New UCLA Policy Toolkit Centers Community-Informed Solutions to California’s Air Pollution Crisis – Latino Policy & Politics Institute

Policy Toolkit for Air Quality and Sustainable Development in California

Introduction and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

A policy toolkit released by the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) provides actionable solutions to address the critical issue of air pollution in California’s Latino communities. This initiative directly supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by translating community-identified priorities into a framework for state and local leaders. The report validates long-standing community concerns with empirical data, focusing on policy reforms that advance environmental justice and public health, key tenets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Environmental Inequities (SDG 3 & SDG 10)

The toolkit leverages data from LPPI’s Latino Climate & Health Dashboard to quantify environmental disparities, providing critical evidence for policy interventions aimed at achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The analysis confirms that Latino neighborhoods bear a disproportionate pollution burden, undermining health outcomes and perpetuating systemic inequality. Key findings include:

• Latino neighborhoods are situated in closer proximity to hazardous and contaminated sites compared to non-Latino white neighborhoods.
• Residents in these communities are exposed to nearly three times the amount of diesel pollution.
• There is a higher exposure to traffic density, compounded by a lower prevalence of lower-emission vehicles.

These disparities represent a significant barrier to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages, and underscore the urgent need to reduce inequality within and among communities.

Policy Recommendations for Inclusive and Sustainable Communities (SDG 11 & SDG 16)

The toolkit outlines a series of community-rooted strategies designed to create inclusive, safe, and resilient urban environments, directly contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). By emphasizing accountability and transparent governance, these recommendations also support the development of effective and just institutions as outlined in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The proposed policy actions are:

1. Strengthen enforcement of environmental regulations and establish clear accountability mechanisms for polluters.
2. Provide sustained funding for community-based organizations (CBOs) to lead air quality monitoring, public outreach, and educational initiatives.
3. Expand health interventions driven by community health workers (promotoras) to mitigate the public health impacts of pollution.
4. Ensure that investments in clean transportation and green technologies are prioritized for and directed to the most environmentally burdened neighborhoods first.
5. Build robust state-local coordination to foster transparency, public trust, and effective implementation of environmental policies.

Fostering Partnerships for Climate Action and Health (SDG 13 & SDG 17)

The development of the toolkit exemplifies the collaborative approach championed by SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), as it was built upon insights from a statewide convening of advocates, organizers, and environmental justice leaders. The policy solutions, particularly those targeting diesel emissions and promoting clean transportation, are integral to combating climate change and its impacts, aligning with SDG 13 (Climate Action). The report concludes that meaningful progress depends on empowering community leadership and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships to ensure that the transition to a sustainable future is both equitable and just.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article’s central theme is the negative health consequences of air pollution on communities. It explicitly states that advocates have warned about the “impact of air pollution on their health” and that data confirms “greater health risks” and “health impacts of pollution for generations.”
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article focuses on the disproportionate burden of pollution on a specific ethnic group, highlighting “alarming disparities in air quality and exposure” between Latino and non-Latino white neighborhoods. The entire initiative is framed around addressing this environmental injustice.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The issues are located in urban and community settings, specifically near “freeways, ports, warehouses, and industrial corridors.” The goal of the toolkit is to improve living conditions by addressing air quality, which is a key component of making cities and human settlements sustainable and safe.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article calls for policy changes that involve institutional actions, such as “strengthening enforcement and holding polluters accountable,” improving “state-local coordination,” and ensuring “transparency and trust.” It also emphasizes a community-led, participatory approach to policy-making, which relates to building inclusive institutions.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • While not the primary focus, the article connects to climate action by discussing sources of pollution like “diesel pollution” and solutions like “clean transportation investments” and increasing “lower-emission vehicles.” These measures simultaneously address air quality and climate change.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
   • The article directly addresses this target by focusing on the health crisis caused by air pollution in Latino communities and proposing policy solutions to mitigate these health risks.
2. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… race, ethnicity… or other status.
   • The toolkit is designed to translate “community priorities into actionable policy solutions,” thereby empowering Latino communities to participate in and influence policy-making that affects their well-being and addresses ethnic disparities.
3. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality…
   • The article’s core focus is on the severe air pollution in specific urban neighborhoods (“Latino neighborhoods”) and the need for targeted policy and investments to improve air quality in these areas.
4. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • The toolkit was developed based on insights from a “statewide convening” of “advocates, organizers, and environmental justice leaders” and emphasizes that “real progress requires listening to the communities.” This highlights a commitment to inclusive and participatory decision-making.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Disparity in pollution exposure (Implied Indicator for Target 10.2):
   • The article provides comparative data points that serve as indicators of inequality: Latino neighborhoods are “exposed to nearly three times more diesel pollution” and are “located much closer to hazardous and contaminated sites” compared to non-Latino white neighborhoods. Progress would be measured by the reduction of this gap.
2. Air pollution levels (Mentioned Indicator for Target 11.6):
   • The article explicitly mentions “diesel pollution” levels as a key problem. The proposed “CBO-led monitoring” of air quality suggests that direct measurement of pollutants is a key indicator for tracking progress.
3. Proximity to pollution sources (Mentioned Indicator for Target 11.6):
   • The fact that Latino neighborhoods are “located much closer to hazardous and contaminated sites” is used as an indicator of environmental burden. Zoning and land-use policy changes could be measured by changes in this proximity for new developments.
4. Prevalence of clean technology (Mentioned Indicator for Target 11.6/13.2):
   • The article notes that affected neighborhoods have “less lower-emission vehicles.” An increase in the number of clean vehicles, supported by “clean transportation investments,” would be a direct indicator of progress.
5. Community participation in monitoring and decision-making (Implied Indicator for Target 16.7):
   • The call for “sustained funding for CBO-led monitoring, outreach, and air-quality education” implies that the level of funding and the number of community-based organizations involved in environmental governance are key indicators of participatory progress.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: latino.ucla.edu