Southeast Region Environmental Justice Network
10-Year Strategic Action Plan
*Condensed for This Conference
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Created By:
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Development of a 10-year Strategic Action Plan Will Assist Us With…
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Stakeholder Alignment: A ten-year strategic plan provides transparency and reassurance to stakeholders, including community, investors, and additional stakeholders about SEREJN’s long-term commitment and direction. This will foster trust and confidence in our committee’s cross-collaborative efforts.
Innovation and Adaptation: It encourages innovation and adaptation. A longer planning horizon allows for more innovative thinking, experimentation, and adaptation to new technologies and market conditions.
Measuring Progress: The 10-year strategic plan will provide a framework for measuring progress and success over time. Key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones will be established to track how well we are executing our long-term strategy.
Adaptability: While a ten-year strategic plan provides a roadmap, it should also be adaptable to changing circumstances. Regular reviews and adjustments are essential to ensure our plan remains relevant and effective.
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of removing dangerous or poisonous substances from the environment, or limiting the effect that they have on
4. Economic Opportunity: Providing individuals with jobs, income, a sense of purpose, and opportunities to improve their economic circumstances over time.
2. Resilience: Community resilience is the sustained ability of a community to use available resources to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations
3. Workforce: Initiatives that educate and train individuals to meet the needs of current and future businesses and industries to maintain a sustainable competitive economic environment.
6. Sustainability: The simultaneous pursuit of human health and happiness, environmental quality, and economic well-being for current and future generations. This includes the continuation of your organization's mission.
5. Innovation: New technologies and ideas to produce, generate, and distribute energy sustainably, so we can address challenges like reducing fossil fuel usage to achieve government targets and improve our overall sustainability.
Considerations in Implementing the 10-Year Action Plan
We should be considering how the goals of the SEREJN’s 10-year strategic action plan are aligned with our funding strategies that focus on the key issues that impact the states and communities and set the communities up for successful project implementation and sustainability. The approach and considerations that you should be identifying in your project planning are:
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*Partnerships: An arrangement between two or more people to oversee business operations and share its profits and liabilities. Check your CBAs!
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Environmental Justice
Landscape Assessment
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State Priorities
FL
FL
GEORGIA
SOUTH CAROLINA
NORTH CAROLINA
FLORIDA
GA
SC
NC
The state priorities were developed during both the Southeast Environmental Justice Convening, held in St. Simon, GA., and the Southeast Environmental Justice Summit held in Atlanta, GA. During that time, community-based organizations, and frontline leaders, came together to develop their list of the top state priorities in relation to environmental justice issues and restorative justice measures.
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Key Air and Water Issues Plaguing the Southeast Region (1/2)
Georgia experiences air quality challenges, particularly in metropolitan areas like Atlanta. Key pollutants of concern include ground-level ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
Florida faces air quality issues due to factors like transportation emissions, industrial activities, and weather conditions that can trap pollutants. Common pollutants include ozone, PM2.5, & volatile organic compounds
Alabama is influenced by industrial facilities, transportation, and weather patterns. Pollutants of interest include PM2.5, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO).
Mississippi deals with air quality issues, mainly in urban areas, due to emissions from vehicles and industrial sources. Notable pollutants include ozone, PM2.5, and lead.
Water contamination and access issues arise from factors such as industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and aging infrastructure that impact both the quality and availability of clean water for underserved/under resourced communities
Florida faces water contamination and access issues related to factors such as nutrient pollution in water bodies, sea-level rise affecting groundwater quality, and disparities in access to clean water, particularly in rural areas
Alabama’s disparities in water contamination concerns range from access to clean water to industrial and agricultural activities especially in rural areas
Water contamination challenges due to pollutants like nutrients, sediment, and industrial discharges as well as access to safe drinking water due to aging infrastructure. concern in certain areas, including rural communities.
STATES
AIR QUALITY DISPARITIES
WATER ACCESS DISPARITIES
GEORGIA
FLORIDA
ALABAMA
MISSISSIPPI
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Fundraising and
Mobilization
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Utilizing crowdfunding to raise funds from many individuals who support the cause. Create a compelling campaign that highlights the benefits of solarization for the community and encourages the community to contribute.
Various Fundraising and Mobilization Options(1/2)
Issue community bonds that allow community members and investors to invest in the project. These bonds can offer a fixed return on investment and help to raise the necessary capital.
Seek partnerships with cooperation that have a commitment to sustainability. Many companies have corporate social responsibility initiatives and may be interested in investing in projects that align with their values.
Enter energy performance contracts with energy service companies or utilities. These contracts allow the ESCOSs to provide the upfront capital for the project and recoup their investment through the energy savings generated by the solarization project over time.
Crowd
Funding
Community Bonds
Corporate Partnerships
Energy Performance Contracts
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Engage the community by creating a membership program where residents can contribute a small monthly fee to support sustainability projects. Offer benefits such as discounted energy bills, access to educational programs, or community events to incentivize participation.
Various Fundraising and Mobilization Options(2/2)
Attract impact investors who are interested in generating both financial returns and social/ environmental outcomes. Develop a strong business plan that demonstrates the financial viability and social impact of the project to attract these investors.
Explore financial models such as solar initiatives, where costs and benefits of solar energy are shared among multiple stakeholders. This allows individuals who can’t install solar panels on their own properties to benefit from renewable energy.
Provide educational programs and workshops to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability. Offer training on solar panel installation, energy efficiency, and related topics to empower community members and encourage their active participation.
Community-Supported Initiatives
Impact
Investing
Innovative
Financing
Models
Educational Programs and Workshops
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Harambee House, Citizens for Environmental Justice
Thank
You
Prepared by: Integrated Solutions