Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Environmental Justice (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Environmental Justice
Environmental justice refers to the right of all people to live in a pollution-free environment and to have equitable (i.e. fair and equal) access to natural resources
This is regardless of issues such as race, gender, socio-economic status or nationality
Inequalities and disparities
Inequalities in income, race, gender and cultural identity within and between different societies lead to disparities in access to water, food and energy
For example:
Some communities cannot afford reliable access to clean water or electricity
Privatisation of water sources can make this issue worse, leading to higher costs and unequal access
In India, rural communities often struggle to afford electricity, limiting job opportunities and opportunities for development
Environmental injustice
Environmental injustice refers to the unequal distribution of environmental burdens and benefits, often due to factors such as race, class, or other social factors
It includes situations where marginalised communities experience a greater number of environmental hazards or lack access to environmental goods and services
At the local level, environmental injustice can occur in various ways, such as:
The presence of hazardous facilities such as landfills, incinerators, or industrial plants in or near to low-income or minority neighbourhoods
Pollution hotspots mainly harm poorer communities, causing health problems
Lack of access to clean water, safe housing, or green spaces in economically disadvantaged areas
Environmental injustice is not limited to local contexts but also occurs on a more global scale, such as:
Exploitation of natural resources in developing countries by multinational corporations, leading to environmental degradation and displacement of Indigenous communities
Export of general or hazardous waste from wealthier nations to poorer countries, exposing vulnerable populations to health risks
Climate change impacts disproportionately affecting low-income countries and communities with limited resources to adapt or mitigate
In general, environmental injustice increases existing social inequalities and undermines human rights, particularly for vulnerable populations
It often leads to negative health outcomes, economic disparities and challenges to the well-being and resilience of the communities affected
Case Study
Local environmental injustice: Altgeld Gardens Landfill, Chicago, USA
Altgeld Gardens, a predominantly African American low-income neighbourhood on Chicago's South Side, has faced environmental injustices for decades.
The Altgeld Gardens Landfill, initially operated by the city in the 1940s, served as a dumping ground for municipal waste, hazardous materials and toxic industrial by-products.
Residents of Altgeld Gardens have long complained of air and water pollution, foul odours, respiratory problems and other health issues due to their proximity to the landfill.
Despite community protests, lawsuits and demands for closure, the landfill continues to operate as a waste transfer station, allowing environmental injustice to continue and increasing health concerns among residents.
Global environmental injustice: plastic waste export from Europe to Southeast Asia
Over the last few decades, developed countries (particularly those in Europe) have increasingly exported their plastic waste to developing nations in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
The huge influx of plastic waste, often labelled as recyclable, overwhelms the waste management infrastructure of these countries, which are unable to recycle the plastic in a proper or environmentally responsible way.
Local communities living near waste processing facilities experience significant environmental degradation, with open burning and improper disposal of plastic waste contributing to air and water pollution and serious public health risks.
The exportation of plastic waste increases existing inequalities between developed and developing countries. Poorer nations end up dealing with most of the pollution, suffering from its negative effects on the local environment and on the health and well-being of local populations. This example highlights the serious injustices in global waste management and environmental governance.
Application of sustainability and environmental justice
The principles of sustainability and environmental justice can be applied across various scales, from individual actions and decision-making to national policies to global policy frameworks
Operating scales
Individual scale:
Personal actions greatly affect the environment
Everyday choices and behaviours can shape environmental outcomes and contribute to broader patterns of consumption and resource depletion
Choices like reducing waste, saving energy and supporting eco-friendly products can make a difference
For example, choosing reusable products, using public transport and backing local green projects can help create a more sustainable world
Global scale:
International efforts like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) tackle major environmental issues
By working together and being more accountable for their actions, countries can protect the environment and work towards removing environmental injustices
For example, SDG 13 focuses on fighting climate change and building a greener future for everyone
Examiner Tips and Tricks
You should familiarise yourself with specific examples of environmental injustice, both locally and globally (at least one of each).
Other examples of environmental injustice could include the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (2010), the Union Carbide gas release in Bhopal, India (1984), or Maasai land rights in Kenya and Tanzania.
You need to be able to critically evaluate the underlying causes, impacts and responses to these injustices.
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