Closing plenary of the

US Climate Action Summit

Building a just and equitable economy

Justice40 aims to ensure Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds have an equity lens. But how do we maintain momentum on climate justice and provide meaningful investment to embed equity into the clean economy? In order to deliver a just transition given recent developments in the capital.

As we plan and transition to net zero, adopt and deploy clean technologies and solutions, and implement climate policies, equity and justice must be at the heart of our decisions and projects. The closing session discusses how, regardless of the means, we can ensure people are placed at the heart of this transition. To create a cleaner economy and ensure sufficient investment in equity.

Discussion topics:

Will the BIL create a more just and equitable economy, what more will be required through states and business action?
Why is funding support so critical for a just transition and what impact will the America Competes bill have?
How can we ensure this renewed federal climate agenda, state-based net zero plans, and business action underpin and create American jobs and just transition?

Watch the conversations from the day moderated by our own North America Executive Director, Angela Barranco.

Angela welcomed our attendees back, giving thanks to our speakers from our opening plenary. She then introduced our central theme for the closing plenary, the importance of incorporating environmental justice in our shift to a green economy.

We were thrilled to be joined by Secretary Xavier Becerra from the US Department of Health and Human Services for a discussion on climate, health, and equity. Watch Angela and Secretary Becerra's full conversation now:

The session saw us joined by three policymakers who are working towards ensuring that the net zero transition is one that benefits people across all communities. The discussion saw us cover the important topic, of 'justice, jobs, and the BIL'. Join our speakers:

Basil Seggos, Commissioner of the New York State Department for Environmental Conservation
Shalanda H. Baker, Secretarial Advisor on Equity and Deputy Director for Energy Justice
Jahi Wise, Senior Advisor for Climate Policy and Finance, White House

After an incredible day featuring a variety of leaders from across the climate space, Angela Barranco summarised the day and the takeaways moving forward:

This gathering built on the success of President Biden's 2021 Leader's Summit to boost state climate strategies and business action.

We presented two action-packed plenary sessions across the day, where we heard from influential guest speakers on how to deliver climate action, fast. Check out how the opening plenary unfolded.

Thank you for the support of all of you who watched along, as we drove conversations on climate action in the US. We'd also like to thank McKinsey Sustainability, our Headline Partner and National Grid, our Supporter Sponsor for helping us to make this event such a success.