Environmental justice connects the health of communities to the responsibility of corporations. The Environmental Justice Initiative identifies and challenges the practices that perpetuate environmental racism and works with companies and communities to build solutions that protect people and reduce systemic harm. 

Many industrial facilities and extractive operations are located near neighborhoods historically excluded from economic opportunity. These “sacrifice zones” are areas where pollution and poverty reinforce one another, disproportionately affecting low-income and minority populations. Impacts are measurable, including higher rates of respiratory illness, reduced life expectancy, and persistent economic disadvantage. 

As You Sow collaborates with environmental justice advocates and impacted communities to amplify local experience within corporate and investor dialogues. Through outreach and coalition building, our team supports community-led goals and builds long-term partnerships that link grassroots advocacy to shareholder action. 

This work began within the Racial Justice Initiative in 2021, which incorporated four key environmental justice indicators into its Racial Justice Scorecards. In early 2024, environmental justice became an independent initiative, reflecting its growing importance to investors and corporate leaders. 

Our corporate engagement strategy encourages companies to adopt an environmental justice risk management lens. By examining where operations and supply chains intersect with vulnerable communities, companies can identify material risks, prevent environmental harm, and protect brand reputation. These conversations are grounded in community experience, scientific data, and real-world case studies that demonstrate how equity-based decision-making benefits both people and business. 

Explore more through: 
• Environmental Justice Case Studies 
• Racial Justice Scorecard Data Visualization Tool 

Addressing environmental injustice creates shared value. When companies invest in equitable environmental practices, they protect communities, reduce operational risk, and strengthen the foundation for a just and sustainable economy.