
Environmental Justice Framework and General Plan Policies
A part of the General Plan Updates
Advancing Healthy Communities
San Francisco is working to ensure all residents and workers live in and enjoy healthy, sustainable and equitable environments. The City’s environmental justice work will establish a clear set of visions and priorities to advance health in communities of color and low-income communities that face higher pollution and other health risks. These City commitments will be developed in collaboration with communities and spelled out in an Environmental Justice Framework and related General Plan policies.
MARCH 2023 UPDATE: The Planning Commission approved the Adoption Draft of the Environmental Justice Framework on March 2nd, 2023! The proposal will next be considered by the Board of Supervisors - see the Adoption tab for more information
What Is Environmental Justice (EJ)?
Communities and governments have defined environmental justice in many ways. The Planning Department developed the following definition, refined during the community engagement process:
The equitable distribution of environmental benefits and the elimination of environmental burdens to promote healthy communities where all San Franciscans can thrive. Government can foster environmental justice through processes that address, mitigate, and amend past injustices while enabling proactive, community-led solutions for the future.
The term “environmental racism” recognizes that American Indian, Black, and other communities of color have historically borne the brunt of environmental burdens and poor health through intentional and systemically racist actions. These same communities have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the social, economic, and health impacts of the disease have disproportionately impacted communities of color. This is why our environmental justice work is being coordinated with the Planning Department’s Racial and Social Equity Action Plan.
Background
California Senate Bill (SB) 1000 requires that cities and counties adopt policies in their General Plan to address environmental justice. In response, the City is developing an Environmental Justice Framework to identify key visions and priorities and related General Plan policies.
San Francisco is developing environmental justice policies in these areas, adapted from SB 1000:
- Healthy and Resilient Environments
- Physical Activity
- Healthy Food Access
- Safe, Healthy and Affordable Homes
- Equitable and Green Jobs
- Empowered Neighborhoods
Environmental Justice Framework and General Plan Policies
The Environmental Justice Framework will outline a set of visions and priorities to be incorporated into the City’s General Plan. It will live in the General Plan Introduction to ensure environmental justice is integrated throughout the Elements. It will also include guidance to City agencies and other stakeholders on how they can address environmental justice in their work.
Beyond the Environmental Justice Framework, policies will be incorporated into the various General Plan Elements in subsequent updates. The first set of policies will be found in the Safety & Resilience, Housing, and Transportation Elements, which are currently undergoing updates.
Adoption Draft of Environmental Justice Framework
The Environmental Justice Framework outlines key environmental justice priorities that City policymakers should work to address. It includes an Environmental Justice Communities Map, identifying areas of the city that face disproportionate burden of environmental challenges, informed by state and local data. The Environmental Justice Framework outlines a set of visions and priorities to be incorporated into the General Plan, in strong alignment with citywide racial and social equity goals. This Adoption Draft was approved by the Planning Commission on March 2, 2023.
Adoption Draft of General Plan Introduction
The General Plan Introduction includes a summary of intent and purpose of the City’s General Plan. The Department proposes to update the Introduction with themes distilled from extensive community engagement conducted in several recent long-range planning efforts, including recent work on the Environmental Justice Framework, Housing Element, Safety & Resilience Element, ConnectSF, Cultural Districts, and the Planning Commission’s and Historic Preservation Commission’s resolutions centering the Department’s work in racial and social equity. This Adoption Draft approved by the Planning Commission on March 2, 2023.
Project Resources
- Supplemental Policy Recommendations
- Outreach and Engagement Summary for the Environmental Justice Framework
- Environmental Justice Communities Map: Technical Documentation
- Environmental Justice Communities Map: User Guide
Related Efforts
- SF Office of Racial Equity (ORE)
- SF Department of Public Health (DPH) – Environmental Health Division
- SF Public Utilities Commission (PUC) – Environmental Justice & Land Use Program
- SF Environment – Environmental Justice Overview
- San Francisco Bay Conservation & Development Commission (BCDC) – Environmental Justice and Social Equity Bay Plan Amendment
- Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) – Planning for Environmental Justice
The Environmental Justice Framework and General Plan Introduction will be before policymakers for adoption in early 2023.
Upcoming Hearings (subject to change)
- April/May 2023: Adoption Hearings at the Board of Supervisors
Planning Commission: Adoption
An adoption hearing is the Planning Commission’s consideration of the draft amendments. If approved, the draft amendments are forwarded as a proposal to the Board of Supervisors for their consideration of adoption.
Planning Commission on March 2, 2023
- Presentation
- Executive Summary
- Exhibit A: Adoption Draft of the Environmental Justice Framework
- Exhibit B: Adoption Draft of the General Plan Introduction
- Exhibit C: Environmental Review
- Exhibit D: Draft Ordinance
- Exhibit E: Draft Resolution
- Exhibit F: Environmental Justice Communities Map: Technical Documentation (Updated for Adoption)
- Exhibit G: Outreach and Engagement Summary for the Environmental Justice Framework (Updated for Adoption)
- Exhibit H: Letter of Support from the Office of Resilience and Capital Planning
- Exhibit I: Letter of Support from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Planning Commission: Initiation
An initiation hearing is a public announcement of the Planning Commission’s initiation to consider adoption.
Planning Commission on January 26, 2023
- Presentation
- Executive Summary
- Exhibit A: Initiation Draft of the Environmental Justice Framework (Proposed for Adoption)
- Exhibit B: Initiation Draft of the General Plan Introduction (Proposed for Adoption)
- Exhibit C: Draft Initiation Resolution
- Exhibit D: Draft Ordinance for Proposed General Plan Amendment
- Exhibit E: Environmental Justice Communities Map: Technical Documentation
- Exhibit F: Outreach and Engagement Summary for the Environmental Justice Framework
Informational Hearings
An informational hearing is an overview presentation of the work to date.
Planning Commission on October 7, 2021
Planning Commission on January 5, 2023
Environment Commission on February 7, 2023
Human Rights Commission on February 9, 2023
Environmental Justice Framework and the General Plan Introduction
Concurrent with the adoption of the Environmental Justice Framework, there will be proposed updates to the General Plan Introduction, which provides a summary of the intent and purpose of the General Plan. These updates will establish the overarching aspirations of the General Plan and describe the themes distilled from public engagement on this and other community planning efforts.
The draft Environmental Justice Communities Map (“EJ Communities Map”) describes areas of San Francisco that have higher pollution and are predominately low-income. This map is based on CalEnviroScreen, a tool created by CalEPA& OEHHA that maps California communities that are most affected by pollution and other health risks. This draft EJ Communities Map includes additional local data on pollution and demographics, and has been refined during the community engagement process based on public feedback.
“EJ Communities” are defined as the top one-third of census tracts with cumulative environmental and socioeconomic vulnerability across the City. The EJ Communities include areas of Bayview Hunters Point, Chinatown, Excelsior, Japantown, Mission, Ocean View-Merced Heights-Ingleside, Outer Mission, Potrero Hill, SoMa, Tenderloin, Treasure Island, Visitacion Valley, and Western Addition.
For more information on the EJ Communities Map and methodology:
The Environmental Justice Framework builds upon over two years of outreach and engagement with the community and City partners. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all activities were conducted virtually. The outreach and engagement activities focused on collaborating with and uplifting the voices of those most impacted by environmental injustice.
Past Events
Environmental Justice Focus Groups
There were six focus groups in October to December 2022 to hear from the lived experiences of residents and workers in EJ Communities. These focus groups were co-hosted by community-based organizations and Giuliana Martinez of GM Consulting Group. The focus groups were organized by geography and/or language to reach community members who are often overlooked in community outreach and engagement.
We are grateful to have partnered with:
- Promotoras Activas de San Francisco
- Carnaval San Francisco (CANA)
- Booker T. Washington Community Service Center
- Potrero Hill Neighborhood House
- City of Dreams
- Wu Yee Children’s Services
Environmental Justice Working Group
The Environmental Justice Working Group is a group of community and City government leaders who collaborated to co-create policy recommendations for the EJ Framework, identify community needs and assets, and provide feedback on specific needs for its implementation. The Working Group met on a monthly basis from June to January 2022.
The Working Group developed a list of Policy Recommendations for the City to consider as part of the Environmental Justice Framework and future updates to the General Plan, which can also serve as a guide for City agencies and partners seeking to improve environmental justice.
Meeting Summaries
- Meeting 1 Summary - June 21, 2021
- Meeting 2 Summary - July 19, 2021
- Meeting 3 Summary - August 16, 2021
- Meeting 4 Summary - September 20, 2021
- Meeting 5 Summary - October 25, 2021
- Meeting 6 Summary - November 15, 2021
- Meeting 7 Summary - December 13, 2021
- Meeting 8 Summary - January 24, 2022
The Working Group was intentionally created to include both community leaders representing the neighborhoods most impacted by environmental justice, and staff from City agencies that have environmental justice programs and/or oversee relevant work. The goal is to create a space where diverse perspectives and solutions can be discussed, with the ultimate goal of identifying shared priorities and actions that would have the greatest impact in advancing environmental justice, racial and social equity, and health across San Francisco.
The roster of Working Group members is below. The community members were selected in Spring 2021, after a public application period.
EJ Working Group Members
Name | Affiliation |
---|---|
Giuliana Martinez (Facilitator) | GM Consulting Group |
Sharaya Souza | American Indian Cultural District |
Agustin Angel | Bayview Hunters Point Community Advocates |
Cecilia Mejia | Brightline Defense |
Maggie Dong | Chinatown Community Development Center |
Donna Hilliard | Code Tenderloin |
Kasey Rios Asberry | Demonstration Gardens – Tenderloin Peoples Congress |
Chester Kyle Williams | Fillmore Media Systems & Services Co. |
Nina Bazan-Sakamoto | Japantown Cultural District |
Antonio Díaz | PODER (People Organizing to Demand Environmental & Economic Rights) |
Edward Hatter | Potrero Hill Neighborhood House |
Barklee Sanders | Residents Supporting Community On Treasure Island |
Irene Mahasin Thomas-Jacks | San Francisco African American Faith Base Coalition |
Thomas Namara | San Francisco Parks Alliance |
Zack Deutsch-Gross | San Francisco Transit Riders |
Tandia ONeal | Sistah Music Snax Entertainment |
Felisia Thibodeaux | Southwest Community Corporation |
Rev. Ishmael Burch Jr. | St. Andrew Missionary Baptist Church |
Karen Pierce | San Francisco Department of Public Health |
Sraddha Mehta | San Francisco Department of the Environment |
Sarah Tseng | San Francisco Human Rights Commission |
Keith Tanner | San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency |
Alex Morrison | San Francisco Office of Resilience and Capital Planning |
Kimia Haddadan | San Francisco Planning Department |
Will Logsdon | San Francisco Public Utilities Commission |
Jon Swae | San Francisco Public Works |
Taylor Emerson | San Francisco Recreation and Park Department |
Celina Chan | SF Planning Project Team |
Claudia Flores | SF Planning Project Team |
Danielle Ngo | SF Planning Project Team |
Leslie Valencia | SF Planning Project Team |
Lisa Chen | SF Planning Project Team |
General Plan Virtual Events
The Planning Department hosted a two-week outreach and engagement event, the General Plan Virtual Events, to support multiple concurrent updates to the General Plan. The Virtual Events explored the role of the General Plan and the updates that are being made, and provided an opportunity to share ideas that San Francisco can take to achieve an equitable, livable, and sustainable future.
Click here to watch our recording of the Environmental Justice Framework workshops held at the General Plan Virtual Events on March 17 & March 25, 2021.
Other Events
The Planning Department also solicited feedback through the following methods:
- Youth engagement, in partnership with SFUSD elementary and high school classes & SFSU
- Key stakeholder interviews
- Briefings
To learn more about the Environmental Justice Data Portal, begin scrolling over the image below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the San Francisco General Plan?
The General Plan provides a comprehensive set of objectives and policies that influence how we live, work, and move about, as well as the quality and character of the City. The General Plan reflects community values and priorities through its public adoption process, ensuring both private development and public action conform to this vision. The General Plan helps shape our daily lives, respond to today’s big challenges, and lead us to a more equitable, sustainable, and healthy future that enables all San Franciscans to thrive.
What is the Environmental Justice Framework?
The Environmental Justice (EJ) Framework will provide an overarching vision and a set of policies to be incorporated into the City’s General Plan. The first such policies will be found in the Safety and Resilience, Housing, Transportation Elements, which are currently undergoing updates. It will also include guidance to City agencies and other stakeholders on how they can address environmental justice in their work. The EJ Framework is intended to fulfill the requirements of SB 1000, as well as directives by the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission to address racial & social equity.
What is Environmental Justice? How is environmental justice related to racial and social equity?
We define environmental justice as the equitable distribution of environmental benefits (such as clean air and water, parks, affordable housing, transportation, and other public services) and environmental burdens (such as pollution, heavy traffic, and crime) to promote healthy communities where all San Franciscans can thrive. Government can foster environmental justice through processes that amend past injustices while creating proactive, community-led solutions for the future.
Similarly, the concept of environmental racism recognizes that the burdens of environmental justice are often felt most keenly in American Indian, Black, and other communities of color. This is due in part to a long history of policies and actions that have resulted in discrimination, segregation, and racism. Studies have shown that people of color are more likely to face higher exposure to environmental hazards – for example, at the national level, the US EPA found that Black residents are exposed to 50% more air pollution than white residents.1
Many people of color and low-income communities also have less access to resources that can support their health and wellbeing, such as healthy food, affordable housing, good schools, and parks. These conditions may contribute to wide disparities in health outcomes by race, neighborhood, and income. For example, life expectancy for Black San Francisco residents is 10 years less than for white residents (72 years vs. 82 years).2
Similarly, amongst San Francisco high schoolers, Latinx students are 1.6x more likely and Black students are 2x more likely to have asthma than white students. COVID-19 has also magnified these racial inequities, with Latinx, Pacific Islander, and American Indian residents facing the City’s highest rates of COVID-19 infections.3
What will the Environmental Justice Framework do – and not do?
The Environmental Justice Framework will develop policy priorities and identify implementation measures that will influence how the City advances health in communities of color and low-income communities that face higher pollution and other health risks. These strategies will be developed in collaboration with leaders from the communities most impacted by environmental injustices, targeting neighborhoods identified in the draft EJ Communities Map (see next question for more details).
While the Framework does not directly create new programming or funding resources, it guides and promotes the development of action plans that will advance our Environmental Justice goals, such as City agencies’ Racial Equity Action Plans and related programs (such as the environmental justice programs at San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and San Francisco Department of the Environment, among others).
What is the draft Environmental Justice (EJ) Communities Map?
The draft Environmental Justice Communities Map identifies areas of San Francisco that have higher pollution and are predominately low-income, such as (but not limited to): Bayview Hunters Point, South of Market, Tenderloin, Chinatown, Visitacion Valley, Potrero Hill, Treasure Island, and Mission neighborhoods.
This map is based on CalEnviroScreen, a tool created by CalEPA and OEHHA that maps California communities that are most affected by pollution and other health risks. The draft EJ Communities Map includes additional local data on pollution and demographics. The map is being refined during the community engagement process based on public feedback.
The map will be used to identify neighborhoods that the City should prioritize for policies and programs to address environmental justice and health. The City is working to create an interactive version of the map that will include more data and information on other related topics (such as housing, transportation, parks and recreation facilities, and other public services).
- 1 SF.gov: COVID-19 Data and Reports
- 2 RaceCounts.org: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, County Health Rankings (2018-2020)
- 3 SF.gov: COVID-19 Data and Reports
We want to hear from you! For more information on how to get involved in this project, or to share feedback and information, please get in touch with our team:
Lisa Chen, Principal Planner
lisa.chen@sfgov.org
Danielle Ngo, Senior Planner
danielle.ngo@sfgov.org
Amnon Ben-Pazi, Senior Planner
amnon.ben-pazi@sfgov.org