Historically underserved communities and communities of color have been at higher risk of climate-related health, safety, and wealth-building issues because of discriminatory planning, land-use, and housing policies. SGA advocates for policies, investments, and strategies to remove or eliminate carbon emissions while taking the needs of communities most severely affected into account.
Smart Growth America (SGA) is actively partnering with community-based organizations across the United States to tackle climate change and land use issues. These collaborations aim to enhance climate resilience and adaptation strategies, focusing on creating development outcomes and land-use policies that support equitable climate adaptation, especially for underserved communities. By advocating for policy changes that address racist land-use and transportation practices, SGA seeks to mitigate the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.
Supported by the Kresge Foundation’s Climate Change, Health, and Equity (CCHE) initiative, SGA has partnered with Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE) on a three-year implementation plan to promote racial equity, with an overarching goal to develop and advance systemic processes that create opportunities for energy equity, health equity, and economic inclusion.
We envision sustainable, equitable, and resilient communities
Learn more about our organizational priorities.
Racial equity, climate mitigation and resilience, and healthy communities
