Report on the Dismantling of the EPA’s Office of Research and Development and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A recent decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to dismantle its Office of Research and Development (ORD) raises significant concerns regarding the United States’ commitment to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The closure, justified by projected cost savings, eliminates a crucial body responsible for scientific research that underpins environmental and public health protections. This report outlines the agency’s action and analyzes its direct and indirect impacts on key SDGs, including those related to health, water, climate, and institutional integrity.

Agency Action and Justification

On July 18, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the closure of its Office of Research and Development. The key details of this action are as follows:

• Mandate of the ORD: The office was tasked with conducting research to protect human health and ecosystems from pollutants.
• Stated Rationale: The agency cited “$748.8 million in savings” as the primary reason for the reduction in force.
• Personnel Impact: Employees within the ORD face either reassignment to other branches or termination of their employment.

Direct Contradiction to Core Sustainable Development Goals

The dismantling of the ORD directly undermines progress toward several critical SDGs by removing the scientific foundation necessary for their achievement.

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The ORD’s research was fundamental to protecting citizens from environmental health threats. Experts predict its closure will lead to increased public health risks from “dirtier air, dirtier water, (and) unsafe food.”
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The office provided the high-quality research that supports regulatory standards for water safety. Its absence jeopardizes the scientific basis for maintaining clean water resources.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action: The loss of a primary federal environmental research body weakens the nation’s ability to understand, mitigate, and adapt to climate change. Experts warn this could result in “more climate disasters.”
4. SDG 14 (Life Below Water) & SDG 15 (Life on Land): A core function of the ORD was to conduct research for the protection of ecosystems. The termination of this office removes a vital safeguard for both aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity against pollutants.

Impact on Institutional Integrity and Scientific Governance

Beyond specific environmental outcomes, the decision has broader implications for institutional strength and evidence-based policymaking, a cornerstone of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Expert Analysis

• Loss of Scientific Checks and Balances: According to Wendy Wagner of the UT School of Law, the ORD served as a critical internal check on the “politicization of science.” Its elimination removes this safeguard, leaving regulatory science more vulnerable to political influence.
• Erosion of Research Capacity: Wagner also noted the dual loss of “basic research that helps fuel science” and the “rounded, excellent, high-quality research that supports regulatory standards.”
• Anticipated Negative Consequences: Kyla Bennett, Director of Science Policy at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, stated there was “no reason” for the closure and that the nation is set to lose an immense amount of vital scientific information.

Projected Regional Consequences

The negative impacts of the ORD’s closure are expected to manifest at the state level. Experts specifically noted that regions such as Texas are likely to experience the initial and most direct consequences, including a tangible decline in environmental quality that is “not fair to the people.” While the displacement of top scientists may create recruitment opportunities for universities, this potential benefit does not offset the systemic loss of a national public research institution.

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

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article highlights the role of the EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) in conducting research to protect the “health of people from pollutants.” The closure of this office and the resulting forecast of “dirtier air, dirtier water, unsafe food” directly connect to the goal of ensuring healthy lives.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• The predicted consequence of “dirtier water” due to the dismantling of the ORD directly relates to the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article explicitly mentions the EPA is “laying off staff” and that as a result, “we have some of the world’s best scientists now unemployed.” This connects to the goal of promoting full and productive employment.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• The core issue of the article is the dismantling of the ORD, which is described as a source of “basic research that helps fuel science” and “high-quality research that supports regulatory standards.” This action is a direct setback to building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The article warns of “more climate disasters” as a potential outcome of the ORD’s closure. This links the loss of scientific research capacity to the ability to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The ORD’s former mission included research to “protect ecosystems.” The loss of this function threatens the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• The article discusses the dismantling of a key governmental body (the ORD) and the “politicization of science.” It notes that the ORD served as a “check on the politicization of science” and that its elimination weakens internal accountability. This directly relates to the goal of developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

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

Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

• The article’s focus on the ORD’s role in protecting people from pollutants and the warning of “dirtier air, dirtier water” directly align with this target. The dismantling of the office undermines the scientific basis for achieving this reduction.

Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.

• The prediction of “dirtier water” as a consequence of the ORD’s closure points to a regression from this target, as the research capacity to monitor and regulate water pollution is being removed.

Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men…

• The article’s mention of the EPA “laying off staff” and creating a pool of “unemployed” world-class scientists directly relates to this target concerning employment.

Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… including… encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers… and public and private research and development spending.

• The dismantling of the ORD, the loss of “basic research,” and the reduction in force are in direct opposition to this target, which calls for enhancing scientific research and increasing the number of researchers.

Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.

• The closure of a major federal research office represents a significant loss of “institutional capacity” to understand and provide early warnings for climate-related issues, such as the “climate disasters” mentioned in the article.

Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2027, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

• The ORD’s mission to “protect ecosystems” is fundamental to this target. Removing the scientific research that supports ecosystem protection makes it harder to take the “urgent and significant action” required.

Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

• The article suggests the ORD was an effective institution that provided a “check on the politicization of science.” Its elimination is described as the “fox… in charge of the hen house,” implying a reduction in institutional effectiveness and accountability.

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

Indicator for Target 3.9 & 6.3: Quality of Air and Water

• The article implies that the quality of air and water can be used as an indicator. The prediction of “dirtier air, dirtier water” suggests that progress towards these targets is not only halting but reversing.

Indicator for Target 8.5: Number of Staff Laid Off

• The article explicitly mentions the EPA is “laying off staff” and that employees “received letters stating that they will either be moved to other branches or let go entirely.” The number of unemployed scientists is a direct indicator of a setback for this target.

Indicator for Target 9.5: Public Expenditure on Research & Development

• The article states that the reduction in force will deliver “$748.8 million in savings.” This figure represents a decrease in public expenditure on R&D, serving as a direct negative indicator for this target.

Indicator for Target 16.6: Existence and Effectiveness of Government Institutions

• The primary event of the article, the dismantling of the “Office of Research and Development,” is itself an indicator. The closure of a key scientific body within the government serves as a measure of weakening institutional capacity and effectiveness.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thedailytexan.com