ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM IN WESTERN EUROPE

In Europe, marginalised communities tend to be overly exposed to pollutants and are situated in the most polluted environments that significantly impact their health and wellbeing. Although there is a lot of climate action taking place, unfortunately, there is little to no research charting the cumulative environmental impacts of the climate crisis on communities of colour in Europe. There have been active efforts by researchers to assess environmental hazards and whom it impacts in different regions of Europe. However, data gaps persist, resulting in communities of colour being overlooked when addressing and implementing policies that concern providing access to communities that need reparative justice for the environmental hazards they are exposed to. These data gaps are the result of the marginalisation of communities of colour by elected officials who tend to overlook them when designing and implementing policies. This research is vital for us to understand better the existing and likely future differential experiences of communities of colour in the face of the climate crisis. That is why we, along with other collaborators are carrying out this research.

This research and resulting report will offer an in-depth snapshot showing the impact the climate crisis has on communities of colour in Western Europe broken down into the countries: Ireland, UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and Portugal. This vital research will enable us to understand better the nature of the climate crisis and how it intersects with racial inequality.

There are three main areas that the research will explore: 

1) The current and historical climate injustices people of colour face in these countries. 

2) The impacts that current domestic and EU policies (mainly the European Green Deal) are having on people of colour. 

3) Concrete policy recommendations on a regional, national and supranational level (EU). We will do this with the aid of respected scholars, experts, civil society actors who specialise in climate, racism and social justice, and the help of community members on the front line.

On the back of the findings in the report, we will be delivering an engaging creative communication and public engagement action plan.

This research project will build on the advocacy work already being done by civil society and will provide the research and data that will help formulate policies and legislation to tackle the devastating impacts of the climate crisis communities of colour are confronted with. This will be via the European Green Deal and domestic climate actions. It is imperative to address the social injustices experienced by communities of colour to avoid widening the inequities we see today.

Our research project will serve activists and climate groups/organisations worldwide with vital research, especially in relation to how western Europe (through centuries of colonial rule and the legacies) extracted and exploited the global south and how we can work towards repairing this historical injustice. This project will also allow us to collaborate with and build on the work many allies in North America have been doing in relation to environmental racism.

If you would like more information or would like to contribute/collaborate with us in this research, please drop us a message on hi@unionofjustice.com