What does the Conversations stage entail?
Conversations are inclusive, flexible engagements led by a Lived Experience Lead (or the organisation) with marginalised communities who may be affected by proposed environmental sustainability measures.
When planning any environmental sustainability measure, it’s essential to listen to the voices of people who might be most affected by the measure—especially those from marginalised communities. These conversations help with understanding the real-world impact of decisions and ensure that no one is left behind.
If early Scoping shows that a proposed measure could negatively affect certain groups, it is especially important to talk directly with those communities. These conversations help organisations:
- understand the lived experiences of people who may be impacted by an environmental sustainability measure
- fill in any gaps in knowledge or data identified during earlier information gathering
- ensure the process is environmentally just and aligned with co-production principles
Not every measure requires the same level of engagement with communities. The depth of these conversations should match how complex or significant the measure is is—and how much it might affect marginalised groups.
The aim is to make these conversations inclusive, flexible, and respectful. This means:
- using different ways to connect—like one-on-one chats, focus groups, workshops, or joining existing community meetings
- meeting people where they are, rather than asking them to come to the organisation
- promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout
If a Lived Experience Lead is in place, they can assist in guiding these conversations. If not, the organisation can still engage with communities, but this may be more of a consultation than true co-production.
Organisations can build on existing community networks and previous engagement efforts from the early stages of planning an environmental sustainability measure. Every conversation helps an organisation move closer to environmental justice.
All insights from these conversations should be documented to help ensure transparency and accountability.
The Lived Experience Lead at the Conversations stage ensures that marginalised communities are meaningfully involved in shaping environmental sustainability measures. They may:
- lead conversations with potentially impacted groups.
- identify concerns and fill gaps in knowledge.
- promote inclusion through flexible, accessible engagement methods.
- support co-production, ensuring the process is collaborative.
- build trust by meeting communities in their own spaces.
- Document insights in the Environmental Justice Template.
Their role is key to making sure environmental sustainability measures are fair, inclusive, and informed by real-life experiences.
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.
Checklist for Conversations
This checklist is designed to help decision-makers consider the following questions:
- Have you identified any marginalised groups who may be affected by the proposed change?
- Does the information gathered so far suggest possible negative impacts on these groups?
- Are there any gaps in data or understanding that need to be filled through direct engagement/conversations with potentially impacted communities?
- Has a Lived Experience Lead been appointed to guide this process?
- Is the level of engagement with communities proportionate to the complexity and potential impact of the proposed change?
- Are inclusive and flexible methods being used to reach a wide range of voices?
There are a variety of methods being used to engage communities, such as:
- one-on-one meetings?
- focus groups or workshops?
- adding to existing community meetings or Parish Council agendas?
- Is it easy for communities to participate by meeting them in their own spaces where possible?
- Are principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion central to community engagement?c
- Are existing community engagement networks being used?
- Have people who participated in the Explore stage been engaged?
- Have the Conversations been recorded in the Environmental Justice Template?
- Has there been reflection on what has been learned during the Conversation and how it will shape the proposed environmental sustainability measure?
Scenario Example: The Green Streets Initiative
This scenario shows how the Conversations 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 Conversations stage
Given that the proposed green corridors run through a diverse, low-income neighbourhood with a high proportion of elderly residents, disabled individuals, and ethnic minority communities, these groups must be considered potentially impacted. The Lived Experience Lead and organisation should prioritise engagement with:
- Elderly residents who may have mobility concerns.
- Disabled individuals who may face accessibility challenges.
- Ethnic minority communities who may have cultural or language barriers.
- Low-income households who may be concerned about gentrification or displacement.
The Lived Experience Lead should initiate Conversations to:
- Understand how the changes might affect daily routines, access to services, or feelings of safety.
- Identify any unintended negative impacts, such as reduced car access for those with mobility issues or fears of increased policing.
- Fill gaps in data that may not have been captured during the initial information gathering phase.
Given the scale and potential impact of the ‘Green Streets’ initiative, especially in a vulnerable community, extensive and meaningful engagement is warranted. This is not a minor change—it affects transport, accessibility, and public space—so the engagement must be proportionate to its significance.
To ensure equality, diversity, and inclusion, the following methods may be considered:
- Focus groups with elderly and disabled residents, possibly held in local community centres or care homes.
- Workshops with local youth and families, using visual aids and interpreters if needed.
- Pop-up stalls or walk-and-talks along the proposed streets to engage passers-by.
- Meetings with local cultural or faith groups to reach ethnic minority residents.
- Surveys in multiple languages, both online and paper-based, distributed through trusted local networks.
The council should leverage existing community engagement networks, such as:
- Local tenants’ associations.
- Disability advocacy groups.
- Faith-based organisations.
- Schools and youth clubs.
- Health and social care providers.
These networks can help co-design the engagement process and ensure it is accessible and trusted.
If a Lived Experience Lead is not yet appointed, the council may still proceed with consultation but should be transparent about the difference. Ideally, a co-production approach should be pursued to ensure that community voices are not just heard but shape the outcome.
All conversations and insights should be documented in the Environmental Justice Template, including:
- Who was engaged.
- What concerns or ideas were raised.
- How these influenced the final design of the measure.