When the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced their call for applicants for the 2021 round of the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grant program, there was a new area of focus — for the first time, USDOT seeks projects focused on climate change and environmental justice.

 

Specifically, the grants will support projects that focus on six objectives:

 

1.         Supporting economic vitality at the national and regional level

2.         Addressing climate change and environmental justice impacts

3.         Advancing racial equity and reducing barriers to opportunity

4.         Leveraging Federal funding to attract non-Federal sources of infrastructure investment

5.         Deploying innovative technology, encouraging innovative approaches to project delivery, and incentivizing the use of innovative financing

6.         Holding grant recipients accountable for their performance.

 

Sustainability is intertwined with racial equity

Sustainability and racial equity go hand in hand. Many individuals living in areas with major negative environmental impacts — such as near a landfill, industrial plant, bus garage or busy highway — are Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC). This is not a coincidence, and there is a constant need to improve environmental conditions and remove sources of pollution in and around these communities.

 

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The USDOT’s new focus on environmental justice is a step in the right direction to protect all people equally from environmental and health hazards. Project selection criterion will consider whether the proposed work will benefit underserved communities. This provides a unique advantage for businesses that have focused on equity-focused work in the past, with the potential to help changemaker organizations expand capacity for a greater impact.

 

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There is no racial justice without climate change solutions

The USDOT is acknowledging what many sustainable organizations have been addressing for years. With climate change continuing to negatively impact our world, taking steps like reducing carbon emissions is vital to a sustainable future. Now, we’re seeing grantees seek out this work in efforts to become more proactive.

 

A recent report on climate change showed that global warming could push 120 million people into poverty by 2030 — and polls show that BIPOC individuals want more action on climate change than White voters. This could be because these individuals are more likely to live in an area that experiences environmental racism, and therefore be subjected to environmental hazards on a more consistent basis. These individuals see what isn’t working and the risk it poses to their community. As their voices are amplified, it will create more opportunities for changemakers to partner at a local level and introduce sustainable solutions.

 

Related content: Explore sustainability work driven by Black changemakers.

 

Now’s the time for sustainability organizations to seek opportunities

This announcement from the USDOT will be the first of many that looks at sustainability through a racial equity lens. This year’s 2021 Environmental Initiative Awards winners are already immersed in work that drives racial justice forward through sustainable solutions.

  • Duluth Energy Systems led decarbonization efforts by introducing a new steam pipe infrastructure that will improve efficiency, water conversation and performance. This work occurred in an “environmental justice area” and intentionally employed women and BIPOC individuals. 

  • Second Chance Community Solar Garden installed solar gardens to provide inexpensive energy to subscribers. Rather than focusing on maximum profit, they worked with local partners to center the project around equity while breaking down barriers to support jobs in underserved communities.   

  • Akilah Sanders-Reed, Oil-Free Organizer at Power Shift Network, led a group effort to influence legal decisions regarding the Line 3 tar sands pipeline, including highlighting real experiences from those impacted by the proposed pipeline. She is continuing her work to build capacity for the climate movement.

 

Achieving racial equity will require intentional efforts at all levels. We believe that systems change is not only possible, but necessary for the future.

 

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