US Department of Labor joins 6 federal agencies in agreement to implement American Climate Corps

WASHINGTON – Today, the Biden-Harris administration is taking critical steps to advance the American Climate Corps, a landmark initiative announced by President Biden in September 2023 to train the next generation of clean energy, conservation and climate resilience workers, while putting them on a path to good-paying union jobs. 

As part of this commitment, the Department of Labor joins six federal agencies – the departments of Commerce, Interior, Agriculture, Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and AmeriCorps – in a Memorandum of Understanding that will serve as a blueprint for the multiagency program. The memorandum lays out the mission, goals, priorities and next steps for implementing President Biden’s American Climate Corps.

Beginning in January, senior administration officials will convene a series of virtual listening sessions to hear directly from prospective American Climate Corps applicants and implementing partners, including labor unions, educational institutions, employer partners, and state, local and Tribal governments about their priorities for the American Climate Corps. The sessions will inform the implementation of this historic new initiative. Learn more about the virtual listening sessions. 

“As part of President Biden’s American Climate Corps, the Department of Labor is doing its part to make sure these opportunities are equitable and accessible for all workers,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “This whole-of-government partnership reflects our commitment to train tens of thousands of young people to tackle the climate crisis while putting them on a path to good jobs.”

Under the MOU, agencies are agreeing to the following American Climate Corps’ principles:

• Reflect a comprehensive approach to tackling climate change. 
• Build upon and expand existing partnerships, while also initiating new partnerships in communities across the country.
• Compensate members to ensure the initiative is accessible to all.
• Provide a pathway to high-quality employment.
• Expand workforce pathways in and led by disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution.
• Serve all of America’s communities by improving climate resilience, reducing climate pollution, and by creating economic opportunity in our urban, rural, suburban and wilderness remote areas. 

The memorandum also establishes an Executive Committee – comprised of the Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor, CEO of AmeriCorps, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Energy, and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency – that will provide leadership across the federal government for the American Climate Corps, as well as a working group to formally carry out and implement the initiative.

Within the first three weeks of launching the American Climate Corps, more than 40,000 people, about two-thirds of whom are ages 18-35, expressed interest in joining the initiative. The American Climate Corps is on track to establish the first cohort of members in the summer of 2024.