ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at concepts evolved so far in the nascent sphere of environmental justice, which is firstly concerned with assessing spatial inequalities in ambient burdens, risks, and resources. Environmental justice—the strive to ease inequalities in the spatial distribution of risks and resources within cities—is a concept that has turned prominent during COVID-19 lockdowns. Stark differences had been made visible during the pandemic in both exposure to infection risk and economic hardship as well as access to means of relief such as safe and green open spaces for different strata of society. Concepts evolved so far in Europe in the nascent environmental justice sphere are first concerned with assessing spatial inequalities in ambient burdens, risks, and resources. Based on data gained by such a thorough assessment, local and regional authorities are thus enabled to support the most affected districts and areas in a targeted manner.
