Issue: Environmental/Climate Justice

At least 7 in 10 New Jerseyans support each of the six key components of the Clean Energy Equity Act, a bill that aims to help low-income New Jersey families benefit from solar, storage and energy efficiency.

Vote Solar’s “Just Partnership Principles were established in 2020 and will be used by staff and partners to hold Vote Solar accountable to our values. We aspire to grow as an organization in our ability to not only challenge injustice and advance just energy for all, but also to contribute meaningfully to the broad movement working to dismantle systems of oppression and build a regenerative future.”

Defines a “Regenerative Economy” in terms of the values, processes, and policies it entails.

This guide offers an “equity-based” approach to climate policy with suggestions for improving dialogues and collaborating to advance justice.

     
Review of research on the equity implications of a clean energy transition (how such a transition could negatively impact some groups and communities), and ‘just transition’ policies meant to abate those effects. The literature suggests that energy and climate policies and programs must specifically embed equity and social justice within climate change mitigation goals and emphasize commitments to job training and economic development to support those folks adversely affected by the transition away from fossil fuels to new, renewable sources of energy. (As Climate Justice Alliance phrases it, “Transition is inevitable. Justice is not.”)    

In response to the police killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Beronna Taylor, Tony McDade, and too many others, the Lab’s Executive Director, Sean Kosofsky, wrote to the Lab community to share the Lab team’s commitment to Black & Brown Lives.