TRENTON, NJ – As New Jersey’s gubernatorial race begins to heat up, a coalition of 25 environmental, health, and equity organizations has released a sweeping 121-page policy guide aimed at ensuring the environment remains front and center in the 2025 election.
The report, titled Enviro Fix in ‘26, outlines a broad framework for the next governor to act aggressively on climate change, environmental justice, clean energy, and land conservation. Backed by the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (NJ LCV) and two dozen partner groups, the document seeks to shape policy platforms ahead of what environmental leaders are calling a pivotal election year.
“The next Governor will have a critical role in determining whether New Jersey becomes a national leader in fighting climate change—or falls behind,” said Luke Pavlov, campaign manager for the initiative.
Among the top priorities laid out in the guide are transitioning to 100% clean electricity, protecting drinking water, and preparing communities for extreme weather events. It also calls for preserving 500,000 acres of critical land by 2050 and increasing environmental investment in underserved urban areas.
The document emphasizes equity and resilience as key pillars. Laura Fenster Rothschild of Isles cited programs like GOTrenton! and Whole House as examples of how community-based initiatives can tackle environmental and public health challenges at once.
Policy experts also highlighted the urgent need to strengthen protections for the state’s wetlands, Highlands region, and the Pinelands, which face increasing threats from development, pollution, and climate impacts.
“Environmental protection must be a top-tier issue—not an afterthought,” said Nicole Miller of MnM Consulting. “This guide offers a real path forward for clean air, water, and energy, and calls on New Jersey’s next leaders to act boldly.”
The coalition includes a cross-section of advocacy groups, including the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, The Watershed Institute, Isles, NJ Audubon, and the New Jersey Sustainable Business Council. Each group contributed to different sections of the policy guide, which covers energy, land use, transit, water, agriculture, environmental health, and green economy.
The timing of the release comes as candidates are expected to begin announcing gubernatorial bids in the coming months. Advocates say they want the environment to be baked into every campaign platform from the start.
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Key Points
- NJ LCV and 24 partner organizations released a 121-page environmental policy guide ahead of the 2025 gubernatorial race
- The plan pushes for clean energy, land preservation, and environmental justice across New Jersey
- The coalition calls on all candidates to prioritize environmental policy in their campaign agendas
Environmental advocates are laying out the blueprint early in hopes that New Jersey’s next governor puts climate and justice at the top of the agenda.