Equity impacts
EJ communities are often last to realize the benefits from new workforce and economic opportunities. This strategy could also lead to displacement if not carefully planned with EJ communities. A lack of understanding about the significance and meaning of a circular economy is also prevalent in EJ communities, limiting their ability to be a partner with the city without proper capacity building efforts.
Recommendations
- Collaboration with CBOs and EJ communities during the development of the roadmap will be critical if the long-term goal is to build equity and empowerment.
- Consider establishing an advisory group that includes a majority of community stakeholders that are from or serve EJ communities in this process.
- Develop a project timeline that allows for input at all stages of development, from the initial development, drafting, and prior to a formal public review period.
- There should also be time built in for capacity-building outreach and education in EJ communities.
- In-language outreach and education around circularity will also be necessary. A circular economy can support healthier lifestyles, but more education is necessary to ensure it can support EJ communities. Education and resources are necessary to support EJ communities to see the benefits of a circular economy.
- Roadmap should include a section on mitigating potential impacts such as displacement and other impacts to EJ communities, and how the community voices will be included in the implementation.
Suggested edit to the draft
Suggest adding the following as action: "Draft action to include community voices in the implementation of this strategy."
Partly reflected in the final plan. CE-5-1 commits the roadmap to a collaborative public process.