What does the Publish and Share stage entail?
The publishing and sharing stage involves final approval of an environmental sustainability measure by senior management, followed by transparent communication with affected communities about both positive and negative impacts. It may include sharing the measure and the process followed through this Environmental Justice Framework publicly to build trust, demonstrate accountability, and encourage wider adoption of good practices. The process also involves reflecting on lessons learned and documenting all actions in the Environmental Justice Template.
Every environmental sustainability measure and action plan to address impacts should be reviewed and approved by the organisation’s senior management to ensure it aligns with values and responsibilities.
The organisation should share the final environmental sustainability measure together with the actions to address impacts with the communities and individuals who may be affected—especially those identified earlier in the process. The organisation should share:
- Positive impacts the change may bring to their community.
- Any remaining negative impacts, along with the steps we’re taking to reduce them.
If some negative impacts can’t be avoided, the organisation should clearly explain why the measure is still necessary and commit to ongoing support for those impacted, monitoring and improvement.
Any Lived Experience Lead and the organisation should reflect on what has been learnt throughout the process—what worked well and what could be done better next time.
Once everything is in place, the organisation should publish and share the environmental sustainability measure with the public. This includes:
- A summary of the change
- The results of the environmental justice assessment
- Details of both positive and negative impacts
- Actions taken to address any impacts
This open approach helps build trust, shows the organisation’s commitment to environmental justice, and encourages others to follow the same Framework.
Details of Publishing and Sharing should be recorded on the Environmental Justice Template to ensure transparency and accountability.
The Lived Experience Lead plays a key role in ensuring that environmental sustainability measures are developed and shared in a way that is inclusive, transparent, and just. Their responsibilities include:
- Engaging with impacted communities: Ensuring that those identified as relevant rights holders are informed about both the positive and negative impacts of proposed changes before they are made public.
- Supporting transparency and accountability: Helping to communicate any remaining negative impacts and the actions being taken to reduce them, including justifications for proceeding with the measure.
- Reflecting and learning: Collaborating with the organisation to reflect on the process, identify what worked well, and consider improvements for the future.
- Promoting environmental justice: Contributing to the public sharing of the measure and its environmental justice assessment to build trust, demonstrate transparency, and encourage good practice across other organisations.
Tool: Environmental Justice Template
The Environmental Justice Template is the tool through which to record the different stages of the Environmental Justice Framework.
Within the template, there is space to record each stage. These notes and reflections can then be returned to and reviewed at the end of the process.
Publishing and Sharing Checklist
Has the final environmental sustainability measure and action plan been reviewed and signed off by senior management?
- Have all potentially impacted communities (identified earlier as rights holders) been informed of the detail of the final measure?
- Have the positive impacts on these communities been clearly communicated?
- Have any remaining negative impacts been shared with those affected?
- Have actions to reduce negative impacts been explained?
- If negative impacts remain, has a clear and transparent justification for continuing with the environmental sustainability measure been provided?
- Is there a commitment to monitor and review any ongoing negative impacts and provide support to impacted communities?
- Have the Lived-Experience Lead and the organisation reflected on the assessment process?
- Have lessons learned been identified (what worked well, what could be improved)?
- Has the environmental sustainability measure been published and shared across wider networks?
- Does the publication include:
- A summary of the measure?
- The environmental justice assessment?
- Details of positive and negative impacts?
- Actions taken to address impacts?
Have all details of publishing and sharing been recorded in the Environmental Justice Template?
Scenario Example: The Green Streets Initiative
This scenario shows how the Publish and Share stage of the framework might be applied.
Description of the proposed measure: The local council of a mid-sized town is planning to implement a ‘Green Streets’ initiative. The project involves converting several car-dominated streets into pedestrian-friendly green corridors with trees, seating, bike lanes, and community gardens. The goal is to reduce air pollution, encourage active travel, and improve public health. The proposed streets run through a diverse, low-income neighbourhood with a high proportion of elderly residents, disabled individuals, and ethnic minority communities.
Applying the Publishing and Sharing stage to the ‘Green Streets’ Initiative
Before announcing the ‘Green Streets’ initiative publicly, the final initiative and environmental justice assessment must be reviewed and approved by senior leadership within the local council. This ensures accountability and alignment with broader strategic goals.
Before announcing the ‘Green Streets’ initiative publicly, the final initiative should be shared with those potentially impacted communities (such as elderly residents, disabled individuals, ethnic minority communities and low-income households). Any positive outcomes to these communities should be shared such as:
- Improved air quality and reduced traffic noise
- Safer, more accessible streets for walking and cycling
- New green spaces for relaxation and socialising
- Opportunities for community gardening and local stewardship
Any actions to reduce negative impacts should be shared with potentially impacted communities such as:
- Providing alternative transport solutions for disabled and elderly communities
- Committing to anti-displacement policies and affordable housing protections
Any remaining negative impacts should be shared with potentially impacted communities with details on how these impacts are going to be monitored and support that is going to be provided to impacted groups (e.g. commitment to ensuring community feedback loops so negative impacts can be regularly assessed).
The Lived-Experience Lead and the council should:
- Reflect on what engagement methods worked well
- Identify gaps or missed voices
- Document lessons learned to improve future initiatives
Once the internal and community processes are complete:
- Publish the full Green Streets initiative and environmental justice assessment
- Include:
- Positive and negative impacts
- Mitigation strategies
- Community feedback and how it shaped the plan
- Share across:
- Council website and newsletters
- Local media
- Community centres and libraries
- Social media and local forums
This builds trust, shows transparency, and encourages replication of good practice.
All of this should be recorded in the Environmental Justice Template, including:
- Stakeholder engagement records
- Impact assessments
- Mitigation plans
- Publication and dissemination strategies
