Environmental Justice & Equity: Champion Fair & Inclusive Environmental Solutions

Introduction:

Environmental Justice and Equity empowers professionals to understand and address the social dimensions of environmental problems. This course focuses on analyzing the disproportionate impacts of environmental hazards on marginalized communities and developing strategies for equitable solutions. Participants will learn how to integrate environmental justice principles into policy, planning, and practice. This course bridges the gap between environmental protection and social justice, empowering professionals to create a more just and equitable environmental future.

Target Audience:

This course is designed for professionals involved in environmental management, policy, and community development, including:

• Environmental Advocates
• Policy Analysts
• Community Organizers
• Government Officials
• Urban Planners
• Social Workers
• Environmental Consultants
• NGO Professionals

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this Environmental Justice and Equity course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles and history of environmental justice.
• Analyze the disproportionate impacts of environmental hazards on marginalized communities.
• Implement strategies for integrating environmental justice principles into policy and planning.
• Understand the role of community engagement and participatory decision-making.
• Implement strategies for addressing environmental racism and discrimination.
• Understand the principles of equitable access to environmental resources and benefits.
• Implement strategies for promoting environmental health equity.
• Understand the role of legal and regulatory frameworks in advancing environmental justice.
• Implement strategies for addressing climate justice and environmental gentrification.
• Understand the principles of just transitions and equitable development.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of environmental justice initiatives.
• Enhance their ability to integrate environmental justice into their work.
• Improve their organization's commitment to environmental justice and equity.
• Contribute to the development of just and equitable environmental solutions.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in environmental justice.
• Become a more knowledgeable and effective environmental justice advocate.
• Understand ethical considerations in environmental justice work.
• Learn how to use environmental justice assessment and advocacy tools effectively.

DURATION

10 Days

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Introduction to Environmental Justice

• Overview of environmental justice principles, history, and key concepts.
• Understanding the roots and evolution of the environmental justice movement.
• Introduction to key figures and landmark cases in environmental justice.
• Review of relevant international and national environmental justice frameworks.
• Setting the stage for understanding the social dimensions of environmental problems.

Module 2: Disproportionate Impacts and Environmental Racism

• Analyzing the disproportionate impacts of environmental hazards on marginalized communities.
• Understanding the concept and manifestations of environmental racism.
• Examining case studies of environmental racism and injustice.
• Understanding the role of systemic discrimination and historical legacies.
• Understanding the concept of cumulative impacts.

Module 3: Community Engagement and Participatory Decision-Making

• Implementing strategies for meaningful community engagement in environmental decision-making.
• Utilizing participatory approaches and collaborative partnerships.
• Analyzing the role of community-based research and citizen science.
• Understanding the importance of cultural competency and language access.
• Understanding the importance of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC).

Module 4: Environmental Health Equity

• Understanding the principles of environmental health equity.
• Analyzing the impacts of environmental hazards on public health disparities.
• Implementing strategies for promoting environmental health in vulnerable communities.
• Understanding the role of access to healthcare and healthy environments.
• Understanding the importance of prevention.

Module 5: Legal and Regulatory Frameworks for Environmental Justice

• Analyzing the role of legal and regulatory frameworks in advancing environmental justice.
• Understanding the use of civil rights laws and environmental statutes.
• Implementing strategies for environmental justice advocacy and litigation.
• Analyzing the role of regulatory agencies and enforcement mechanisms.
• Understanding the concept of disparate impact.

Module 6: Environmental Justice in Policy and Planning

• Implementing strategies for integrating environmental justice principles into policy and planning.
• Analyzing the role of environmental justice impact assessments.
• Understanding the principles of equitable development and land use planning.
• Utilizing environmental justice screening tools and mapping.
• Understanding the importance of interagency collaboration.

Module 7: Climate Justice and Environmental Gentrification

• Understanding the principles of climate justice and the disproportionate impacts of climate change.
• Analyzing the role of environmental gentrification and displacement.
• Implementing strategies for climate adaptation and mitigation in vulnerable communities.
• Understanding the importance of just transitions and climate resilience.
• Understanding the role of community-led climate action.

Module 8: Just Transitions and Equitable Development

• Understanding the principles of just transitions and equitable development.
• Analyzing the role of economic development and job creation in environmental justice.
• Implementing strategies for promoting sustainable and equitable economic opportunities.
• Understanding the importance of community-based economic development.
• Understanding the role of workforce development.

Module 9: Food Justice and Access to Healthy Environments

• Understanding the principles of food justice and access to healthy food.
• Analyzing the role of food deserts and food swamps in environmental injustice.
• Implementing strategies for promoting community gardens and urban agriculture.
• Understanding the importance of access to green spaces and recreational areas.
• Understanding the concept of food sovereignty.

Module 10: Addressing Environmental Racism and Discrimination

• Implementing strategies for addressing environmental racism and discrimination.
• Analyzing the role of implicit bias and institutional racism.
• Utilizing restorative justice and conflict resolution techniques.
• Understanding the importance of cultural humility and allyship.
• Understanding the role of truth and reconciliation processes.

Module 11: Equitable Access to Environmental Resources and Benefits

• Understanding the principles of equitable access to environmental resources and benefits.
• Analyzing the role of resource allocation and distribution.
• Implementing strategies for promoting equitable access to clean water, air, and energy.
• Understanding the importance of equitable access to parks and recreational areas.
• Understanding the concept of environmental amenities.

Module 12: Environmental Justice Advocacy and Organizing

• Implementing strategies for environmental justice advocacy and organizing.
• Analyzing the role of grassroots movements and community-based organizations.
• Utilizing communication and media strategies for environmental justice campaigns.
• Understanding the importance of coalition building and networking.
• Understanding the role of storytelling and narrative change.

Module 13: Monitoring and Evaluating Environmental Justice Initiatives

• Implementing strategies for monitoring and evaluating environmental justice initiatives.
• Utilizing indicators and metrics to assess environmental justice outcomes.
• Analyzing the role of community-based monitoring and evaluation.
• Understanding the importance of data disaggregation and equity analysis.
• Understanding the concept of participatory evaluation.

Module 14: Case Studies and Best Practices in Environmental Justice

• Analyzing real-world case studies of successful environmental justice initiatives.
• Learning from best practices across different communities and regions.
• Identifying key lessons learned and challenges in implementation.
• Discussing the role of innovation and leadership in environmental justice.
• Sharing knowledge and experience.

Module 15: Future Trends and Action Planning for Environmental Justice

• Exploring emerging trends and opportunities in environmental justice (digital tools, data analytics, intersectionality).
• Developing action plans for advancing environmental justice within organizations and communities.
• Analyzing the role of individual and collective action in environmental justice.
• Understanding the importance of long-term commitment to environmental justice.
• Understanding how to stay up to date on environmental justice information.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 5 working days before commencement of the training.