Statement: White House Starts Translating President’s Bold Justice40 Vision into Reality to Secure Environmental and Economic Justice for Disadvantaged Communities

The White House has just released interim implementation guidelines on Justice40, President Biden’s initiative to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of relevant federal investments to disadvantaged communities. The administration identified 21 federal programs that will pilot the initial Justice40 implementation.

The co-authors of the Equitable & Just National Climate Platform, a coalition of environmental justice and national environmental organizations, issued this joint statement in response:

“With this strong directive to federal agencies, President Biden has begun translating his vision of securing environmental and economic justice for disadvantaged communities into reality on the ground. His Justice40 Initiative has great potential to deliver public health, economic, and environmental benefits to communities overburdened by pollution, racial, and economic inequality. It can help unravel systemic racism by making investments that address environmental, climate, racial, and economic injustices that have plagued low-income people and communities of color for decades.

We look forward to seeing federal agencies fully and effectively implement the White House guidance government-wide, so millions of people across the country living on the frontlines of toxic pollution and harm from climate change can count on a healthier, safer and prosperous future.”

The Platform celebrated its two-year anniversary on July 17. Two years ago, signatories to the platform achieved consensus on a historic plan calling for national climate action that confronts racial, economic, and environmental injustice as it enacts deep cuts in climate pollution and accelerates a pollution-free energy future that benefits all communities. The co-authors included leaders from a dozen environmental justice organizations and six national environmental groups. 

Platform co-authors and inaugural signatories:

Center for American Progress, Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy, Center for the Urban Environment, John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy, Kean University, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, Earthjustice, Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform, Harambee House–Citizens for Environmental Justice, League of Conservation Voters, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, Los Jardines Institute, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Midwest Environmental Justice Network, Natural Resources Defense Council, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, ReGenesis Project, Sierra Club, Tishman Environment and Design Center at the New School, Union of Concerned Scientists, WE ACT for Environmental Justice.