Community-based research supports more just and equitable industrial decarbonization

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Sociology
• Urban Planning

Background:

• Industrial decarbonization aims to reduce emissions and embodied carbon.
• Historically marginalized communities face unique co-benefits and risks from these projects.
• Current "community engagement" often lacks structure for equitable outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how community-based research can foster just and equitable governance in industrial decarbonization.
• To analyze the co-benefits and risks for marginalized communities.
• To demonstrate the utility of community-based research in developing community benefit plans.

Main Methods:

• Review of industrial decarbonization co-benefits and risks.
• Case studies of community-based research in action.
• Analysis of community benefit plans for developer-led projects.

Main Results:

• Community-based research can shift engagement from abstract to actionable.
• Identified specific co-benefits (e.g., green jobs) and risks (e.g., pollution) for host communities.
• Community benefit plans developed through this research are more likely to be equitable.

Conclusions:

• Community-based research is essential for ensuring industrial decarbonization is just and equitable.
• It empowers communities to shape projects that benefit them directly.
• This approach is vital for successful and fair industrial transitions.