Communities across the St. Louis Region are already feeling the impacts of a changing climate, from rising utility costs to the strain of extreme weather events. But not all communities experience these challenges equally. Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities (LIDACs) often face the greatest risks while having the fewest resources to respond.
As the East-West Gateway Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan took shape, these communities shared their experiences, insights and priorities. Their voices grounded the plan in lived realities and reminded us that climate action must go hand-in-hand with equity, opportunity and public health.
Throughout the East-West Gateway Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan engagement process, LIDACs offered vital, often underrepresented perspectives that helped shape the foundation of the plan. What we heard from these participants was distinct and grounded in lived experience. While many supported greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction efforts in principle, their support was conditional: actions must deliver tangible benefits to the communities most affected by climate change and must do so without causing new harms.
What We Heard from LIDAC Participants
Participants made it clear that climate action cannot be separated from broader struggles for equity, economic justice, and public health. They emphasized that climate measures will only be successful if they are intentionally designed to improve day-to-day life – reducing burdens and increasing opportunities in ways that matter locally. These weren’t abstract policy discussions; they were grounded in real tradeoffs and priorities.
Key Takeaways from LIDAC Engagement
- Direct, community-level benefits matter. Support for GHG reduction actions is strongest when they address core needs like poverty alleviation, housing affordability, health outcomes, and local job creation. Climate action must be a tool for economic and social resilience, not just environmental protection.
- Priority issues are deeply interconnected. In the St. Louis region, participants linked emission reduction to key goals such as improving public transportation, upgrading basic infrastructure, lowering energy costs, and increasing accountability for high-emitting communities.
- Energy and housing costs are major burdens. Participants flagged energy efficiency and cost-reduction strategies as high-impact areas, particularly if they reduce utility bills and improve comfort and safety without increasing housing costs.
- Transportation choices are limited. Many low-income neighborhoods lack access to safe, reliable, affordable transit or non-vehicle options. Expanding mobility choices is seen as essential for both climate and quality of life.
- There is real fear of unintended consequences. Residents worry that some GHG measures, such as stricter building codes or green investments, could unintentionally fuel displacement or raise costs. Without safeguards, even well-intentioned actions could worsen inequality.
- Fairness and trust are central. LIDAC residents questioned why low-emitting communities are often expected to lead on GHG reduction, while higher-income, higher-emission areas are not equally accountable. Participants expressed fatigue with extractive planning processes and emphasized the need for sustained transparency, follow-through, and community-driven oversight.
Why It Matters
These findings underscore that equity is not a box to check, it’s the foundation of a climate strategy that works. By hearing from LIDAC participants directly, we saw how climate vulnerability is tied to long-standing disparities in housing, health, mobility, and opportunity. But we also heard that when given the chance, these communities offer solutions that are holistic, practical, and deeply connected to place.
That’s why the plan not only includes – but is shaped by – community-defined priorities. To reach vulnerable populations, we partnered with trusted community organizations, formed a community advisory group, offered stipends for participation, and hosted a targeted text messaging campaign. Our outreach connected the project to all fourteen counties including the city of St. Louis in the project area, including a high concentration of participation from Census tracts identified as (LIDAC).
A Climate Plan for All
Equity isn’t just about correcting the past, it’s about designing a better future. A climate plan built with and for the communities most impacted is a stronger, smarter plan for everyone.
- When we listen first, we build trust.
- When we elevate lived experience, we unlock practical, place-based innovation.
- When we invest in historically underserved communities, we build resilience that benefits the entire region.
A plan that only works for some is a missed opportunity. A plan grounded in equity is a blueprint for a thriving, just, and sustainable future, for all.