This guide aims to help state and local-level administrators optimize federal investments to benefit underserved communities in alignment with the Justice40 Initiative.

President Biden established the Justice40 Initiative through Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, which aims to ensure that at least 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.

Covered federal investments include: clean energy and energy efficiency; clean transit; affordable and sustainable housing; training and workforce development; the remediation and reduction of legacy pollution; and the development of critical clean water infrastructure. In addition, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget later added coverage of climate change investments in its implementation guidance.