“Bridging the Green Divide”

Green Asset Building Initiative

Mission

Greenlining's Green Asset Building Initiative seeks to ensure that communities of color are at the forefront of the green economy as active stakeholders in our nation's efforts to “go green”. With the advent of green technology and green business opportunities, Greenlining will work to ensure that low-income and minority communities benefit from the philanthropy, job creation, business contracting, and other opportunities that are created. Greenlining will also advocate for “green solutions” to reduce our dependence on oil and other unsustainable energy practices that disproportionately harm low-income communities.

Vision

Greenlining envisions an environmental movement that generates assets and wealth, creating a ladder for economic opportunity for all residents. We imagine an ecosystem where minority businesses and California 's 22 million minority residents are active innovators and stakeholders in our efforts to fight global warming. Overall, we dream of an environment that builds tools and creates avenues to lift communities out of poverty.

Greenlining's Green Areas of Focus

•  Ensure that California 's minority communities can afford and access new environmental technologies, services, and products.

•  Advocate for educational and workforce pipeline programs that prepare communities of color for jobs in the green economy.

•  Guarantee that minority businesses have fair access to green contracts.

•  Increase access to living wage jobs in the green economy.

Current Initiatives

“Greening” Minority Businesses and Non-Profits

•  Ensure Greenlining's practices are environmentally sustainable.

•  Assist coalition members with the adoption of green practices and programs.

•  Advocate for minority businesses in the new “green economy.”

Solar Energy for All

•  Work with Greenlining's consumer-protection team on efforts at the CPUC to ensure that energy efficiency regulations reach low-income/working class populations.

•  Engage solar manufacturers and other corporations on issues of “green corporate responsibility.”

Trading for Change

•  Create alternate models for Carbon Trading that provides direct benefits to communities that have suffered disproportionately from pollution.

Education and Workforce Development

•  Establish and create innovative partnerships with universities and other stakeholders to ensure a diverse green workforce for the future.

Access to Green Capital

•  Engage banks in their multi-billion dollar green initiatives to ensure green community reinvestment activities in low-income communities.

The Politics of Green

•  Engage presidential candidates and mainstream environmental organizations to ensure issues of access and affordability considered in policy discussions.

For more information on Greenlining's Green Asset Building Initiative please contact Orson Aguilar, Associate Director or Sasha Werblin , Sustainable Development Fellow.