One Planet Living is the title of a joint initiative between the WWF, the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organisation, and the BioRegional Development Group, an independent environmental organisation. The premise behind One Planet Living is that, if everyone lived their lives as we do in the UK, we would need three planets to sustain us. This scheme therefore looks at ways in which we can and must live in order to ensure that we exist within the parameters which the planet’s resources offer.
The aim of One Planet Living is to build a worldwide network of communities which are truly sustainable. The partnership between BioRegional and WWF therefore provide expertise to developers who wish to build sustainable developments. In order to be a One Planet Living community, there are certain criteria to be met, not least of which is the adherence to the ten guiding principles. These include being zero carbon, zero waste and using sustainable transport and local and sustainable food.
BedZED (Beddington Zero Energy Development) is an eco-friendly development around which the One Planet Living initiative is designed. The community was first inhabited in 2002 and consists of homes, community facilities and workplaces. There are now also One Planet Living projects underway around the world including in Portugal, Australia and China.
As well as developments aiming for One Planet Living endorsement, individuals are also encouraged to take on board the ten principles in order to reduce the environmental impact of their lives. For more information visit the One Planet Living website
