Environmental Justice Measure
A data tool to help measure how people are differently impacted by their environment and climate change.
The Environmental Justice Measure (EJM) is a framework that supports our ambition for a ‘Fairer Environment’.
We are the first local authority to create an interactive framework that covers a broad range of indicators to present transparent information for residents to better understand how environmental change impacts their local ward.
What is the Environmental Justice Measure
The EJM is a new data tool which aims to:
- highlight differences in how people are impacted by their environment and climate change
- show the distribution of green, sustainable resources and spaces across the City
- empower residents with information they need to reduce negative environmental impacts
- inform us about where and how we invest in the local environment
Find out more and view the EJM map
Why it's important
We are ambitious about tackling climate change and have committed to becoming a net zero city by 2040. To achieve this, we need to know what our biggest challenges are and how these impact people’s health, and their social and economic conditions.
By sharing this tool with our communities, we aim to raise awareness of climate and environmental impacts and track our collective progress towards a Fairer Environment.
We want to empower our communities with data that will help them make informed decisions, and to act to reduce negative environmental impacts in their local areas.
Whether it’s starting a local environment action group or sharing tips on how to recycle properly, no act is too small. We can all play our part to make Westminster a greener city to live in and enjoy.
What this information tells you
Our EJM map enables residents to explore and engage with local environmental issues, and consider how they can contribute to improving the area they live and work in. Things they can discover about their local area include:
- locating the nearest green spaces and tree-covered areas
- identify the warmest parts of the city and where you can go to cool down in the hotter months
- find out about local air quality and pollution levels
- explore local access to travel, cycling, bus stops and utilise more sustainable ways to travel around the city
- find out what your flood risk vulnerability is and potential solutions
Read more about what we are doing to tackle climate change in Westminster and discover ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
How we are using it
The EJM will help us focus resources, and empower residents to live sustainable, healthy, environmentally conscious lives.
The council is already using the map to assist in identifying priority areas for environmental improvements, from retrofitting inefficient buildings to informing air quality monitoring and green space improvements.
There are 10 environmental indicators and one socio-economic indicator which show us how residents are impacted by the following seven categories:
- flood risk
- heat risk
- air quality
- tree canopy cover
- access to sustainable transport
- proximity to open spaces
- energy efficiency of buildings
Matt Noble, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Regeneration and Renters said:
We’re focused on creating a Fairer Westminster. Improving public spaces and providing high quality housing is central to achieving this. Our new tool shines a light on the environmental inequality across our City with some of our residents facing very different and more challenging circumstances to their neighbours.
Importantly, by taking the time to get under the skin of this issue we can work with communities and start to make significant improvements.
For regular updates on the environment in Westminster, sign up to our monthly newsletter.
Find out how we developed the Environmental Justice Measure:
Published: 11 November 2022
Last updated: 5 December 2022