As the federal government moves in a direction that threatens to undo recent historic investments as well as decades of progress on climate policy, particularly for BIPOC-Frontline communities disproportionately impacted by climate change, the power of state action is even more vital. While we watch with anger and trepidation the rapid and aggressive dismantling, state climate justice (CJ) organizations offer a pathway to advance climate justice policy. At the forefront of this fight, these advocates are uniquely equipped to bridge the gap between community needs and actionable policy solutions. Their deep local knowledge, trusted relationships, and ability to align resources with grassroots priorities make them essential in ensuring equitable climate solutions. 

States are key to protecting progress and advancing transformative solutions, and Just Solutions remains committed to supporting state climate justice organizations and their priorities. We will be reaching out to groups across the country to better understand their challenges, explore ways to provide support, and invite participation in a new space designed to bring state leaders together.

In the meantime, here are five key opportunities where CJ advocates could engage in 2025:

1. Pushing for Ambitious Clean Energy Policies and Codify Protections

One opportunity states have is to double down on strong renewable energy policies, investments in affordable energy programs, and clean building mandates that will be abandoned federally. CJ advocates will be instrumental in ensuring these policies are designed to be equitable, bringing tangible benefits like job creation, energy savings, and pollution reductions to low-income and frontline communities. By codifying clean air and water protections and implementing stricter emissions standards, states can provide long-term safeguards against federal rollbacks. CJ advocates have knowledge to place community health and justice at the heart of these state policies. And as more state governments consider technology to mitigate climate change, advocates should approach technologies with great scrutiny and ensure equity goals are prioritized. Over-reliance on expensive, unproven technologies could risk diverting resources away from community-driven solutions like energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment, which are more accessible and provide immediate benefits.

2. Leveraging Federal and State Funds for Communities

Funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) may be uncertain, but advocates have the opportunity to play a key role in ensuring any funding that has gone out the door is directed to frontline communities by encouraging states to adopt and meet their own Justice40 commitments and prioritize accessible, community-led projects. Time-sensitive programs like the Energy Efficiency Home Rebate Program and EPA’s Solar for All initiative have been disbursed and offer immediate opportunities to address energy inequities and support clean energy projects. Advocates should also push for robust accountability measures to ensure utilities—key players in these efforts—deliver equitable benefits to the communities they serve.

3. Advancing Utility Accountability and Reform

Utility reform is essential for achieving climate goals and addressing affordability and public health in frontline communities. Advocates can push for decarbonization mandates, equitable rate structures, and investments in grid modernization to expand access to clean energy. These reforms not only lower costs but also improve air quality and health outcomes, especially for historically overburdened communities. 

4. Addressing Climate Disasters and Building Resilience

With climate disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods becoming more frequent and severe, CJ advocates can help policymakers prioritize resilience policies that directly benefit communities. States can invest in resilience hubs, climate-adapted infrastructure, and equitable disaster response programs, ensuring frontline communities are better prepared to withstand and recover from these events. Advocates can push for measures like hazard mitigation plans that center on vulnerable populations, funding for flood protections in high-risk areas, and rebuilding programs that reduce future risks. Building resilience isn’t just about disaster preparation—it’s about helping communities emerge stronger and more secure.

5. Building Statewide EJ Networks and Cross-State Collaboration

Scaling solutions and sustaining progress requires building powerful networks and fostering cross-state collaboration. Strong statewide coalitions amplify local advocacy, ensuring that community voices guide policy decisions. Collaborating with labor unions and other sectors can create the collective momentum needed to advance bold, equity-centered solutions. By sharing innovative ideas and successful strategies across states, advocates can help tackle broader challenges and replicate effective policies in diverse contexts.

While pushing for these changes will require navigating entrenched political and economic systems, state advocates are uniquely positioned to build the coalitions, expertise, and momentum needed to overcome these barriers.

Just Solutions’ States Program is dedicated to equipping advocates with the resources and support necessary to navigate challenges, build community power, and advance transformative policies centering frontline communities. One resource is Just States, a forthcoming newsletter offering tools, strategies, and insights for advancing equitable state-level climate solutions. This resource will empower advocates to:

• Learn from successful state CJ campaigns and best practices.
• Amplify community leadership in policy and advocacy.
• Stay informed about federal and state policies ideas/potential rollbacks

Our additional resources include:

• Webinars featuring insights from leading experts on implementing equitable climate policies.
• Policy analyses, white papers, case studies, and toolkits to inform the design of community-centered policies.
• Strategy Hubs to connect advocates across states and foster collaboration.
• Podcasts exploring climate justice topics and in-depth stories of successful advocacy campaigns.

By signing up for Just States and engaging with these resources, our hope is that advocates will have access to actionable insights to drive transformative change and scale innovative solutions.

Systemic change is an ongoing effort, each step forward—whether securing state funding for resilience projects or enacting local clean energy policies—contributes to a broader movement for justice and sustainability. Together, we can ensure that justice thrives and progress continues, creating a future where communities lead the fight for climate action—and win.