What is the Justice40 initiative?
The Justice40 Initiative aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of federal investments in climate and clean energy, including sustainable transportation, to disadvantaged communities. But how are those communities determined, and who is left out?
This analysis looks at which communities are defined as disadvantaged in the Justice40 beta screening tool and which communities fall short. To get started, pick a census tract to see how that community scores.
Video Walkthrough
If you're new to using this tool, here's a video walkthrough of CNT’s analysis of the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool data.
Census Tract:
Select a census tract by clicking a location on the map.
Not Justice40 Disadvantaged
This census tract is not considered disadvantaged by Justice40 criteria.
Justice40 Disadvantaged
This census tract is considered disadvantaged by Justice40 criteria.
Not Justice40 Disadvantaged, but nearly meets its criteria
This census tract is not considered disadvantaged by Justice40 criteria.
However, this area has significant cumulative environmental justice burdens with thresholds in 0 of 8 categories met and 0 of 8 nearly met.
Not Justice40 Disadvantaged, but meets some criteria
This census tract is not considered disadvantaged by Justice40 criteria.
However, this area has some environmental justice burdens with thresholds in 0 of 8 categories met and 0 of 8 nearly met, and a high concentration of people of color (above the 65th percentile).
Not Justice40 Disadvantaged, but nearly meets its criteria
This census tract is not considered disadvantaged by Justice40 criteria.
However, this area has both significant cumulative environmental justice burdens with thresholds in 0 of 8 categories met and 0 of 8 nearly met and has a high concentration of people of color (above the 65th percentile).
Socioeconomic Indicators
Both poverty and education socioeconomic indicators must be met.
Poverty and Education
Percent of individuals below 200% Federal Poverty Line
(must be above 65th percentile)
Percent enrollment in college or graduate school
(must be below 20%)
Environmental and Climate Indicators
At least one indicator from any of environmental and climate categories below must reach the 90th percentile. Those that reach the 80th percentile are also shown to better demonstrate cumulative impacts.
Cumulative Impacts
Communities with environmental justice concerns are usually not burdened by a single environmental problem, but by many which have occurred over time and which exacerbate each other. The Justice40 beta screening tool does not consider this.
Number of categories reaching the 90th percentile: of 8
Number of categories reaching the 80th percentile: of 8
Climate change
Expected agricultural loss rate (min 90)
Expected building loss rate (min 90)
Expected population loss rate (min 90)
Clean energy and energy efficiency
PM2.5 in the air (min 90)
Clean transit
Diesel particulate matter exposure (min 90)
Traffic proximity and volume (min 90)
Affordable and sustainable housing
Percent pre-1960s housing (lead paint indicator) (min 90)
Median value ($) of owner-occupied housing units (max 90)
Reduction and remediation of legacy pollution
Proximity to hazardous waste sites (min 90)
Proximity to NPL sites (min 90)
Proximity to Risk Management Plan (RMP) facilities (min 90)
Critical clean water and waste infrastructure
Wastewater discharge (min 90)
Health burdens
Current asthma among adults 18 years or older (min 90)
Diagnosed diabetes among adults 18 years or older (min 90)
Coronary heart disease among adults 18 years or older (min 90)
Low life expectancy (min 90)
Training and workforce development
Low median household income as a percent of area median income (min 90)
Linguistic isolation (min 90)
Percent of individuals below 100% Federal Poverty Line (min 90)
Race
The Justice40 beta screening tool does not include race as a factor, despite evidence that environmental racism is closely linked to all of the indicators highlighted in the tool.
Non-Hispanic White
Percent of individuals who are not Non-Hispanic White (min 50)
White
%
Black
%
Hispanic *
%
Asian
%
Native Amerian
%
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
%
Other/Two or More Races
%
* Hispanic includes all categories of race
