Introduction
In 2003, an IESR team in collaboration with Leeds University completed the first major study in the UK on the relationship between environmental quality and social deprivation, in a project for the Environment Agency (EA).
Background and context
The IESR team included Gordon Walker, Jon Fairburn and Graham Smith.The work focused on air quality, major sources of industrial pollution and flood hazard in England and Wales.The objective was to establish if there was a biased social profile to the communities exposed to threats to health and well-being.
Summary of project research
The analysis was undertaken using the facilities of IESR's advanced Geographical Information System (GIS) laboratory.It found that deprived communities are typically exposed to substantially greater potential environmental harm than those that are better off.
The research shows that deprived communities in England are exposed to greater potential environmental impacts than the affluent. More specifically:- Deprived communities suffer the worst air quality
- IPC sites are disproportionately located in deprived areas in England
- Tidal floodplain populations in England are strongly biased towards deprived communities
The patterns in Wales were less distinct and sometimes contradictory. This evidence is now feeding through to high level policy debates within the EA.
Project impact
This research has been widely reported in the media and presented at workshops organised by the EA and DEFRA for policy-making units across government, including representatives from the Department of Health.The research also features in the new draft of the national Sustainable Development Strategy.
Project reports
Four reports are available:- Technical Summary
- Technical Report
- Project Record Part 1: Mitchell G and Walker G (2003) Environmental Quality and Social Deprivation Phase I: A Review of Research and Analytical Methods, R&D Project
- Project Record Part 2: Walker G, Fairburn J, Smith G, Mitchell G (2003) Environmental Quality and Social Deprivation Phase II: National Analysis of Flood Hazard, IPC Industries and Air Quality, R&D Project -
Guardian Society: Escape from Pollutionville
BBC news Magazine Articles:Walker, G. and Chalmers, H. (2004) Delivering a Better Environment. Sustain. Volume 05 Issue 03
See also.. Addressing environmental inequalities 2007Environmental justice in South Yorkshire 2008
Environmental justice in Scotland 2005