DE&I work in the environmental sector slows to a stop

DE&I work in the environmental movement slows to a crawl

What you probably already know: While many companies are facing a public backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion practices, mission-driven non-governmental organizations are also seeing progress slow against goals that many enacted in the last decade. A report by Green 2.0, a group that looks at the diversity of staff and boards in the environmental sector, shows that the progress many were making has all but stopped.

Why? The report found that environmental NGO boards are still more than 56% white and the top executives are 68% white. Senior staff ranks are even less diverse, with more than 71% white people in these positions, compared to 58% for all full-time staff. These organizations added zero diverse board members or senior staff last year, and only one added a diverse leader at the top of the organization. This represented far fewer diverse voices joining these organizations than in previous years.

What it means: It’s been called the “Green Ceiling” — where only 16% of staffers at conservation and sustainability groups in the U.S. identify as people of color despite the fact that environmental disasters as a result of climate change disproportionately affect communities of color. These issues also often tie to health outcomes, as these same communities are the most likely to experience air and water pollution.

What happens now? Several recent Supreme Court rulings could result in the dismantling of clean water and air protections that have been in place for years, including a decision to block a rule by the Environmental Protection Agency that aims to reduce pollution from power plants upwind across state lines. Meanwhile, many states are facing ballot measures that would roll back previously approved environmental legislation. As these pressures mount, environmental groups will need intersectional support from diverse communities.

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