In Focus: Environmental and Energy Justice in Climate Policy

Energy and environmental justice have been prioritized at the federal level over the past four years. For example, an executive order requires that 40 percent of the benefits of certain climate policies reach disadvantaged communities, and the Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions and funding to support a transition to clean energy in underserved communities. Suzanne Russo, a fellow at Resources for the Future (RFF) and director of RFF’s Environmental Justice Initiative, discusses a federal definition of energy justice, the incorporation of environmental justice in recent climate policies, and opportunities to further address to environmental justice moving forward.