The 'Green' White House

FAITH LEADERS CALLED FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT ON CLIMACT CHANGE

On Tuesday 13th August 2024, faith leaders from across the United States were invited to The White House for the first time to discuss President Joe Biden's climate-related goals, meet representatives from environmental technology and clean energy organisations and explore how faith communities can better utilize federal funds for clean energy initiatives.

The meeting followed last months' first first-ever White House Summit on 'Environmental Justice in Action', when the Biden-Harris Administration released detailed progress reports from 24 federal agencies showcasing what action the President is already delivering for communities that have faced longstanding environmental injustices and inequities.

On Tuesday, religious leaders were recognised for their "unique ability to connect their communities with the information, resources and support needed to create a more equitable and just clean energy future."

They shared stories of the different ways that their churches have already used 'Direct Pay' - a federal provision that enables tax-exempt entities, including houses of worship, to benefit from clean energy tax incentives. (Examples ranged from increased energy efficiency in places of worship, to their preparation for natural disasters including battery storage to retain energy for lighting, heating, recharging phones, enabling medication stored in battery-operated fridges etc, when power grids are hit.) Other programs are included in the President's Justice40 Initiative, which sets a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

A spokesperson for The White House said: "The Biden-Harris Administration will continue prioritizing partnership with faith leaders and houses of worship to amplify outreach to communities as we advance the work to lower energy costs for families, increase climate resilience, advance environmental justice, and build a clean energy future."