Equity is not an add-on or extra; it is central to the Department’s mission.
USDA Strategic Plan
(9.56 MB)
"To serve all Americans by providing effective, innovative, science-based public policy leadership in agriculture, food and nutrition, natural resource protection and management, rural development, and related issues with a commitment to deliverable equitable and climate-smart opportunities that inspire and help America thrive."
Environmental Justice - USDA's Commitment
- What is Environmental Justice
“Environmental justice” means the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability in agency decision-making and other federal activities that affect human health and the environment. Achieving environmental justice, as outlined in Executive Order (EO) 12898 from 1994 and EO 14096 from 2023, is contingent on equitable access to a healthy, sustainable, and resilient environment in which to live, play, work, learn, grow, worship, and engage in cultural and subsistence practices.
- Our Commitment to You
Given that USDA's programs impact almost every American every day, the Department is well positioned to support the development of inclusive, sustainable economies, protection from environmental harms, and equitable investment by USDA programs and services across diverse landscapes and communities. USDA’s vision for environmental justice is not only to institutionalize environmental justice principles across USDA, but to continuously improve our ability to equitably serve all Americans and make a positive difference in the lives of communities that have been overburdened and underserved.
- How might USDA’s commitment and efforts impact me or my community?
- USDA is committed to serving all Americans by providing effective, innovative, science-based public policy leadership in agriculture, food and nutrition, natural resource protection and management, rural development, and equitable delivery of climate-smart opportunities that inspire and help Americans to thrive.
- USDA is committed to supporting inclusive, sustainable economies; mitigating legacy pollution; protecting communities from environmental hazards; promoting climate-smart solutions to agriculture and energy; implementing consistent, meaningful public engagement; and addressing barriers to access of federal resources, services, and programs.
- USDA is committed to, to the degree feasible, minimizing the disproportionately high and adverse impacts of its activities and investments on communities with environmental justice concerns and to addressing and resolving environmental justice issues and complaints as they arise.
- USDA is committed to integrating the best education, research, outreach, and technical assistance into programs so they meet the needs of our stakeholders and customers in communities with environmental justice concerns.
- USDA is committed to working collaboratively with federal, Tribal, state, and local governments, non-governmental organizations, and private individuals to address the underlying conditions that put people and communities at risk and to assisting communities across the Nation in striving to achieve environmentally suitable living and working conditions.
- USDA is committed to increasing the awareness, skills, and abilities of USDA leadership and staff regarding environmental justice and will strive to ensure sufficient capacity to support work related to environmental justice.
- USDA Environmental Justice Strategic Plan
USDA Environmental Justice Strategic Plan 2024 (PDF, 477 KB)
- Environmental Justice Scorecard
The annual White House Environmental Justice Scorecard is the first-ever government-wide assessment of actions the Federal government is taking to advance environmental justice. USDA’s Scorecards assess the Department’s investments and actions associated with the Justice40 Initiative, efforts in support of the Civil Rights Act and other laws, and the Department's progress in institutionalizing environmental justice through staffing, policies, activities, stakeholder engagement, and decision processes.
You may view USDA’s Phase Two Environmental Justice Scorecard, covering activities and accomplishments from October 1st, 2022, through September 30, 2023. You may also view USDA’s Phase One Scorecard, covering activities and accomplishments from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022.
- The Justice40 Initiative
The Justice40 Initiative, launched through Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, sets a government-wide goal of directing 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments from covered programs to flow to disadvantaged communities that have been marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
As of November of 2023, USDA has 70 Justice40 Initiative covered programs that achieve outcomes related to: climate change, clean energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, environmental remediation, and reduction of legacy pollution, as well as infrastructure development for clean water and wastewater.
