Environmental policies foster societal change towards more sustainable ways of life, linking high quality of life to a sharp decrease in use of natural resources. Socially disadvantaged groups can benefit in particular from these changes. So far, the positive social impacts of environmental policy are not fully recognized in public debate. In this study, opportunities and barriers are explored for better realigning environmental policy actors, initiatives and measures on a local level towards the synergies of environmental and social policies. Potential impacts of environmental policies for enhancing quality of life and social equity in the fields of energy, mobility and urban biodiversity are examined and topics and preconditions for an improved target oriented communication of these social impacts are identified.