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Sustainability

What do we mean by sustainability?

To us Sustainability is the vision of boosting the local economy, community and environment in a way that ensures a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come, that recognises universal principles.

Sustainability Values

These are based on the 5 principles of sustainable development described in the UK Strategy for sustainable development – Securing our Future, 2005.

What we value about sustainability and want to promote and practice:

Living within environmental limits - Planet

1. Growth is limited

• Understanding that growth is limited by finite natural resources.
• Understanding that there is a limit to the way in which the world, especially the richer countries, can develop.
• Understanding that the consequences of unmanaged and unsustainable growth are increased poverty and hardship, and degradation of the environment, to the disadvantage of us all.

2. Biodiversity is vital and should be encouraged

• Understanding the importance and value of biodiversity in our lives.
• Valuing life and the diversity of living things, not valuing conformity.
• Using natural resources prudently and efficiently.

3. People are part of not apart from the environment

• Recognising how human and natural systems are inter-dependant, depending on each other.
• Spotting and making the environmental connections with different aspects of our lives – social, political, and economic, and between the local and global.
• Considering the potential links, chain reactions and impacts between different systems – economic, social, political and environmental.
• Valuing holistic, system thinking as part of analysis and decision-making.

4. Our generation has a duty to future generations

• Understanding that decisions taken in the short –term may have long-term effects on the environment and future generations.
• Understanding that future generations have needs and rights.
• Valuing the needs of future generations as part of decision-making.

Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society - People

5. Social progress is based on the needs of everyone

• Recognising that for any development to be sustainable it must benefit people in an equitable way, improving everybody’s life, tackling disadvantage, poverty and social exclusion.
• Living and working in a way that consider the rights and needs of others.

6. Short-term basic needs should be met before considering long-term sustainability

• Understanding that sustainable development can only be achieved where there is personal wellbeing, social cohesion and inclusion - living comfortably and in good health, with healthy food and drink, and secure, safe, warm housing.

7. Cultural diversity is vital and encouraged

• Recognising and celebrating the variety of people, not expecting conformity. Recognising what connects us as well as what separates us.
• Valuing differences in people, communities and cultures.

Achieving a sustainable economy - Pound

8. High and stable levels of employment should be maintained

• Understanding that enterprise requires an open, supportive and cyclical economic system.
• Understanding that successful businesses can compete in the global marketplace because they value the qualities of their people, as well as the environment and communities in which they have an impact.
• Valuing social enterprise and alternative ways of trading and making a living.
• Understanding that environmental and social costs should fall on those who impose them, such as making the polluter pay and rewarding efficient resource users.

Promoting good governance – Power

9. Participation and access to information is vital and encouraged 

• Recognising that everyone has a right and responsibility to participate in decision-making that affects their future, as active citizens, not standing by or being placed on the margins.
• Making information accessible and understandable to stakeholders so they are able be informed and involved.
• Valuing local governance and participative democracy where people are empowered and power is shared.
• Valuing inclusion so citizens feel they belong and having a stake in society.
• Valuing dialogue with all stakeholders.

Using sound science responsibly – Precaution

10. Strong scientific evidence, as well as public attitudes and values should info

• Making scientific evidence accessible and understandable to both stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Valuing the public understanding of science for changing people’s behaviour and attitudes.
• Valuing good quality scientific studies of the potential impacts of proposed developments.
• Understanding and valuing public attitudes and concerns to proposed developments.

11. Precaution should be used in decision-making where there is scientific uncertainty

• Understanding that evidence is always increasing, but that little is absolutely certain.
• Understanding that our actions may have unforeseen consequences.
• Valuing a cautious approach to developments that may have an impact on the environment, using the precautionary principle.

Sustainability Checklist

This Sustainability Checklist uses the 5 Principles and 4 Priorities of the UK Government's Strategy for sustainable development - Securing our future, 2005.

The Checklist can be used for considering, recognising, recording, planning or reviewing projects or activities. It can be used to develop a baseline (Where are we now?), and a vision (Where do we want to go?) There should be some potential progress in each of the sections for the project to potentially promote and practice sustainability. An overall score, perhaps with a weighting by local importance, could show the degree of potential.
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Students – A Force for Sustainability

StudentForce have developed a model which can be used to link learning about sustainability with practicing and promoting it with young people in the community and the workplace. Although there are many strategies, policies, charters and conferences promoting young people’s participation in sustainability, there is still a long way to go before young people can be a real force for sustainability.

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