Executive Order 14096: Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Justice for All

Executive Order 14096: Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All establishes a whole-of-government approach to advancing environmental justice, building on other recent Executive Orders that focus on racial equity, tackling the climate crisis, and investing equitably in resilient and low-carbon solutions. The EO defines environmental justice, calls on federal agencies to assess environmental hazards among historically marginalized communities, changes environmental reviews under NEPA, and establishes a White House Office of Environmental Justice. 

EO 14096 first defines environmental justice as “​​the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decision-making and other Federal activities that affect human health…” The definition establishes a goal of ensuring that all people have access to a resilient environment and are protected from adverse health and environmental effects and risks, including from climate change, cumulative impacts, and the legacy of structural and systemic barriers including racism.  

EO 14096 calls on all federal agencies to identify, analyze, and assess environmental hazards related to Federal activities that affect communities with environmental justice concerns. Additionally, agencies must assess their respective legal authorities to address these hazards. The executive order makes special considerations for interaction with Indigenous peoples, requiring federal agencies to consult with Tribal communities where federal actions may affect them. Federal agencies are also required by the executive order to ensure that recipients of federal funds and other entities that engage in business with the Federal government advance environmental justice goals. EO 14096 also requires agencies to “develop internal mechanisms to achieve the goals” of the EO, including through performance metrics, training, and professional development opportunities, and direction of agency staff and funding as needed.

Executive Order 14096 is written to ensure an agency focus on environmental justice and equity towards communities of color, Federal Tribes, and other underserved populations through:

  • New requirements in Federal responsibilities in NEPA and the Clean Air Act
  • Calling for greater collaboration with tribal communities and overburdened communities in evaluating air toxins and other pollutant-causing activities
  • Having each agency create an environmental justice strategic plan to further implement the goals of the executive order for each agency
  • Create a White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council to promote the Executive Order’s goals. 

EO 14096 also changes how Federal agencies administer environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Under NEPA, agencies must “analyze direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of federal actions on communities with environmental justice concerns,” consider best available science on health risks from exposure to toxins related to these activities, and provide underserved communities opportunities for “meaningful involvement in the environmental review process.” 

Each agency is required to create an environmental justice strategic plan and submit it to the Director of the Council on Environmental Quality to implement the executive order. The environmental justice strategic plan must be submitted by each agency to the director every four years and “identify and address opportunities through regulations, policies, permits, or other means to improve accountability and compliance with any statute the agency administers that affects the health and environment of communities with environmental justice concerns.” No later than two years following the submission, the agency that produces the environmental justice strategy plan must follow up the plan with an assessment of the progress towards the strategy’s implementation and any barriers.

EO 14096 also creates the White House Office of Environmental Justice. The office will be led by a Federal Chief Environmental Justice Officer who will advance EJ initiatives while coordinating with appropriate departments, look for opportunities to collaborate with state, local, and tribal governments, and advise the Chair of the CEQ on environmental justice issues.

Publication Date: April 21st, 2015

Resource Category:

Resource Types:

  • Agency guidance/policy
  • Legislation

Go To Resource