> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://aetlas.gitbook.io/aetlas/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://aetlas.gitbook.io/aetlas/for-project-developers/references-and-other-guidance/essential-principles-for-high-quality-carbon-dioxide-removal/environmental-justice.md).

# Environmental Justice

Environmental justice involves equitable distribution of environmental benefits and harms resulting from CDR project development, implementation, and ongoing MRV. Environmentally-just CDR projects empower local communities by facilitating meaningful participation throughout the CDR project lifecycle. Inclusive, accessible, and authentic community engagement includes centering perspectives from vulnerable or marginalized community members. This collaboration and/or shared project leadership starts by acknowledging past and present harms to communities of color, low-income communities, and other vulnerable communities affected by intersecting climate and racial injustice crises. 

### Project Developers Must

* Show how they directly, transparently, and periodically engage with local communities throughout the project lifetime. 
* Inform local communities through ‘outreach’ as defined by the ATSDR community engagement continuum for evaluating procedural equity. 
* Explicitly describe worker compensation in project proposals and commit to pay a living wage at minimum. 
* Ensure local communities that may have a stake in project lands, including Indigenous groups, are actively engaged and represented in project processes throughout the project lifetime. 

### Project Developers Should

* Actively involve community members during project development, implementation, and subsequent monitoring (see the ATSDR community engagement continuum as a reference for evaluating procedural equity). 
* Clearly articulate how the project will benefit underserved and marginalized populations, generate wealth and economic empowerment, and/or foster community involvement across the lifetime of the project. 
* Ensure project benefits accrue to members of the local community, especially vulnerable and marginalized populations, and communicate these benefits to community members. 
* Prioritize community needs and priorities when designing and implementing CDR projects. 
* Delineate the percentage of project revenues or profits paid to community members and other local partners, the form of these payments (for example, cash payments, in kind payments, or funding for community services), and the timing of these payments. 
* Avoid developing or disturbing land designated as culturally sensitive or ecologically important by community members or local stakeholders. 
* Make public carbon reduction targets and clean energy transition commitments.