On February 28, 2022, the Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Better Climate Challenge, a voluntary, market-based carbon reduction initiative, during an Executive Roundtable with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Fudge, White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy, and committed partner organizations.[1] Over 90 companies and organizations have joined the challenge, including Avangrid, Exelon Corp., the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Siemens, Xerox, and IKEA. Participants will commit to reducing carbon emissions from their operations by at least 50% within ten years without the use of offsets and set an energy efficiency target of around 20%. Specifically, the challenge focuses on Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, which are emissions created directly by the participating organization and emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, heating, or cooling. The DOE will provide technical assistance as well as opportunities to share best practices for carbon reduction.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-pledges-90-organizations-slash-emissions-50-within-decade