Environmental/Climate Justice

Guide for Embodying Justice in the Built Environment: Circularity in Practice

This guide and workbook explores justice principles and provides a framework for centering justice in embodied carbon policies and planning. Exploratory questions, designed as a workbook, guide the user through a process which centers meaningful community engagement in considering social, economic, and labor impacts and opportunities rooted in an understanding of the local historical context. Practical examples of strategies which embody justice provide insights and inspiration.

The 2024 Community Power Scorecard

The 2024 Community Power Scorecard from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance provides a measure of state policies related to energy democracy and utility accountability. State scores suggest lawmakers must take immediate action to improve. Of the 50 states and D.C., only one state scraped an above average grade (a B), 11 hit the C average, 13 received Ds, and 26 states received a failing F grade. This annual scorecard goes beyond greenhouse gas reductions or renewable generation capacity to evaluate how state policies help or hinder local clean energy action.

International Public Opinion on Climate Change: Extreme Weather and Vulnerability, 2023

Large majorities in every country and territory surveyed said they have experienced an extreme weather event. This report describes self-reported public exposure to and preparedness for extreme weather disasters among Facebook users in 73 countries, territories, and geographic groups (hereafter referred to as “areas”) that are classified as “low-emissions” based on both their below-average per-capita CO2 emissions and low per-capita income. Majorities in all countries and territories reported experiencing an extreme weather event.

10 Tips for how the Climate Movement can Improve Experiences for Activists with Diverse Health Needs

There is a growing awareness of the urgent need to create activist spaces that are accessible, welcoming and provide material support for people with diverse health needs. But how can this actually be achieved? This resource summarizes the activists’ experiences, insights and recommendations that they shared in the interviews. Offer material support. Provide a diversity of actions for people to take part in. Normalize people coming in and out of movements as their needs and circumstances change. Have designated welcoming and support roles in groups to make sure every new member feels welcome.

The Federal Funding Primer on Climate Justice

This Federal Funding Primer on Climate Justice provides an invaluable roadmap for navigating the maze of funding opportunities provided by Justice40, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The Justice40 Initiative is a requirement of Executive Order 14008 and mandates that 40 percent of the benefits from environmental and climate justice related federal investments go to communities that are disadvantaged, underserved, or overburdened by pollution.

Unlocking Clean Energy Incentives for Underserved Communities

The Inflation Reduction Act provides an unprecedented opportunity to foster more equitable participation in clean energy development and channel resources into historically marginalized communities. Because of the IRA’s Direct Pay provision, nonprofits, and state, local, and Tribal governments can now access tax credits over 10 years for clean energy projects in underserved communities. This democratizes energy, unlocking the potential for diverse entities across the U.S. to own clean energy assets as a wealth-building opportunity.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: Best Practices for Equity And Governance

Environmental justice communities can be meaningfully centered and empowered within the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund program. Prioritize direct benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities. Community engagement should be incorporated throughout awardees’ operations, including in their overall governance structure and business plan. Create accountability to local and impacted communities, especially low-income and disadvantaged communities. Operate with transparency, which is a prerequisite for accountability, and helps to build trust with communities and other stakeholders.

Just Infrastructure

This website is a celebration of Just Infrastructure projects taking root as federal water dollars flow. It is also a storytelling resource for those pushing for equitable spending and future funding. For example, from urban greening in New Orleans and Chicago to drought preparedness in the San Joaquin Valley and the Navajo Nation, federal funding and local organizing are laying the groundwork for a just and resilient water future. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act together include more than $60 billion for water projects.
Subscribe to Environmental/Climate Justice