Energy, environment and natural resources

Executive Order 12852: President's Council on Sustainable Development

President: Bill Clinton

Created a public-private presidential advisory council to develop a national sustainable-development strategy; EO 13138 later revoked the framework as completed.

Status: Revoked — by EO 13138 in 1999.

Is Executive Order 12852 still in effect? No. EO 13138 revoked it in 1999.

What does Executive Order 12852 do?

EO 12852 created an advisory council drawn from government, business and civic organizations to recommend a national sustainable-development strategy. The council issued a consensus report in 1996 and a final report to the President in May 1999. EO 13138 later described its work as completed and revoked the order as amended; the reports were recommendations, not changes in law.

Administration position: The order said environmental, economic and equity goals should be integrated into a national strategy. That was the administration’s organizing policy premise.
SignedJune 29, 1993
MembershipUp to 25 public- and private-sector members
Initial durationTwo years unless extended

Before and after

Before the order

There was no EO 12852 presidential council charged with developing this cross-sector strategy.

After the order

The council convened public- and private-sector members and advised the President until its work ended and its order was revoked.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
President’s CouncilDevelop and recommend a national sustainable-development strategyDuring its chartered term
Council membersAdvise on policy and implementationAs the council met
Federal agenciesProvide information and assistanceTo the extent permitted by law

What happened next

EO 12852 established the council.

The final extension set by EO 13114 ended.

EO 13138 identified the council’s work as completed and revoked EO 12852 as amended.