Goals of environmental equity in urban climate action plans

Climate change is a growing global concern. Cities will be most vulnerable to its effects, with risks to climate change unevenly faced. Vulnerable communities will experience compounded marginalities and will suffer disproportionately, facing greater environmental impact and loss of resources in comparison to others. Climate change risks the further divide of our society, amplifying the extent of injustice felt if not recognised in climate action plans. The purpose of this research was to identify possible trends between Moss Park and Regent Park, two lower income neighbourhoods in Toronto, Canada, to recognize patterns of environmental justice felt throughout the development of TransformTO Net Zero strategies. Findings aimed to understand the perception of TransformTO at a low-income neighbourhood scale and to identify how this experience may be similar on account of this shared identity. A comparative case study analysis between Moss Park and Regent Park was completed through focus groups, interviews, and desktop research. One focus group and 6 interviews were conducted per neighbourhood. Responses were compared to TransformTO reports, policy development (from 2015 to present) and its evolving focus on equity. The comparison between neighbourhoods deepened the understanding of how the processes of TransformTO have been applied in context. Research was triangulated by including and comparing the responses from community members, experts, and policies through the different data collection methods. Trends of environmental justice on account of income, gender, culture, and immigrant status were found between Moss Park and Regent Park. However, these inequities are presented differently in context, resulting in differing perceptions of TransformTO. Regent Park has a distinguished sense of community, where Moss Park does not. A built community fosters resident-led opportunities of engagement and participation, empowering citizens to demand for justice. Economic status impacted the injustice felt in both neighbourhoods due to the affordability of novel technologies. Most respondents are renters, which restricts their autonomy to make sustainable changes to their homes. Power in decision-making still rests in the hands of political leaders and key decisionmakers. This research concludes there is a lack of context specific approaches to TransformTO. Generalized approaches to environmental justice risks the further marginalization of already underserved communities. Increased education and engagement will empower communities to partake in climate action. Knowledge sharing between the municipality and its constituents will be imperative for a holistic approach to TransformTO. Uniting adaptation and mitigation efforts, intersectionally and intrasectionally, will strengthen sustainable development of the city.