Community Capacity Building and the Environment: Sustainable Development and Environmental Justice

Community capacity building in the area of the environment is an area of growing interest. The recognition that environmental ills are often confronted by those from the most vulnerable parts of society, such as the poor and migrant communities, has led to increased demands for environmental justice within the framework of sustainable development. Beginning with a discussion of the ideas of sustainable development and environmental justice, the chapter then goes on to explore the role and contribution of community capacity building within these frameworks. Utilising case studies from Europe, the Americas and Australasia, this chapter identifies key determinants for successful community capacity building in the environmental sector.