WASHINGTON, D.C. — The newly launched Climate Equity Collaborative will focus on addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities and youth. The National Wildlife Federation joined General Motors, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Children’s Environmental Health Network and the Community and College Partners Program as a founding member of the initiative.

The Climate Equity Collaborative will engage communities, youth and nonprofits in designing and implementing equitable and inclusive climate solutions. Its key priorities include:

• Elevating environmental justice and education within the broader climate conversation
• Building on-ramps to the climate equity space for organizations that share the Collaborative’s values, starting with communities hit first and worst by the impacts of climate change
• Strengthening the knowledge and leadership already existing among youth and vulnerable communities through engagement opportunities and resources
• Driving investments to nonprofits and platforms that are advancing education, environmental justice and economic opportunity.

The National Wildlife Federation will serve as the Climate Equity Collaborative's convener alongside an ecosystem of sustainability leaders in the nonprofit, government and private sectors. 

“The climate crisis is hitting Black and frontline communities first and worst. The Climate Equity Collaborative and our work teaming up with AY will help us ensure that efforts to address the changing climate and generational environment injustices reflect the perspectives and needs of impacted communities,” said Mustafa Santiago Ali, executive vice president of conservation and justice at the National Wildlife Federation. “We’re eager to build off the work to date of the Climate Equity Collaborative and inspire all communities to join us in this important work.”

The Road to Climate Week

In the lead-up to Climate Week, National Wildlife Federation and General Motors are teaming up with global climate advocate, musician and United Nations Youth Leader for Sustainable Development Goals, AY Young on a road trip from the Detroit Auto Show to New York City.

The road trip will be driven by Young in an all-electric Chevrolet Bolt EUV, showcasing the growing accessibility of electric vehicles and expanding infrastructure. Young will make stops along the way to talk to students about how they can help advance equitable climate solutions.

“Working with General Motors and National Wildlife Federation to plug in and create opportunities for youth to be part of the solution for this generation and future generations is a dream,” Young said. “American communities, especially those experiencing inequity and a lack of resources, are the most vulnerable if we fail to meet our goals for clean energy, climate action and sustainable development. The commitment and the funding that General Motors and National Wildlife Federation are making through the Climate Equity Collaborative to involve the next generation is groundbreaking, but only the beginning. We need more companies to step up in this way and I am proud to represent National Wildlife Federation in this important initiative.”

In Young’s Battery Tour, a grass-roots concert series powered by renewable-energy sourced from solar and battery power, Young raises money through donations to purchase portable, solar powered boxes for villages that do not have reliable access to electricity. He is also working on his latest album Project 17, addressing the 17 global sustainable development goals as designated by the United Nations.