California Air Resources Board

The following definitions of equity were developed by various state agency partners. Together with insights from conversations with representatives of these agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizations, these definitions will help establish a shared understanding and language for defining Zero-emission Vehicle (ZEV) equity that will be discussed at the November 4, 2024, ZEV Equity Task Force Meeting.

Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development Definition(s)

Equity: Actively empowering priority communities to thrive and reach their full environmental, economic, and social potential by transforming the behaviors, institutions and systems that are causing disproportionate harm. Decisions and processes that intentionally prioritize equity are

inclusive across marginalized groups, increase access to a broad suite of clean transportation and mobility options and other critical resources, and maximize opportunities in priority communities.

Source: Equity Engagement and Implementation Plan (EEIP)

California Air Resources Board Definition(s)

Equity:  Equity is fairness. It recognizes that advantages and barriers exist, and that, as a result, we do not all start from the same place. Equity is both a process and an outcome.

Equity:  Equity begins by acknowledging that not everyone starts out from the same place. Equity recognizes that because different individuals or groups have different histories and circumstances, they have different needs and unequal starting points. Using an equity approach, individuals and groups receive different resources, opportunities, support, or treatment based on their specific needs. By providing what each individual or group needs, they have more opportunity to achieve equal or fair outcomes. For example, in the image above, using an equity approach, the four individuals receive four different bikes based on their individual needs. The resulting outcome is fair and equal: everyone gets to ride. Research shows that when policies, systems, and environments are designed to meet the needs of the most vulnerable, everyone’s outcomes improve.

Source: CARB Diversity and Racial Equity Task Force (DaRE) Glossary of Terms

California Environmental Protection Agency Definition(s)

Priority Community: The three set-asides for DACs and low-income communities and households are collectively referred to in California Climate Investment programming as “priority population” funding. The map of priority population areas will be updated by CARB upon finalization of the 2022 DAC designations and will be available here: https://webmaps.arb.ca.gov/PriorityPopulations/

Disadvantaged Community (DACs): CalEPA must base [DACs] designations

on “geographic, socioeconomic, public health, and environmental hazard criteria,” but is given broad discretion for developing specific criteria and methods for applying those criteria.

Low-income Communities: census tracts with median household incomes at or below 80 percent of the statewide median income or with median household incomes at or below the threshold designated as low income by the Department of Housing and Community Development's list of state income limits adopted pursuant to Section 50093.” Health and Safety Code § 39713(d)(2).

California Transportation Agency Definition(s)

The Interagency Equity Advisory Committee (CTC, Cal Sta, Caltrans) Charter has a definition.

According to their charter, equity is defined as the fair and just distribution of resources and opportunities, taking into account the diverse needs and historical disadvantages of different communities.

Source: Racial Equity Statement

California Energy Commission

Definition(s):

Environmental Justice: According to California statute GOV §(e):

“...Environmental justice means the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”

Source: Calepa environmental justice

Just Transition: The transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy to achieve a low carbon regenerative economy that will remedy the injustices of the fossil-fuel energy system and extractive economy across multiple sectors.

Racial Equity: Racial equity is realized when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes and outcomes for all groups are improved.

Source: “Racial Equity Action Plans- A How-to Manual”

Energy Equity: Energy Equity recognizes the historical and cumulative burdens of the energy system borne by Tribes and Justice Communities and by Black, Brown, and Native people in particular. To eliminate these disparities, energy equity centers the voices of Tribes and Justice Communities in energy planning and decision-making and ensures the fair distribution of clean energy benefits and ownership.

Source: JAEDI Framework