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5. Sustainability
A vision of sustainable development encompasses several strands
In DEFRA's A better quality of life: a strategy for sustainable development for the UK, the elements of sustainable development were recognised to include:
Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone - Reducing the harm to health caused by poverty, poor housing, unemployment and pollution, so that everyone can live in a clean and safe environment, and everyone is treated fairly.
Effective protection of the environment - Action to limit global threats such as climate change, protection of human health and safety from hazards such as poor air quality and toxic chemicals, and the protection of wildlife, landscapes, historic buildings, and other things people value.
Prudent use of natural resources - Action to limit global threats such as climate change, protection of human health and safety from hazards such as poor air quality and toxic chemicals, and the protection of wildlife, landscapes, historic buildings, and other things people value.
Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment - So that everyone can share in high living standards and greater job opportunities. It will demand the production of the high quality goods and services that consumers throughout the world want, at prices they are prepared to pay. It will require a workforce equipped with the appropriate education and skills for the 21st century.
- government policy will take account of ten guiding principles:
- putting people at the centre
- taking a long term perspective
- taking account of costs and benefits
- creating an open and supportive economic system
- combating poverty and social exclusion
- respecting environmental limits
- the precautionary principle
- using scientific knowledge
- transparency, information, participation and access to justice
- making the polluter pay
What are some key considerations for environmentally sustainable development?
Effective protection of the environment - action to limit global threats such as climate change, protection of human health and safety from hazards such as poor air quality and toxic chemicals, and protection of wildlife, landscapes, historic buildings, and other things that people value.
Prudent use of natural resources - requiring the efficient use of non-renewable resources like oil and gas, development of alternatives to replace them in due course, and avoidance of serious damage or pollution to renewable resources such as water and land resources.
Maintenance of high economic growth and employment - so that everyone can share in high living standards and greater job opportunities. It will demand the production of high quality goods and services that consumers throughout the world want, at prices they are prepared to pay. It will require a workforce equipped with the appropriate education and skills for the 21st century.
Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone - reducing the harm
to health caused by poverty, poor housing, unemployment and pollution, so
that everyone can live in a clean and safe environment, and everyone is treated
fairly.