Defense Secretary Appoints Joe Bryan to DOD Chief Sustainability Officer Role

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, a two-time Wash100 awardee, has named Joe Bryan as the Department of Defense’s chief sustainability officer. Bryan most recently served as senior adviser to the secretary of defense on climate.

Austin said that Bryan’s “redesignation” is in accordance with President Joe Biden’s Dec. 8 Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability, Defense .gov reported Thursday.

According to the executive order, the chief sustainability officer will lead the department’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to pollution-free electricity, transition to cleaner light-duty vehicles, decarbonize buildings, increase energy and water efficiency, reduce waste and pollution, drive sustainable acquisition and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Bryan will represent the DOD on sustainability-related matters and will provide information and support to the newly established Office of the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer.

Defense .gov reported that Bryan is also in charge of updating the White House on the DOD’s progress in its sustainability efforts.

Prior to joining the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Bryan served as a principal at Muswell Orange, a boutique consultancy that advises companies on the government’s clean energy policies and programs.

He was previously the Department of the Navy’s deputy assistant secretary for energy, according to his LinkedIn profile. In the said role, he led the office responsible for the DoN’s energy policies and programs.

Bryan also served as the team leader of the professional staff of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee from 2007 to 2014.

He earned a master’s degree in energy and environmental policy from the University of Delaware‘s Center for Energy and Environmental Policy.