What is environmental justice?

Environmental justice aims to close environmental protection gaps and environmental issues by addressing the environmental concerns that underrepresented populations face. These communities frequently bear the burden of pollution and other environmental risks because of issues such as discriminatory zoning laws, industrial facilities located in their neighbourhoods, and limited access to resources and decision-making processes.

Fairness and equality

Environmental justice assures that no community endures an unequal share of environmental threats, pollution, or unhealthy living circumstances. It seeks to eliminate social-environmental issues and disparities by distributing the environmental risks.

Public health and safety

Pollutants and dangerous substances are more likely to be present in marginalised populations, resulting in negative health impacts such as respiratory ailments, malignancies, and developmental abnormalities. Environmental justice law attempts to address these issues and promotes cleaner air, water, and soil to protect public health and safety.

Community empowerment

Environmental justice encourages communities to engage actively in environmental decision-making processes. It promotes participation and collaboration among community members, government agencies, and other stakeholders to address environmental challenges together.

Sustainable development

Environmental justice fosters long-term growth by integrating social, economic, and environmental factors. It promotes clean technologies, renewable energy sources, and environmentally friendly practices.

Promotes democracy

Environmental justice emphasises the value of democratic principles in environmental policies and laws. It encourages transparency, inclusiveness, and access to information, allowing communities to hold decision-makers accountable for their actions.

Improved quality of life

By resolving environmental injustices, communities can benefit from improved air and water quality, reduced exposure to harmful substances, and an increased overall well-being. Other benefits may include improved health outcomes, increased life expectancy, and a higher quality of life.

Economic opportunities

By helping to generate green jobs, renewable-energy projects, and sustainable enterprises, environmental justice can help boost local economies.

Education and awareness

Environmental justice initiatives can help improve environmental awareness and encourage individuals to safeguard their environment and advocate for change.

Climate resilience

Environmental justice is inextricably tied to climate justice and marginalised groups more often suffer the consequences of climate change. Communities can become more resilient to climate-related difficulties and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Social unity

Environmental justice promotes social cohesion by bringing various groups together to address shared social-environmental issues. It fosters community members’ participation, conversation, and mutual support, resulting in deeper social relationships and a sense of belonging.

GHD believes that social interaction impacts the environment in ways we cannot fully comprehend. That is why we offer various environmental services to help our clients develop projects, enhance performance, and remediate operations while managing risks and impacts.

We have built a reputation for excellence by providing integrated, practical, and innovative solutions to government agencies at all levels, as well as public and private organisations. We are committed to assisting in the transformation of ideas into reality while meeting governmental, community, and environmental criteria. We help clients achieve their objectives by leveraging our global network of qualified engineers, scientists, auditors, planners, and environmental specialists.

We offer services that help with the goal of environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation, which include:

• Air and noise services
• Aquatic science
• Contamination assessment and remediation
• Engagement, communication, and communities
• Food and agriculture
• Future energy
• Hydrogen
• Hydrology and hydrodynamics
• Natural resources
• Waste management
• Sustainability

To learn more about GHD, visit our website, and read more about our services and expertise on our innovation and expertise page, and together, let us promote environmental sustainability.

Articles referenced

^{Commonwealth of Massachusetts n.d., ‘Objectives of environmental justice’, retrieved June 1, 2023, from https://www.mass.gov/service-details/objectives-of-environmental-justice/}

^{Conserve Energy Future n.d., ‘What is environmental justice: Principles, importance and examples’, retrieved June 1, 2023, from https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/environmental-justice-principles-importance-examples.php}

^{GHD n.d., ‘Environment’, retrieved June 1, 2023, from Environment | Integrated Environmental Solutions | GHD}

^{US Environmental Protection Agency 2022, ‘Learn about environmental justice’, retrieved June 1, 2023, from https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/learn-about-environmental-justice}