About Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is a framework for integrating economic, social and environmental policy. It requires the continuous integration of environmental considerations into social and economic decision making.

A widely used and accepted international 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.

In global terms we are not even meeting the needs of the present let alone considering the needs of future generations - hence the need to live in a more sustainable way in environmental, economic and social terms.

The revised UK SD strategy "Securing the Future" stresses the interdependency of the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability and emphasises the UK’s international responsibilities. It sets out guiding principles agreed by the UK Government, Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Administration. These are:

  • Living within environmental limits.
  • Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society.
  • Achieving a sustainable economy.
  • Promoting good governance.
  • Using sound science responsibly.

There are also four priority areas for immediate action contained within the strategy:

The Government also recognises that changing behaviour is a cross cutting theme closely linked to all of these priorities. This provides the rationale and guidance on how Government intend to encourage more sustainable behaviour.