Justice40: A brief overview and discussion of the future

The Justice40 Initiative aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits from federal investments in climate and clean energy are directed to disadvantaged communities. The Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) is a specialized screening tool to identify areas most in need of support. Many areas in Indianapolis with Black populations higher than 60% have been labeled “disadvantaged,” meaning they have been marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. What is the Justice40 Initiative and why does it matter? During his State of the Union Speech in 2022, President Joe Biden promised the American people that he would create jobs, and “Do it all to withstand the devastating effects of climate change and promote environmental justice.” The Justice40 Initiative was introduced shortly thereafter and focuses on sending clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing and other investments to disadvantaged communities. Executive Order 14096 was signed in April 2023 to ensure this happened. In Indianapolis, the CEJST tool has identified several areas with high Black and minority populations as potential recipients of these investments. For example, the Martindale-Brightwood area has nearly 90% Black residents and is identified as being disadvantaged for a number of reasons: Low income (80th percentile) Energy...