Sustainable development is a term that has been commonly used since the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It resulted from an acknowledgement that current patterns of development are not sustainable in the long term. A more sustainable form of development has to balance economic progress with social equity and environmental needs and not deplete resources that future generations may depend on.
The four separate aims of the Government’s 1999 Sustainable Development Strategy have been replaced by a single goal in the 2005 strategy Securing the Future. It states that the goal of sustainable development is to “enable all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life, without compromising the quality of life for future generations”.
It goes on to say that this goal will be pursued in an integrated way through:
- a sustainable, innovative and productive economy that delivers high levels of employment;
- a just society that promotes social inclusion, sustainable communities and personal well-being;
- ways that protect and enhance the physical and natural environment, and use resources and energy as efficiently as possible.
The strategy has identified four priorities for action
- sustainable consumption and production
- climate change
- natural resource protection
- sustainable communities.
You can read about those topics, and more, by visiting www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/what/index.htm
Download the full document by clicking on the link ‘Securing the Future’.
If you require further information, please contact Customer Services: customer.services@e-lindsey.gov.uk
