Congratulations to the 2023 Class of Sustainability, Energy, and Environmental (SEE) Ambassadors!

The Department of Commerce 2023 Class of SEE Ambassadors

The Sustainability, Energy, and Environmental (SEE) Ambassadors program recognizes individual Departmental employees for their outstanding performance in implementing exceptional cost-saving projects and/or programs that help improve the Department’s sustainability, energy and water efficiency, climate change adaptation, resilience, and environmental performance. On behalf of the Department’s Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, the Office of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Programs is proud to announce the Department of Commerce 2023 Class of SEE Ambassadors:

Census

• Yvonna Gibbs: For her commitment to improving the sustainability of Census facilities by participating in the Department of Commerce Green Contracting team and leading an effort to acquire electric vehicles and charging stations at Census National Processing Center. Ms. Gibbs also attended the most recent Energy Exchange conference and uses what she learned to identify and champion sustainability opportunities at multiple Census offices.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

• Amanda Dwyer: For her hard work to reduce waste, promote reuse, and affect sustainable behavior across the National Ocean Service (NOS). As the lead for the NOS Zero Waste Team, Ms. Dwyer spearheads the creation of annual action plans and supports their implementation; notable accomplishments have included launching an office supplies donation pilot program; conducting a week-long waste assessment; and distributing 48 zero waste kits to support waste reduction at workshops and events.
• Allison Ferreira: For her dedication to improving sustainability as Chair of the environmental committee at the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO). In this role, Ms. Ferreira coordinated a composting operation at the facility; organized TerraCycle collection bins to recycle office supplies; spearheaded the reduction of plastic by stocking kitchens with reusable supplies; worked with facilities to reduce unnecessary lighting; and created a resource to provide sustainability tips and education to GARFO staff.
• John May: For taking initiative to investigate, develop, and implement the use of digital maps and mobile apps to eliminate the need to print materials before, during, and after global navigation satellite system (GNSS) surveys. Mr. May, a cartographer at the Nation Geodetic Survey Field Operations Branch, provided field observers with the ability to find and document survey field work electronically, saving an estimated 13,000 pages of paper across 1,100 GNSS observations.
• Kristen Schepel: For her dedicated work while serving in a climate innovation capacity during an employee exchange program with USPTO, which infused new knowledge into both agencies. In this role, Ms. Schepel went above and beyond to significantly advance climate policy goals; strengthen the mutual knowledge and partnership between NOAA and USPTO; and support the Department of Commerce strategic priorities to address climate change and advance innovation.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

• Parikha Mehta: For her thorough work during a detail to NOAA, during which she explored perceptions and attitudes towards intellectual property among NOAA research scientists and fostered greater collaboration across USPTO and NOAA. As a result of her research, NOAA can customize its internal intellectual property processes to better encourage innovation and transfer of environmental technologies into use.
• Tiffany Spina: For her leadership in reinventing the annual USPTO Green Fair to be inclusive of the growing telework population while still providing in-person connection and demonstrations for which the USPTO Green Fair is renowned. Ms. Spina created the first-ever hybrid Green Fair, which offered both live stream and in-person capabilities as well as a SharePoint page hosting additional educational content to encourage a climate conscious workforce.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

• John Palmer: For his remarkable efforts to improve energy efficiency as NIST’s first full-time energy manager. Mr. Palmer has become an active participant in the Department of Energy Smart Labs program; revised design and construction standards to account for energy efficiency best practices; partnered with the National Renewable Energy Lab to comprehensively study and identify renewable energy measures the NIST Boulder campus; and identified numerous issues in order optimize building energy performance.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 14: Life Below Water
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article highlights various sustainability and environmental initiatives within different departments of the US Department of Commerce. These initiatives are connected to multiple SDGs, including SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
• SDG 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
• SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• SDG 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds.
• SDG 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

The article’s content aligns with specific targets under the identified SDGs. These targets include increasing the share of renewable energy, upgrading infrastructure for sustainability, reducing environmental impact in cities, achieving sustainable resource management, integrating climate change measures into policies, reducing marine pollution, and promoting sustainable forest management.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of electric vehicles and charging stations acquired at Census National Processing Center (indicator for SDG 7.2).
• Reduction in waste and promotion of reuse (indicator for SDG 9.4).
• Reduction in plastic use and implementation of composting operations (indicators for SDG 12.2).
• Integration of climate policy goals and advancement of innovation (indicator for SDG 13.2).
• Reduction in marine pollution through waste reduction initiatives (indicator for SDG 14.1).
• Implementation of sustainable forest management practices (indicator for SDG 15.2).

The article mentions or implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the number of electric vehicles and charging stations, waste reduction efforts, plastic use reduction, integration of climate policy goals, reduction in marine pollution, and implementation of sustainable forest management practices.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: commerce.gov

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