The distribution of environmental goods and bads are uneven, both between countries and within countries. In cities, poorer neighbourhoods often experience greater environmental hazards, such as brownfields, and fewer environmental goods, such as parks and waterfronts, than wealthier neighbourhoods. When this environmental injustice is addressed it often leads to increased rent and gentrification.

To address the consequences of the changing climate, adaptation is necessary. However, not much research has been done to understand the social consequences of climate change adaptation in cities. Through a case study of Skt. Kjeld's neighbourhood in Copenhagen, it is analysed how climate change adaptation projects transform neighbourhoods and how they address or create social and environmental inequities.

The results show that a change in focus from urban regeneration to climate change adaptation had consequences for the neighbourhood's socially vulnerable residents, who were the reason for the urban regeneration project in the first place. The neighbourhood is now being planned for the broad majority of residents and to attract the creative class, while the socially vulnerable residents are not specifically targeted. As a result, both environmental and social inequity for this resident group has increased. The risk of gentrification from the new green spaces is also real, but as many of the projects are still under way, the consequences are yet to be seen.