USC Equity Research Institute (ERI)

The California Climate Investments (CCI) are turning 10. After a decade of investments and nearly $10 billion implemented throughout the state, is CCI delivering on its promise? Does it drive benefits to environmental justice communities that are the most vulnerable to pollution, have the fewest resources to adapt to climate change, and the least political power to attract these dollars? Do these communities feel the impact of these dollars? In this report done in partnership with The Greenlining Institute, ERI’s research team strives to answer these questions, particularly in light of unprecedented federal funding for climate investments.

Catalyzing Community-Centered Redistricting for Racial Equity: Lessons from Fair Representation in Redistricting is an important read for those who care about the future of our democracy—and want to find ways to get involved in redistricting. For the 2021-2022 redistricting cycle, a set of philanthropic leaders formed Fair Representation in Redistricting (FRR), a strategy to support historically excluded and under-represented communities to be active and influential players in advancing fair redistricting in states across the country.

This report describes FRR strategies and core investments, highlights the successes and challenges of catalyzing a community-centered approach to redistricting, and offers recommendations. The punchline: While a strong foundation was laid in this recent cycle, much more is needed to achieve fairer processes and outcomes. We recommend that FRR become a sustained collaborative to build upon the emerging field of community-centered redistricting it has seeded and to pair its support for the one- or two-years of line drawing with ongoing efforts to bring governing power back to the people.