Climate Policy Wins Led by Frontline Communities Deliver Great Impact
The Solutions Project releases 2024 analysis of major environmental and climate justice wins across the U.S.
OAKLAND, Calif., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Just Solutions, in partnership with The Solutions Project, released a new report, "Analysis of Innovative Environmental & Climate Policy Achievements," that showcases nine community-driven policy wins that are advancing solutions to the climate crisis at the local, state, and federal levels. These policies have the potential to benefit more than 41 million people and unlock over $4.3 billion in public investments annually.
These policies were the result of multi-year community organizing campaigns led by frontline groups, most of which are Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color, reflecting the fact that these communities are disproportionately impacted by climate change. These wins help combat and mitigate environmental harm, while also creating job opportunities, driving clean energy, and public health investments.
"At a moment when the federal government is attempting to gut climate investments, and rollback legislation and hard won progress, this report provides evidence of on the ground expertise and what's possible when frontline communities are resourced to lead," said Gloria Walton, President & CEO of The Solutions Project. "Our grantee partners aren't just shaping policy, they are creating bold, lasting impact to show what a Just Transition looks like in action. Together, these wins offer a roadmap for climate policies that centers equity and accountability. Now more than ever, we have to trust community leaders and resource them like never before."
Major policies highlighted in the report include:
- New York's Climate Superfund Act that requires fossil fuel companies to pay an estimated $3 billion annually to fund climate resilience
- Chevron Settlement in Richmond, CA which resulted in a historic $550 million over 10 years investment to the communities from one of the country's largest polluters
- Federal EPA rule on chemical emissions, a major win for Gulf South communities that have been organizing for years to reduce toxic pollution
"The findings show that solutions to the climate crisis are all around us, being developed and advanced by the local communities directly and disproportionately impacted," said Aiko Schaefer, Director of Just Solutions. "Positive change is not only possible, it is actually happening in so many places already. What is needed is more funding to scale and to replicate successful programs, support new ideas, and enforce and protect climate solutions that already exist."
While the wins highlighted in the report are significant, many are now under political threat from the current administration. Sustained philanthropic support is critical to defend and support these wins, to scale proven models that work, and advance new community-driven policies.
Contact: Ming Liu
Ming@thesolutionsproject.org
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SOURCE The Solutions Project