Workgroup Co-Chairs
- Naila Karamally, Net Zero Transition Planning Fellow, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
- Kayla Powers, DEI Lead, Clean Production Action
Focus
BizNGO recognizes the importance of environmental justice in advancing safer chemicals and sustainable materials. From the entire life cycle of a product, from extraction to disposal, chemicals management must consider and address the adverse impacts on people and the planet. No group of people should bear the disproportionate exposure and burden of harmful chemicals and products. Some populations, with unique exposure pathways, are at a disproportionately higher risk because of the systemic injustice they face. Chemical safety requires a commitment to preventing environmental damage and DEI&EJ initiatives that promote the health and well-being of all people.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, social and economic unrest, growing awareness of climate change and other environmental concerns, as well as continuing efforts to eliminate racism and address inequities, we respond to the signs of the times, launching the BizNGO Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Environmental Justice workgroup in 2021. This working group aims to create solutions for addressing environmental injustice through business use of toxic chemicals.
Join the BizNGO DEI+EJ Work Group
Our work in 2025 will focus on:
- Discussing why environmental justice must be a key consideration in chemicals management, including understanding the systemic and structural issues that expose disproportionate impacts/health inequities
- Raising awareness about what steps investment firms, NGOs, businesses, and governments are taking at the intersection of chemicals management and environmental justice
- Creating learning opportunities for BizNGO members to further explore DEI and EJ initiatives in chemicals management, including discussing challenges, effective approaches/best practices, and overall benefits
- Implementing action agendas that supports BizNGO members with tools to advance DEI & EJ initiatives to protect all people and the planet
BizNGO Guide to Advancing Environmental Justice through Safer Chemicals in Corporate Chemicals Management
In December 2024 the workgroup launched the BizNGO Guide to Advancing Environmental Justice through Safer Chemicals in Corporate Chemicals Management. This Guide illustrates pathways businesses can take to address chemical safety for all, and includes a commitment to environmental justice that promotes the health and well-being of all people and prevents environmental damage from hazardous chemicals. Businesses should integrate environmental justice into their chemicals management plans and practices, and we encourage businesses to utilize this Guide and to participate in the BizNGO DEI/EJ Work Group.
Fill out the form below to request access to the guidance document or contact kayla [at] cleanproduction.org for more information.