Environmental Justice
GSA and Environmental Justice
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 laws, regulations, and policies. On February 11, 1994, the President signed Executive Order (EO) 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority and Low-Income Populations. EO 12898 focuses federal attention on the environmental and human health conditions of minority and low-income populations with the goal of achieving environmental protection for all communities. The EO established an interagency working group (EJIWG) chaired by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, and named executive agencies and offices required to participate. At that time, GSA was not included.
On August 4, 2011, GSA and 15 other federal agencies signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Justice and EO 12898. Among other actions, the EJ MOU adopts an updated charter for the EJIWG; reaffirms the importance of identifying and addressing EJ considerations in the programs, policies, and activities of federal agencies, including those not named in EO 12898; and provides that a signatory agency becomes a Participating Agency consistent with EO 12898.
GSA Environmental Justice Strategy
GSA is committed to meeting the goals of Executive Order 12898, "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations" which states that each federal agency should make environmental justice part of its mission. Below is the first ever GSA Environmental Justice Strategy. Please feel free to submit comments or suggestions on GSA’s environmental justice efforts to: EJStrategy@gsa.gov.
GSA Environmental Justice Strategy
Background
• 12898 Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-income Populations
• Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Justice and EO 12898
