On April 21st 2023 the fight against environmental racism took an important step forward. As You Sow commends President Biden and his administration on signing the Executive Order 12898: Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All. Stating that “racism is a fundamental driver of environmental injustice,” the Order lays out concrete steps to overcome years of denial and neglect. Biden's order explicitly establishes EJ as central to the missions of every executive branch agency, acknowledging that EJ is a fundamental part of the country’s civil rights and environmental laws. The EO emphasizes the importance of community involvement and participation in federal decision-making, acknowledging that this has been a barrier in the past. Further, the Order mandates that communities be notified in cases where toxic substances are released from federal facilities.

Under Executive Order 12898, federal agencies will make environmental justice core to their mission and practices; requiring each to create agency-wide environmental justice strategies, amongst other important goals. This order sets a standard for governmental and non-governmental organizations alike. Identifying and addressing issues of environmental racism, such as adverse health effects, within agencies programs, policies and activities can be a blueprint for public companies.  

As You Sow’s Racial Justice Initiative is contributing to the ongoing effort of identifying and highlighting environmental injustices in the U.S. by educating companies through shareholder engagement and motivating them to create environmentally just business practices.

We have a multiprong approach to our environmental justice work, which starts with acknowledging and identifying the problem through a research-based, data-focused approach. For too long, public companies have been complicit in perpetuating environmental injustices against BIPOC and low-income communities. Within our Racial Justice Scorecard we have four key performance indicators (KPIs) focused on environmental (in)justice. These KPIs serve to create a corporate track record on environmental related actions by looking at EPA fines, violations, related lawsuits, as well as other adverse effects on BIPOC communities for the past five to ten years.

Using this information, we strategically identify companies lagging behind their peers due to large scale environmental injustices. As shareholder advocates, we help the company to understand that continuing down this path will incur a material risk to shareholders, as well as the company’s brand value.

To build this case, we engage directly with front-line community advocates and organizations who have effectively led the charge against environmental racism in their respective neighborhoods for decades. We highlight their voices, concerns and efforts and uplift their message to corporate boardrooms.

Our community engagement approach is adapted from the National Community Development Institute and as such maintains the principles that communities deserve to be informed and have a voice regarding the needs and issues that affect their livelihood; to learn and be provided with information about strategies to solve problems effectively; and to decide and define goals as they are understood within their own authentic language, culture, and community. These elements are essential for building trust, increasing dialogue with corporate partners, improving community outcomes, and promoting social cohesion.

Bridging our community engagement efforts with the tenants of social and environmental justice is a strategy that breeds community empowerment. As change agents we see our work as an opportunity for community members to take action on the issues that affect them. This empowerment leads to more control and ownership of community development and greater self-efficacy.

Using the EO as a blueprint, public companies should begin to interpret their business practices and policies through a racial and environmental justice lens. Additional resources such as the Corporate Racial Equity Alliance’s Standards for Corporate Performance Standards on Racial and Economic Equity encourage companies to monitor environmental impact, mitigate and prevent harm, and incorporate an equitable environmental strategy.  As You Sow will serve as a partner for companies on this journey as our work and research continue to address and challenge systemic barriers to creating healthy, equitable environments for BIPOC and low-income communities.