A widely recognised definition of sustainable development is ‘development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. This therefore covers many aspects of society and life, and the UK governments (in all four countries) have worked together on a sustainable development plan.
The UK has come up with five principles of sustainable development, as follows:
- Living within environmental limits.
- Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society.
- Achieving a sustainable economy.
- Using sound science responsibly.
- Promoting good governance.
Because sustainable development covers so many activities, four key areas have then been defined:
These key areas are relevant to all of us. For example, we can try to ensure that we buy products which are sourced locally and have minimal packaging. Reducing energy consumption leads to lower levels of carbon emissions, a key factor in climate change, with simple tasks such as switching to energy saving bulbs or turning the heating down all helping. Saving water is also an important way of being careful with natural resources, and encouraging local councils to plan housing and business developments carefully can lead to more sustainable communities.
For more information on sustainable development, including more detail on the principals and key areas mentioned above, visit the government website on the subject or Directgov
