Climate Science and Policy

Racist and discriminatory policies of the past — such as chronic disinvestment and redlining — have created environmental, health and socioeconomic inequality in many low-income communities and communities of color. Building decarbonization provides an opportunity to address these inequalities and design new policies that center equity and are intentional in providing benefits to the communities who need them most. A robust understanding of the broader equity implications of decarbonizing the building sector is key to ensuring that existing disparities are not perpetuated and that the benefits and opportunities beyond mitigating greenhouse gas emissions are fully realized. While this work provides an opportunity to address inequality, there may also be unintended negative consequences that result from these efforts if equity is not prioritized. This report examines equity in building decarbonization, synthesizing current literature, frameworks and reports to provide a cross-sectoral understanding of the critical issues and opportunities at the intersection of climate, health, energy, and housing. It serves to provide awareness of the interconnectedness of these issues and promote collaboration in creating holistic, equity-centered policies and programs — ones that not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but address critical issues and opportunities related to health and safety, energy burden, accessibility, and housing and labor.