Interim Justice40 Guidance Demonstrates Biden Administration Commitment to Advancing Environmental Justice

“There can be no true environmental progress without environmental justice. Interim guidance released this week by the Biden-Harris Administration is a necessary start to centering environmental justice in all federal government policies and plans. Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian and other marginalized communities have been disproportionately harmed by pollution and other environmental impacts for far too long. And yet, solutions meant to correct those injustices often fall short because community members are not included in the decision making. EDF is committed to working alongside environmental justice and community leaders to help implement the Justice40 initiatives and encourage the momentum to find equitable climate solutions.

“The important goal of 40% of the benefits from federal climate and clean energy investments going to disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities, known as the Justice40 initiative, seeks not only to correct environmental injustices, but also to spur green job growth and expand the benefits of clean energy for these communities.

“We thank the Biden administration for following the lead of environmental justice stakeholders on these initial sets of guidelines and programs. Through the collective and active engagement with government agencies, local community groups and the entire environmental movement, we will continue to focus on how we can center justice in our work and establish authentic partnerships with the ever expanding network of people looking to find equitable solutions for environmental issues.”

• Margot Brown, Associate Vice President, Environmental Justice and Equity Initiatives