What Is EJ?

What Is Environmental Justice?

As an inherently grassroots movement, there is no single definition of “environmental justice” that applies to all communities, and community members remain free in most circumstances to define the term according to their own values. However, the most commonly used definition of “environmental justice” is the one adopted around 2000 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That definition is as follows:

Environmental Justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental law, regulations, and policies.

This EPA definition, including key pillars of “fair treatment” and “meaningful involvement,” has been widely adopted across the United States, to include EJ legislation in the states of California, New York, and Washington.

In 2023, reflecting experience and lessons learned over three decades, a new and expanded definition of “environmental justice” was established by President Biden through Executive Order 14096. That expanded definition, applicable to all federal agencies, provided as follows:

“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 so that people:

• are fully protected from disproportionate and adverse human health and environmental effects (including risks) and hazards, including those related to climate change, the cumulative impacts of environmental and other burdens, and the legacy of racism or other structural or systemic barriers; and

• have 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.

In 2025, President Trump repealed Executive Order 14096, including this new, expanded definition of environmental justice. Even so, the lessons and values reflected in this expanded definition may continue to guide thinking, policy, and action to address environmental injustice wherever it may be found, consistent with individual needs of communities.