Summary

The Leveraging Decarbonization for Community Benefits Planning Symposium, co-organized by HFE and the Center for Just Energy Transition, convened community leaders, humanists, scientists, youth, and Arizona government officials to foster dialogue on achieving a just and equitable transition to renewable energy.

The event emphasized the development of strategies to ensure that community voices are not only heard but actively included at every stage of decarbonization projects. The symposium featured a keynote address by Shalanda H. Baker, Vice Provost of Sustainability and Climate Action at the University of Michigan and co-creator of Justice40. Justice40 is an initiative launched by the Biden-Harris Administration that directs 40% of the overall benefits from any federal investment in climate change action to disadvantaged communities. By prioritizing collaboration and inclusivity, the symposium aimed to offer Arizona community leaders and youth information and ideas about advancing actionable solutions that align renewable energy initiatives with community-driven benefits as inspired by Justice40.