New analytical tools have been introduced to precisely map the intersection of environmental, socio-economic, and health pressures on communities across England. Launched at the outset of London Climate Week, these instruments are designed to provide organisations with robust, street-level evidence, allowing them to identify areas most severely impacted by environmental degradation and climate change.
The initiative stems from a recognition that communities from lower socio-economic backgrounds often bear a disproportionate burden of environmental and climate change impacts. These communities frequently face greater barriers to taking action, particularly in areas vulnerable to extreme heat and flooding. The new tools aim to address this by offering a clear, consistent, and transparent evidence base for a wide range of users, including local authorities, government departments, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
The first tool, the Index of Multiple Environmental Deprivation (IMED), maps cumulative environmental pressures across England. This includes factors such as climate risks, air quality, flood risk, noise pollution, and access to green spaces, all viewable at a street-level resolution. Building on this, the Environmental Equity Index (EEI) integrates socio-economic and health indicators, revealing where these various pressures converge and accumulate. Used in conjunction, the tools are intended to highlight areas experiencing the greatest combined burdens, thereby supporting more targeted and joined-up responses.
Speaking on the launch, John Leyland, Executive Director of Environment and Business at the Environment Agency, emphasised the importance of protecting all communities from environmental pressures, noting that some face greater challenges than others. He stated that these tools provide a clear picture of environmental pressures across England, enabling resources to be directed where they are most needed. David Drake, Director for People and Nature at Natural England, added that the tools offer decision-makers an unprecedented, high-resolution evidence base to pinpoint environmental disadvantage and inform action.
Mike Childs, Head of Science, Policy and Research at Friends of the Earth, welcomed the launch as a significant step towards improving access to information and environmental justice. He highlighted that these tools will empower communities and councils to understand local environmental risks and prioritise areas for action, citing the value of such resources in delivering change at the local level. Examples of potential interventions include urban greening projects, housing retrofits, heat-resilient design standards, and targeted public health responses, all prioritised for the most deprived areas.
The development of these tools represents a collaborative effort, with input from government agencies like the Environment Agency and Natural England, alongside academic institutions such as Staffordshire University and the University of Leeds, and environmental campaign groups. This multi-stakeholder approach aims to ensure the tools are comprehensive and effective in addressing the complex interplay of environmental and social challenges facing communities across the country.
Source: Environment Agency