By Barbara Grady, GreenBiz.

When California was building its carbon emissions cap and trade program, environmental justice activist Vien Truong came to the state with an idea.

The green economy had been leaving out the people most hurt by pollution — the low-income communities near highways and ports and power plants who breathe in exhaust and particulate matter.

Because by law the proceeds of the cap and trade system must be invested in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Truong, director of Green For All, suggested setting aside a percentage to assure that disadvantaged communities most affected by pollution benefit.