FROM OUR 2025-2029 STRATEGIC PLAN
Our Vision
ANJEC and Environmental Commissions will lead the way for New Jersey’s continued progress in enhancing climate action, environmental justice, and a healthier environment for all. We will invest in community solutions to national, state, and local challenges. Science and data-driven policies and practices will guide our actions to protect and regenerate our shared environment and support inclusive, equitable access to New Jersey’s natural resources.
Theory of Change
When local activism and statewide policy are effectively connected, they influence each other to create meaningful progress for our State’s environment.
ANJEC plays a fundamental role in this process, providing resources and support to local environmental and community health advocates, driving statewide policy initiatives, and connecting local and statewide priorities to generate progress.
ANJEC’s Commitment to Environmental Justice
ANJEC is committed to ensuring that everyone in New Jersey lives in a safe, healthy environment. Communities of color, Indigenous communities, and low-income neighborhoods are often subjected to the worst environmental conditions – experiencing the negative health impacts of pollution at higher rates than other areas.
The environmental justice movement aims to reverse the impacts of environmental policies that create disproportionate harm so that all people can benefit from a healthy environment. This work also improves the overall quality of New Jersey’s environment, since the impact of pollution does not confine itself to municipal borders. By supporting local involvement in environmental advocacy and sound state environmental policy, ANJEC helps to ensure that all communities have a voice in the health and safety of their towns.
SUMMARY OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
Goal #1: Strengthen the role that Environmental Commissions (ECs) play in ensuring strong policies and actions that favor the environment and promote healthy communities.
- Advance legislation that requires Environmental Commissions in all municipalities and increases their influence on local ordinances and planning and land use decisions that impact the environment.
- Increase the percentage of Environmental Commission members who have participated in ANJEC’s Commissioner trainings, making them well-prepared to advocate in their communities.
- Increase member engagement in ANJEC’s initiatives and resources.
- Build capacity for Environmental Commissions through greater collaboration among ECs and with other local advocacy organizations.
Goal #2: Advance New Jersey’s efforts to reduce the impact of climate change and protect clean drinking water.
- Increase local actions that strengthen municipal climate resilience, especially in municipal planning, stormwater management, and open space preservation.
- Advocate for maximum reductions/capture in greenhouse gas emissions through New Jersey-specific policies on transportation, energy production, waste reduction, and building efficiency.
- Advocate for policies and actions that protect, restore, and regenerate clean drinking water for everyone in New Jersey.
Goal #3: Advance environmental justice in overburdened communities and prevent the advancement of harm that exacerbates injustices.
- Proactively support overburdened communities so they can advance their goals for their local environment.
- Collaborate with local communities to develop and secure state and regional policies that promote environmental justice, especially in historically overburdened communities.
- Foster climate resilience in overburdened
Goal #4: Update ANJEC’s business model to promote stable long-term success.
- Diversify sources of revenue to include new donors, new foundation supporters, and new earned revenue strategies.
- Ensure that ANJEC can routinely operate with a modest annual surplus.
- Improve technology and operations to maximize our capacity for impact.
- Revise the staff structure/organizational chart to ensure that all roles align with strategic priorities.
Goal #5: Increase ANJEC’s position as a trusted and reliable resource for local environmental action among multiple constituencies.
- Enhance ANJEC’s position as a leader in statewide environmental progress.
- Increase participation by next generation (under 40 years of age) environmental advocates in local service on their ECs and with ANJEC.