What does the Information Gathering stage entail?
If the earlier Scoping assessment shows that a proposed environmental sustainability measure might have positive or negative effects on different community groups (particularly those who are marginalised), the next step is to gather more information to be able to assess these impacts. This helps organisations understand how the change could affect people — especially those from marginalised or underrepresented communities.
Information Gathering should be done together — with the organisation working closely with any Lived Experience Lead. Some data may already have been collected during earlier stages of the Framework, but this step is about going deeper and wider.
The aim is to build a fuller picture of the potential impacts of the proposed environmental sustainability measure, so organisations can make better decisions and co-create policies, plans, and actions that are fair and inclusive.
Both quantitative data (like statistics) and qualitative insights (like personal stories or feedback) should be gathered. This includes information evidencing potential impacts of the proposed environmental sustainability measure on those:
- with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010
- from low socio-economic groups
- from other marginalised communities
Information may also be gathered on how such identities intersect and influence each other in relation to potential impacts.
Not having all the data should not stop organisations from assessing the impact of the proposed environmental sustainability measure. If there are gaps, the organisation should do it’s best to fill them. For brand-new sustainability measures, there might not be much information yet — and that’s okay. The organisation should seek to make the most informed judgement possible, and the next stage of engaging in Conversations will help strengthen it.
As part of this stage, complete the Environmental Justice Template and ask:
- What do we need or want to know?
- Who can help us decide what kind of evidence we need, and where to find it?
- What evidence do we already have — inside and outside the organisation?
- What do we need to make sure all voices and perspectives are included?
- Where are the gaps, and how can we fill them?
The Lived Experience Lead plays a central and collaborative role during the Information Gathering stage of assessing the impact of environmental sustainability measures. Their key responsibilities include:
- Co-leading the information gathering process with the organisation to ensure a comprehensive understanding of how proposed changes may affect marginalised communities.
- Helping to identify and fill gaps in existing data, especially where impacts on protected characteristics (as defined by the Equality Act 2010), socio-economic groups, and intersecting identities are concerned.
- Ensuring that both quantitative and qualitative data are collected to reflect a wide range of lived experiences.
- Supporting the development of reliable judgments in cases where limited data exists, especially for new or innovative environmental sustainability measures.
- Contributing to the completion of the Environmental Justice Template, including addressing key questions about what evidence is needed, where it can be found, and how to ensure all relevant perspectives are considered.
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.
Information Gathering Checklist
This checklist is designed to help decision-makers consider the following questions:
- What do we need or want to know about the potential impact?
- What are the key areas of concern for marginalised or underrepresented communities?
- Have you involved the Lived Experience Lead in planning and gathering information?
- Are you working collaboratively with relevant stakeholders?
- What evidence do we already have from the Explore and Scoping stages?
- What internal data is available within the organisation? (e.g. are there HR or service usage reports that show how different groups are currently impacted)
- What external sources can provide useful insights? (e.g. are there academic studies, government reports, or NGO publications on similar environmental changes?)
- What perspectives or communities are missing from your current understanding?
- Where are the gaps in your evidence? (e.g. you may lack data on how the change affects people with caring responsibilities or those without internet access)
- How can you gather the missing information? (e.g. could you distribute accessible surveys?)
- Does your data include both quantitative (numbers) and qualitative (stories, feedback) information?
- Have you considered information on protected groups under the Equality Act 2010?
(e.g. have you looked at information on impacts related to age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation?) - Have you included information on potentially impacted different socio-economic groups and other marginalised communities? (e.g. those in temporary housing, those from rural communities, those on low incomes, or people with limited English proficiency?)
- Have you considered information on how different identities intersect and influence impact of the potential measure? (e.g. how might a young, disabled woman of colour experience the proposed measure differently than others)
- Have you completed the Environmental Justice Template with the Information Gathered?
- Are you ready to use this information to assess the impact of the proposed measure and inform decisions and co-create environmental sustainability measures moving forward?
Applying the Information Gathering stage to the ‘Green Streets’ Initiative
This scenario shows how the Information Gathering 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 Information Gathering stage to the ‘Green Streets’ Initiative
The Scoping stage has likely identified some general impacts of the Green Streets measure both positive (e.g. improved air quality, safer streets, better health) and potential negative impacts (e.g. displacement of car users, accessibility concerns, gentrification) of the initiative — especially for marginalised groups in the neighbourhood.
- Lived Experience Lead: The Lived Experience Lead should be able to assist in gathering information about different communities based on their understanding of the lived realities of elderly residents, disabled individuals, and ethnic minorities.
- Community Partners: Local disability advocacy groups, cultural associations, and tenant/resident groups could be involved in sharing and collecting relevant information.
- How will the Green Street initiative affect mobility and access for disabled and elderly residents?
- Will the removal of car access impact essential travel (e.g. carers, deliveries, taxis)?
- Are there concerns about safety of vulnerable groups, especially at night?
- Will the initiative lead to rising rents or displacement of marginalised groups?
- How do different groups use the streets currently, and how might that change?
- Local equality officers
- Urban planners
- Public health teams
- Community leaders and advocacy groups
- Academic partners with expertise in urban justice or transport equity
- Local demographic data (age, disability, ethnicity, income)
- Health and air quality statistics
- Previous consultations or surveys
- Transport usage data (e.g. car ownership, walking/cycling rates)
- If there’s limited data on how disabled residents use the streets, conduct accessibility mapping.
- If ethnic minority voices are underrepresented, partner with trusted community organisations to gather input.
- Plan creative engagement methods (e.g. walk-alongs, photo diaries) to reach those less likely to attend formal meetings.
- Quantitative: Demographics, transport patterns, air quality, health indicators
- Qualitative: Personal stories, community concerns, lived experiences
- Intersectional: How age, disability, ethnicity, and income combine to shape impact
This should be completed collaboratively with any Lived Experience Lead and revisited as new information emerges.
