On June 14, 2017, the Grenfell Tower fire in West London became one of the UK’s deadliest residential fires since World War II 1. What began as a small kitchen fire from an electrical fault in a fridge-freezer on the fourth floor, the fire spread with a scary speed through the 24-storey high-rise residential flat block and took 72 lives2. Hundreds were left physically injured, emotionally traumatised, and lost their homes. Beyond the visible tragedy lies a deeper, ongoing crisis, one that directly challenges Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The horrific speed of the spread of the fire was fuelled by the building’s cladding, which was installed during a major refurbishment. This cladding is known as Aluminium Composite Material (ACM), which was produced by Arconic, and they were aware that this material is highly flammable3. Despite this, it was widely sold and globally used. Alarmingly, the cassette version of this cladding used in the tower consistently failed European fire safety tests from 2005 to 2015, receiving a poor E rating. These results mean the product did not meet England’s building regulations, which require a minimum of B ratings to be used on tall buildings. Arconic also never tested the product under the UK’s alternative Class 0 standards or conducted a full-scale mock-up test. The British Board of Agreement (BBA), which certifies construction materials, was not informed of the poor test results for the cassette version. Internal warnings were kept confidential, and this omission led to misleading certifications that architects and builders relied upon4.
According to the council, the cladding was installed to improve the building's installation, but many argue it was to make the building more attractive for the Kensington and Chelsea borough, where it is home to some of London's wealthiest houses.
A Preventable Tragedy - Grenfell was more than a catastrophic fire. It was a preventable disaster that exposed deeply rooted systemic failures in housing safety, social inequality, and the treatment of low-income and marginalised communities. The system has failed to protect the people, leading to a fire that should not have happened in this day and age. For years residents persistently voiced concerns about fire safety, inadequate infrastructure, and poor-quality refurbishment, including the highly flammable cladding that accelerated the speed of the fire 5. Their voices were ignored. The cause of the rapid speed of the fire was driven by multiple preventable failures. Negligent material choices, corporate misconduct, outdated and poorly enforced regulations, and governmental inaction despite prior warnings. Grenfell also exposed the disproportionate risks faced by low-income, ethnically diverse residents living in social housing, highlighting deep-rooted inequalities across London boroughs such as Kensington and Chelsea. The tragedy highlighted entrenched inequalities in urban planning and housing policy.
On 20th June, Netflix released the documentary ‘Grenfell: Uncovered’, a powerful and respectful film that revisits the horrific events of the Grenfell Tower fire and the years of systemic neglect that led up to the tragedy. It shows footage that has never been seen before and deeply moving testimonies. It shows personal stories from the residents who were affected by the fire and provides a look at the structural and institutional failures that allowed this disaster to occur. It’s a heart-wrenching reminder of the devastating consequences of cost-cutting, inequality, and a lack of accountability.
Here are some of the highlights from the documentary:
- No evacuation plans were made for residents with disabilities
Grenfell exposed severe neglect of disabled residents. Despite legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and repeated warnings, no personal evacuation plans were in place. Many disabled individuals were left without support during the fire and at least 15 lost their lives, highlighting a systemic disregard for their safety and rights. This lack of planning breached basic human rights and showed how marginalised groups are often overlooked in emergency preparedness.
- ‘Stay put’ policy was outdated
The Inquiry revealed large gaps in firefighter training for high-rise evacuations, especially when managing evacuations and applying the "stay put" policy. This policy advises residents to remain in their flats during a fire, but this is now dangerously outdated as the fire spread rapidly through the building’s flammable cladding. Many firefighters were unprepared to adapt, causing confusion and delays in evacuation.
Why Grenfell Matters for SDG 11
The fire is a heartbreaking example of what happens when cities fail to meet the goals of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. This global goal calls for urban environments that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Grenfell exposed critical failures across several SDG 11 targets.
- Safe and Adequate Housing (Target 11.1)
Grenfell residents lived in a building that lacked basic fire safety features. The use of dangerous cladding materials, the absence of sprinklers, and poor maintenance all point to a failure to provide safe housing. Their basic human rights were violated.
- Inclusive Urban Planning (Target 11.3)
Residents had repeatedly raised concerns about fire safety for years, but their voices were ignored. This reflects a systemic failure to include vulnerable communities in decision-making processes that directly affect their safety.
- Disaster Risk Reduction (Target 11.5)
The fire was entirely preventable. The lack of preparation and insufficient emergency response systems shows the urgent need for cities to reduce the risk and impact of urban disasters.
A Call for Change - Grenfell is a painful reminder that sustainability must go beyond environmental concerns. It’s about justice, equity, and safety. As we work toward SDG 11, we must remember that true sustainability means listening to communities, enforcing safety standards, and putting people before profit. Yet as time passes, there’s a growing risk that the memory of Grenfell will fade from public consciousness. We cannot allow that to happen. The tragedy is not just a moment in history, but it is a continuing call for justice, accountability, and change.
Still No Justice - Eight years on, no one has been held criminally accountable, no prosecutions, no prison sentences, no closure for the families left behind. The public inquiry has exposed damning evidence of regulatory failure, yet justice remains elusive. This ongoing lack of accountability not only deepens their trauma but also raises urgent questions about our collective commitment to the fundamental human rights of health, safety, and dignity. Despite overwhelming evidence of negligence and wrongdoing, few individuals or institutions have faced legal consequences, eroding public trust and exposing a justice system that too often allows harm without consequence.
For those who want to understand the deeper context and hear directly from those affected, I highly recommend watching Grenfell: Uncovered on Netflix. This powerful documentary gives voice to the residents and sheds light on the failures that led to the fire. Let it serve as a reminder that sustainable development must always be rooted in justice, dignity, and the unwavering commitment to never let such a tragedy happen again.
In memory of the 72 lives lost, and in solidarity with the survivors still waiting for justice.
If you’re interested in supporting the campaign for justice and safer homes, please follow this link to join Grenfell United, a group of bereaved families and survivors fighting for change in memory of the lives lost.
References:
- Grenfell Tower Fire – eight years on - Workplace Insight. https://www.assurityconsulting.co.uk/knowledge/insights/grenfell-tower-fire-eight-years-on.
- The Grenfell Tower fire | London Museum. https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/london-stories/grenfell-tower-fire/.
- Grenfell Tower inquiry: 9 things we now know about the cladding - BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56403431.
- Grenfell cladding email: Keep poor test ‘confidential’ - BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56115167.
- Concerns raised about Grenfell Tower ‘for years’ - BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40271723.