BOLD. AMBITIOUS. TRANSFORMATIVE.
Environmental & Climate Policy Agenda
for the Democratic Party
ABOUT THE POLICY AGENDA
The DNC Environment and Climate Crisis Council, a permanent entity of the DNC, was established to push the Democratic Party to take bold and urgent action addressing the climate crisis and other environmental issues.
The Council recommended a sweeping set of policies for inclusion in the new four-year 2020 Democratic Party platform, and some significant policies were in fact adopted, and we expect will be part of the Platform approved at the August convention. These recommendations result from a three-month process that included a listening tour and meetings with environmental justice advocates, scientists, public health experts, members of frontline and vulnerable communities, engineers, educators, union members, artists, faith leaders, policy analysts, environmental architects, elected leaders, activists, and environmental lawyers from across America.
Listen: Our Platform Recommendations
180+ Organizations Supporting the Council’s Policy Agenda:
Greenpeace USA — Sunrise Movement — 350 Action — Sierra Club
Our Revolution — Friends of the Earth Action — Dēmos Action
Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund — Oil Change U.S. — Earth Action, Inc.
American Association for Community Psychiatry — Climate Hawks Vote
Roots Action — Food and Water Action — Climate Health Now — Zero Hour
Young Democrats of America Hispanic Caucus, Rural Caucus, Veterans Caucus & Environmental Caucus
Environmental Caucuses/Councils of the California, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, South Carolina, Washington & Wisconsin State Democratic Parties
Highlights from the Policy Agenda
At all levels of government, take urgent action on the climate and environmental emergencies.
Develop and implement a science-based national climate action plan that employs aggressive use of executive actions, establishment of new structures and practices, and bold legislation.
Achieve 100% clean renewable energy, zero emissions, and an end to fossil fuel production, with ambitious short- and long-term emissions and renewable energy targets: near-zero emissions by 2040; 100% clean renewable energy by 2030 in electricity generation, buildings, and transportation; and 100% zero-carbon new building infrastructure by 2025.
Commit to the spending necessary to address the climate emergency: $10-$16 trillion in federal expenditures over the next decade.
Put communities and working families above fossil fuel corporations by ensuring a just transition and building a green economy with millions of new, family-sustaining jobs.
Establish a federal Just Transition Task Force to develop a program supporting communities and workers impacted by the climate crisis and the transition to renewables, and fund the program.
Direct massive investments to renewable energy infrastructure, creating millions of jobs, and end all incentives and subsidies of the fossil fuel industry, including passing the ReWIND Act.
Support the growth of sustainable, regenerative agriculture powered by 100% clean energy.
Support the growth of healthy, just, sustainable green communities and address the disproportionate environmental and climate harms to frontline and vulnerable communities.
Elevate the EPA to a federal department; make the EPA Office of Environmental Justice permanent.
Require health impact assessments and climate equity screenings for major federal government actions.
Direct 40% of climate and environment investments to frontline and vulnerable communities.
Rescind all Trump-era rollbacks on environmental protections.
Protect and conserve 30% of all U.S. lands and oceans by 2030 and 50% by 2050.
Tell the DNC: Support the Council’s Climate Policy Agenda
Individuals
Organizations
Elected Officials, Candidates, Party Leaders & Health & Climate Professionals
What People Are Saying About the Climate Council’s Policy Agenda
“Thanks for all your hard work ~ this is a remarkable improvement over the 2016 platform!”
— Joe Uehlein, President, Labor Network for Sustainability
“Evergreen is thrilled that the DNC Council on Environment and Climate Crisis has put together bold policy recommendations for the DNC to consider for its climate platform this summer. We especially appreciate the focus on environmental justice and supporting Black, brown and indigenous communities that are experiencing the harms of pollution and climate change first and worst. The next President and Congress must engage in an all-out national mobilization to defeat the climate crisis and create millions of jobs in a just and inclusive clean energy, and the Democratic party must be united together in this bold mission. We applaud Michelle Deatrick and the Council’s efforts to chart an ambitious path to meet our shared goal -- a more clean and just future for everyone.”
— Jamal Raad, Campaign Director, Evergreen Action
“The people of the world demand an approach from the United States rooted in fairness, justice, compassion, and science. The Platform recommendations provide a strong pivot in that direction.”
— Karen Orenstein, Climate and Energy Director, Friends of the Earth Action
"An ambitious climate plan means electability. We will achieve the renewable transition science demands by empowering frontline communities. This platform meets the benchmarks we need to surmount climate crisis. It will also help mobilize the critical mass of the electorate, that, in this historic moment, is committed to justice in all of its forms. Unlike Trump, the Democratic Party leads by representing the national interest. This courageous platform does just that, earning the Democratic Party the mantle of united action."
— Sunrise NYC
"We want the 2020 Democratic convention to adopt a transformative climate platform that ends the fossil fuel era and ensures a just transition to 100% clean energy while protecting workers and communities. The DNC Environment and Climate Council's recommendations include critical steps that Vice President Biden should take immediately after moving into the White House, including declaring a climate emergency, halting new fossil fuel leasing and infrastructure, and detailing a plan for 100% clean energy by 2030."
— Kassie Siegel, Climate Director, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund
“Bold, ambitious, and visionary -- this is the platform the DNC enabled by creating a Climate Council, and I'm looking forward to a public process.”
— RL Miller, Political Director, Climate Hawks Vote
Individual endorsements and support for the Council's Policy Agenda are the views of that individual.
Titles and organization names are for identification purposes only and do not constitute endorsement by that organization.