent
with the obligations of the United States under international
agreements and applicable United States law.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as may be necessary for
each of fiscal years 2021 to 2030.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Adaptation.--The term ``adaption'' means an adjustment
in natural or human systems in anticipation of or response to a
changing environment in a way that effectively uses beneficial
opportunities or reduces negative effects.
(2) Agency that participates in a multilateral entity.--The
term ``agency that participates in a multilateral entity''
means--
(A) the Department of State;
(B) the Department of the Treasury; and
(C) any other Federal agency or entity that
participates in a multilateral entity, as determined by
the co-chairs of the Working Group.
(3) Agency with direct international development programs
and investments.--The term ``agency with direct international
development programs and investments'' means--
(A) the Department of Agriculture;
(B) the Department of the Interior;
(C) the Department of State;
(D) the Millennium Challenge Corporation;
(E) the United States International Development
Finance Corporation, or any successor thereto;
(F) the United States Agency for International
Development;
(G) the United States Trade and Development Agency;
and
(H) any other agency or entity with direct
international development programs and investments, as
determined by the co-chairs of the Working Group.
(4) Climate resilience.--
(A) In general.--The terms ``climate resilience'',
``climate-resilience'', and ``climate-resilient'' refer
to policies that promote the resilience of a community
to the sudden and gradual impacts associated with
climate change that can reasonably be anticipated,
using the best available science, to be at risk of
occurring over the life of the project or program,
including physical and social effects and also direct
and compound effects of climate change.
(B) Resilience.--In subparagraph (A), the term
``resilience'' means the ability to anticipate, prepare
for, and adapt to changing conditions and withstand,
respond to, and recover rapidly from disruptions.
(C) Life of the project or program.--In
subparagraph (A), the term ``life of the project or
program'' means, with respect to any project or program
for construction or repair of infrastructure, the
expected life of such infrastructure.
(5) Direct international development programs and
investments.--The term ``direct international development
programs and investments'' means--
(A) bilateral, regional, and multilateral
international development programs and investments over
which agencies have primary programmatic and financial
management responsibilities; or
(B) the bilateral extension of official financing
by an agency to private sector investors to support
international development.
(6) Multilateral entity.--The term ``multilateral entity''
means--
(A) the World Bank Group;
(B) the Inter-American Development Bank Group;
(C) the Asian Development Bank;
(D) the African Development Bank;
(E) the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development;
(F) the Green Climate Fund;
(G) the Global Environmental Facility;
(H) the International Fund for Agricultural
Development; or
(I) any other--
(i) multilateral development bank;
(ii) United Nations organization; or
(iii) multilateral development or climate
entity, as determined by the co-chairs of the
Working Group.
(7) Science and security agency or entity.--The term
``science and security agency or entity'' means--
(A) the Department of Energy;
(B) the Department of the Interior;
(C) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration;
(D) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration;
(E) the Office of the Director of National
Intelligence;
(F) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
(G) the United States Global Change Research
Program; and
(H) any other relevant agency and entity, as
determined by the co-chairs of the Working Group.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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