Biden proposed a Justice40 Initiative to Tackle Environmental Injustices. Where Does it Stand Now?
Maliya
Ellis
March 22, 2022
Header image from bipocscholars.org

 In January of 2021, President Biden announced an Executive Order aimed at “tackling the climate crisis at home and abroad.” As part of the Order, Biden established the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC) to provide the administration recommendations on how to incorporate environmental justice considerations into federal climate policy. WHEJAC consists of prominent environmental justice leaders and advocates from across the nation. The Executive Order also introduced the Justice40 Initiative, which recommends that 40 percent of the benefits from designated Federal investments should be earmarked for alleviating climate injustices in disadvantaged communities. As part of the Initiative, Biden commissioned a report from WHEJAC, requesting detail on how this 40 percent  goal would be achieved, and how the federal government could focus investments in clean energy, clean transit, sustainable and affordable housing, among other policy areas. 

Four months later in late May, the newly created WHEJAC submitted their report in late May to the administration. The 90-page document contains specific recommendations on how the Administration can implement Justice40-friendly policies. Notably, the report recommends that the White House act to sunset investment in fossil fuels, switch to 100 percent renewables, and replace all lead water pipes in frontline communities by 2030. The report also suggests that local investments, not just federal, utilize a Justice40 framework as well, and that 100 percent of the investments (federal or otherwise) should do no harm to frontline communities. 

In a parallel effort,the HBCU Green Fund’s BIPOC Climate Scholars Project, in collaboration with the Land Peace Foundation and ACE National Framework Initiative, released recommendations for the Biden Administration in their Justice40 Policy Brief in May. The brief lays out recommendations for the Biden/Harris Administration to meet stated climate justice goals and is based upon conversations from the BIPOC Climate Justice Dialogue in early April. 

The BIPOC Climate Scholars Project Brief supplements and amends recommendations from WHEJAC. It places a similar emphasis on the importance of climate-just policy, but sees Justice40 as a potentially transformative framework. Instead of just 40 percent of benefits going to frontline communities, the brief proposes that 40 percent of investments go to communities on the frontline of climate change, and particularly to BIPOC-led communities and projects. The brief emphasizes the transformative potential of centering BIPOC leadership in climate policy and projects, and recommends that President Biden establish better interagency coordination and governmental processes to encourage and uplift such leaders. Participants at the BIPOC Climate Justice Dialogue expressed concern over the government’s historical inadequacies in serving disadvantaged communities. To avoid similar disappointments in the future, the brief makes the case for improved transparency and accountability around Justice40 investments, as well the creation of reliable and empirical performance metrics to track progress on environmental justice goals. 

Investments in clean energy and infrastructure and climate policy are popular with a majority of Americans - be they conservative, liberal or progressive. Biden’s explicit acknowledgement of climate justice as a longstanding issue, the creation of WHEJAC, and the proposal of the Justice40 Initiative are clear indications that the administration is open to constructive dialogue around what it means to create justice-oriented federal policy. If the White House acts on the recommendations laid out in the WHEJAC report and the BIPOC Climate Scholars’ Policy Brief, we may see enough alignment for truly transformative climate investments from the American government. Biden has already faced stiff opposition in the months since assuming office from conservatives and some Democrats over climate clauses within his proposed legislation, like in his trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. Passing environmental justice legislation will not be easy, but it is critical to righting long-standing wrongs and ensuring every citizen the equal right to a healthy, safe environment. 



Follow Us

Join Our Network

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Copyright © 2024  Global Center for Climate Justice  | Website Designed by Joshua Sisman, Nikki McCullough, Annie Wolfond, and Sofia Klein