PCAP - Presidential Climate Action Project

(6) to document and define changes in the natural environment, includingthe plant and animal systems, and to accumulate necessary data and otherinformation for a continuing analysis of these changes or trends and aninterpretation of their underlying causes;(7) to report at least once each year to the President on the state andcondition of the environment; and(8) to make and furnish such studies, reports thereon, andrecommendations with respect to matters of policy and legislation as thePresident may request.The Office of Environmental Quality (the Office) is established in the Executive Office of thePresident (EOP) and provides the professional and administrative staff for the CEQ. TheChairman of the CEQ is the Director of the Office. 444 The Director shall assist and advise thePresident on policies and programs of the Federal Government affecting environmental quality.The duties of the Director are described in 42 U.S.C. § 4372(d), and the most relevant are:* * * * *(3) reviewing the adequacy of existing systems for monitoring andpredicting environmental changes in order to achieve effective coverageand efficient use of research facilities and other resources;(4) promoting the advancement of scientific knowledge of the effects ofactions and technology on the environment and encourage thedevelopment of the means to prevent or reduce adverse effects thatendanger the health and well-being of man;* * * * *(6) assisting the Federal departments and agencies in the development andinterrelationship of environmental quality criteria and standardsestablished through the Federal Government; and(7) collecting, collating, analyzing, and interpreting data and informationon environmental quality, ecological research, and evaluation.This proposal falls squarely within the mission of the Council.Work on sustainability indicators is already proceeding under the CEQ. The InteragencyWorking Group on Sustainable Development Indicators (SDI Group) reports to the CEQ. Sinceits conception in January 1994, the SDI Group has provided a forum for the exchange of ideas,444 42 U.S.C. §§ 4371(c)(2), 4372(a).CEES 114 | P age