Summary Description
- Directs to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions associated with food.
- TopicThe topic of the legislation or policy covered by the text
- Alternative ProteinsClimate & environmental protectionPublic procurement
- SpeciesThe animal, or type of food production, covered by the text
- JurisdictionCountry or geographical area where the text applies
- USA
- Sub-jurisdictionCountry or state where the text applies
- Washington, D.C.
- Type of ActWhether the act is a law, regulation, or policy, or another type of text
- Legislation
- StatusIndicates whether the act is in force or not
- In force
- Legal ValueWhether the text is binding or not
- Binding
- Date enactedDate the text was adopted
- 2020
- Date updatedDate when the entry was last updated by the CALF team
- January, 2024
- Official citation
- Green Food Purchasing Amendment Act, DC-Law 24-16 (2021)
Strengths & Weaknesses
- Strengths
- Directs the Department of Energy and Environment to adopt a methodology to estimate greenhouse gas emissions that occur through the life cycle of certain foods and establish a baseline measurement of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the District�s food and beverage purchases, and to require contracting agencies to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions associated with food and beverages according to a reduction schedule (for purchases over $10,000). Requires agencies to quantify emissions from their food purchases and take steps to reduce these emissions by 25% by 2030 (10% by 2025, 18% by 2027). Requires DOEE to prepare an annual report (by 1 February 2025, and each February 1 thereafter) with recommendations for other procurement options that could be targeted to lower greenhouse gas emissions and recommendations to more quickly achieve reduction goals.
- Weaknesses
- Reduction targets lack ambition.
- Language is unclear regarding the need for plant-based procurement to achieve greenhouse gas emission targets and there is no mandate to include plant-based or vegan options in public procurements contracts.
- Reporting nor monitoring requirements do not apply to contracting agencies and the bill does not include periodic reporting requirements and adjustments based on "best available science."