Everyone’s Environment

Climate change and nature loss affect us all. But not equally. Those facing existing inequalities are often hit first and worst by environmental problems. Yet, those most affected are frequently excluded from public and policy discussions about the solutions. Too often, civil society groups working with these communities find it hard to have the resources to help them have their say on the environmental agenda. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

The Everyone’s Environment programme was launched in 2022 to tackle these challenges. It began from the understanding that environmental action cannot be left solely to environmental organisations, nor can it focus only on reducing emissions. A fair transition means ensuring that, for example, workers moving away from fossil fuel industries gain access to secure, high-quality green jobs, or that people living in social housing can have homes that are both energy-efficient and support their wellbeing. Driving this kind of change requires the voices of those directly affected, and the experience of the charities that support them, to be heard in public, media, and policy debates. Just as vital as traditional research is drawing on the knowledge held by communities, charities, and passionate advocates, especially those on the frontlines of environmental and social challenges.

Everyone’s Environment is a growing movement of over 80 social and environmental charities committed to driving change together. So far, it has worked together to push for environmental policy to be more inclusive in areas such as ensuring people have fairer access to the health and environmental benefits of green and blue space. It has advocated for the inclusion of underrepresented voices in shaping the Government’s Net Zero Public Participation Strategy.

Everyone’s Environment seeks to build environmental action that also strengthens social justice, health, and wellbeing.  It does this through five main tracks of action: bringing people and organisations together, amplifying unheard voices, passing the power to communities, building knowledge, and driving inclusive policy:

• Bringing people and organisations together: Building collaboration across social, environmental, and community organisations to ensure no one is left out of environmental action.
• Amplifying unheard voices: Making sure people most affected by environmental change, and the charities that support them, are heard in public, media, and policy debates.
• Passing the power to communities: Equipping individuals and groups with the tools, training, and platforms to shape the policies and decisions that affect their lives, including by working together to influence change at both local and national levels.
• Building knowledge: Collecting evidence on how environmental change affects different social groups, sharing free tools and guides to help charities take action, and bringing together learning on strategies and tactics that work.
• Driving inclusive policy: Pushing for environmental action that reduces, rather than deepens, social inequalities.