The Sustainability Practitioners Network held a successful event focusing on the theme of environmental sustainability and social equity. The gathering brought together sustainability professionals, community leaders, and stakeholders from various sectors to discuss and promote social equity and environmental justice within sustainability initiatives.
Speakers (in order of appearance):
- Councilwoman Erika Strassburger
- Councilwoman Strassburger, a member of Pittsburgh City Council, shared her experiences and challenges in promoting social equity through legislation and community engagement. She discussed recent legislative successes, such as the passing of the plastic bag ban and lead pipe replacement initiatives. Councilwoman Strassburger emphasized the importance of building trust within communities by actively engaging with a diverse range of external groups, including those who are often underrepresented, to ensure all voices are heard. She also highlighted the significance of maintaining consistent and strong internal leadership within organizations, ensuring that the commitment to sustainability and equity is deeply embedded in the organizational culture and operations. This approach fosters long-term trust and collaboration with the community.
- Eos and Main St. & Associates
- Representatives from Eos Energy Enterprises and Main Street and Associates, including Chad FitzGerald (Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Public Affairs, Eos), Tina Doose (Associate Principal, Main ST & Associates), Lori Rue (Executive Director, Main ST & Associates), Patricia DeMarco (Consultant, Main ST & Associates), and Hailey Chappell (Public Affairs Associate, Eos), provided insights into their collaborative work on Community Benefits Plans (CBPs). A CBP is a strategic agreement between a company and the local community that outlines how the company’s projects will bring social and economic benefits to the area. They highlighted the importance of engaging with community members and working together to address community needs. The speakers shared how Eos partnered with Main Street, leveraging their long-standing efforts in community development to secure funds and implement sustainable practices, focusing on workforce development and housing advocacy. This collaborative approach proved to be a win-win for both the company and the community. Eos benefited from a more stable and skilled workforce, while the community saw improvements in housing and local economic development. By aligning their business goals with community needs, Eos and Main Street were able to create a sustainable model of mutual growth and success.
- Jaime Simmons from Covestro Center for Community Engagement
- Jaime Simmons, Associate Director at the Covestro Center for Community Engagement, discussed the role of community partnerships in achieving social equity goals. She highlighted the center’s initiatives, such as BoardsWork! and SkillShare, which aim to build meaningful connections between businesses and nonprofits to foster community development.
Breakout Groups:
During the breakout sessions, participants engaged in deep discussions on various aspects of environmental justice and the challenges faced by their communities. They explored definitions of environmental justice, emphasizing the need to focus on underinvested communities, validate lived experiences, and ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities. Attendees discussed how their organizations have started addressing environmental justice, with initiatives like reducing diesel emissions, ethical sourcing, and considering environmental product declarations. Key issues identified included transportation, air quality, litter, access to capital, affordable housing, education, green spaces, health and environmental issues, and the need for better communication between organizations and communities. Participants explored ways to measure their organization’s impact on the community and shared ideas for enhancing community engagement, such as conducting impact assessments and building strong relationships with community stakeholders.
Key Takeaways:
- Collaboration is Crucial: The event underscored the need for collaboration between various stakeholders, including government, businesses, and community organizations, to promote social equity effectively.
- Community Engagement: Building strong, trust-based relationships with communities is crucial for the success of social equity projects. Engaging with diverse groups and maintaining open communication channels were highlighted as vital components.
- Actionable Insights: Providing practical and actionable insights was emphasized as a way to ensure that attendees could implement what they learned within their organizations. Sharing best practices, resources, and successful case studies helps drive real progress in social equity efforts.
Acknowledgements:
Special thanks to all the speakers, panelists, attendees, and the University of Pittsburgh for their contributions to a successful event. We look forward to continuing our collective efforts to promote social equity within sustainability initiatives.