From day one, the Biden-Harris Administration named racial equity and climate as immediate priorities, and have called on a whole-of-government approach to address two of the most important and urgent challenges of our time.
Of course, these issues are related, often intersecting, and so the Administration has created the Justice40 Initiative, that aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of federal investments in climate and sustainable transportation to disadvantaged communities. Read more about the Justice40 Initiative below
As the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT or Department) develops its approach to Justice40, we need to hear from you.
Participate in Our Public Meetings
In November 2021, USDOT will host two virtual public meetings related to the Justice40 Initiative. During these interactive meetings, you will hear from senior USDOT leaders about the Justice40 Initiative and be asked for input on it. Both sessions will be open to the public, but content will differ based on the expected prior knowledge of participants. Members of impacted communities are encouraged to participate, as are potential USDOT funding recipients such as state, regional, and local government agencies, tribal nations, academic institutions, community-based, non-profit, and private-sector organizations.
Please see the description of these sessions below and register to attend one or both based on your interest.
Session #1: On November 9, from 12:00pm ET– 1:00pm ET, USDOT will host the first session in a two-part interactive series on the Justice40 initiative. This first session will introduce the Justice40 initiative and discuss the benefits that transportation investments can bring to disadvantaged communities. The session will assume no prior knowledge of USDOT structure, programs, funding mechanisms, or terminology.
Session #2: On November 16, from 12:00pm ET– 1:30pm ET, USDOT will host the second session in a two-part interactive series on the Justice40 initiative. This second session will ask participants to provide input on the types of data and metrics that USDOT can use to develop a framework for transportation programs impacting communities. The session will assume some prior knowledge of USDOT structure, programs, funding mechanisms, and terminology as well as the types of data used in environmental justice and related fields. Though not required, participants are encouraged to attend session #1 for additional context ahead of session #2.
More about Justice 40
On January 27, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order (EO) 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad” which created a government-wide “Justice40 Initiative” that aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of relevant federal investments to disadvantaged communities. Through the implementation of this Administration priority, the Department will develop a methodology to identify disadvantaged communities and benefits for Justice40-covered programs, consistent with guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and relevant statutory authorities.
The Justice40 Initiative is also aligned with the goals of EO 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” and will be implemented as part of the Department’s broader equity agenda.
Additional Resources
White House Interim Guidance for the Justice40 Initiative
White House Blog Post on The Path to Achieving Justice40
U.S. Department of Transportation Request for Information on Transportation Data and Assessment Methods and Related Information Session