VA Council on Environmental Justice

The Virginia Council on Environmental Justice advises the Governor and provides recommendations that maintain a foundation of environmental justice principles intended to protect vulnerable communities from disproportionate impacts of pollution. The Council was established by executive order in 2019 and made a permanent advisory body in the executive branch by the General Assembly in 2020 (Section 2.2-2699.9 et seq, Code of Virginia). The Council is comprised of 21 nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Governor and six ex-officio members from relevant secretariats and state agencies. The Virginia Environmental Justice Act (Section 2.2-234 et seq, Code of Virginia) provides definitions and other information about the Commonwealth’s commitment to environmental justice.

Environmental justice is a framework designed to ensure the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all individuals in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, siting, regulations, and policies, regardless of race, color, national origin, income, faith, or disability. Its primary objective is to guarantee that all communities receive equal protection from environmental hazards and have equitable access to decision-making processes that affect their environments. Ultimately, environmental justice aims to create a healthy environment for everyone, allowing individuals to live, learn, and work without facing disproportionate risks from pollution or environmental degradation.