In 1970 the U.S. Congress passed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which recognized the impact of human activity – urbanization, industrialization, growth in technology and population and industrial processes on the environment. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), a division of the Executive Office of the President, was tasked by NEPA with ensuring all federal environmental efforts in the United States.
The CEQ’s core responsibilities include producing the President’s annual environmental quality report to Congress, reviewing the environmental impact statements of major federal actions, advising the President on environmental matters, and collaborating with agencies to develop and implement environmental policies to address emerging environmental challenges. The Council plays a key role in promoting sustainability, resilience, and environmental stewardship within the framework of federal governance.
