The CEJST is a critical component of the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic commitment to advancing environmental justice. In Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, President Biden directed the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to develop a geospatial mapping tool to identify disadvantaged communities that face burdens. The tool has an interactive map and uses datasets that are indicators of burdens.

Federal agencies will use the tool for the Justice40 Initiative. It will help them identify disadvantaged communities that should receive 40% of the overall benefits of programs included in the Justice40 Initiative. The Justice40 Initiative seeks to deliver 40% of the overall benefits in climate, clean energy, and other related areas to disadvantaged communities.

The public can find communities of interest and provide feedback. This feedback will be used to improve the tool.