[Affirming the Commission’s Commitment to Racial Equity in the Department of the Environment’s Programs, Policies and Services]
Resolution affirming the Commission on the Environment’s commitment to racial equity and directing the Department of the Environment to undertake a Racial Equity Initiative and develop a Racial Equity Action Plan with measurable outcomes.
WHEREAS, the San Francisco Human Rights Commission states that racial equity means to close the gaps so that race does not predict one’s success while also improving outcomes for all; and,
WHEREAS, addressing institutional racism across all levels of government requires leadership and political will; and,
WHEREAS, under Mayor Ed Lee’s leadership, the City and County of San Francisco developed a Strategic Planning Framework in which racial equity and inclusion were identified as key priorities for all City operations and Departmental services; and,
WHEREAS, the Department of the Environment (Department) has committed to racial equity and inclusion in its own Departmental Strategic Plan: “Our programs benefit all residents and businesses in San Francisco and focus on supporting those communities most in need. All our initiatives are underpinned by a commitment to inclusiveness and accessibility”; and,
WHEREAS, San Francisco and other cities across the nation are part of a movement to eliminate institutional racism in partnership with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), a national network dedicated to achieving racial equity and advancing opportunities for all; and,
WHEREAS, the Department’s ongoing participation in GARE has given staff the training, tools, and support to build the Department’s organizational capacity to advance racial equity in its programs, policies, and services; and,
WHEREAS, San Francisco’s people of color and low-income residents have historically been, and currently are, disproportionately exposed to more environmental stressors including air and soil pollution, illegal dumping, industrial uses and transportation impacts, and are more likely to live in housing conditions where degraded indoor air quality contributes to the prevalence of asthma and other health disparities; and,
WHEREAS, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s 2017 Climate and Health Adaptation Framework, while climate change will impact all San Franciscans the health impacts of climate change are expected to disproportionately affect communities least able to prepare for, cope with, and recover from them, such as communities of color and low-income communities; and,
WHEREAS, the Department’s Environmental Justice Program has a long history of working to mitigate environmental burdens, increase access to environmental programs and benefits, increase community engagement, and improve health outcomes and the quality of life for residents facing the greatest disparities; and,
WHEREAS, to meet the City’s ambitious climate action goals and ensure that its programming serves everyone equitably, the Department must carefully and intentionally examine all its own programs and services to ensure they do not perpetuate racial inequities; now, therefore, be it,
RESOLVED, that the Commission on the Environment reaffirms its longstanding commitment to the principles of environmental justice, where communities most impacted by environmental stressors are prioritized; and affirms its commitment to racial equity by supporting efforts to integrate racial equity in all the Department’s programs, policies, and services; and be it,
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commission on the Environment strongly supports the Department’s efforts to develop and implement a Racial Equity Action Plan with measurable outcomes that will examine internal, administrative, and operational opportunities for advancing racial equity and ensure that all the Department’s programs, policies, and services are developed and delivered through a racial equity lens; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commission on the Environment encourages the Department to continue to work with other City agencies, the Mayor’s Office, the Board of Supervisors and community stakeholders to carefully examine and address racial inequities in current City programs, policies and services, and develop bold and forward-thinking strategies to advance racial equity in San Francisco; and, be it,
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commission on the Environment encourages the Department to work with other City agencies, cities across the Bay Area, regional agencies, state agencies, federal agencies and community stakeholders to participate in efforts to define historically underserved communities of color and low-income communities and ensure that these communities have equitable access to funding, regulatory relief, and other services; and, be it,
FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be submitted to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the Mayor.
I hereby certify that this Resolution was adopted at the Commission on the Environment’s March 14, 2018 meeting.
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Anthony Valdez, Commission Secretary
Vote: 5-0 Approved
Ayes: Commissioners Ahn, Hoyos, Stephenson, Wald and Wan.
Noes: None
Absent: Commissioner Bermejo.