Government Departments

The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG)has a remit to promote community cohesion and equality, as well as responsibility for housing, urban regeneration, planning and local government. It unites the communities and civil renewal functions (previously undertaken by the Home Office), with responsibility for regeneration, neighbourhood renewal and local government (previously held by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister). CLG is responsible for the development of Minerals Planning Guidance (MPG) and for Building Regulations and Controls.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) aims to ensure sustainable development, including a better environment at home and internationally, and sustainable use of natural resources.

The Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (now BERR, formerly DTI) has sector specific activity within the construction industry. The Department's objective is to secure an efficient market in the construction industry.

An online public services information facility from the UK government, including an A to Z of local planning authorities.

The Environment Agency (EA) is a Non-Departmental Public Body of DEFRA and an Assembly Sponsored Public Body of the National Assembly for Wales. The Agency's principal aim is to protect and enhance the environment and in doing so to make a contribution towards the objective of achieving sustainable development.

The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) is the largest Agency within the Department of the Environment, taking the lead in advising on, and in implementing, the Government's environmental policy and strategy in Northern Ireland.

The specific mission of the Construction unit within the European Commission is to improve the competitiveness of the construction and construction products industries across Europe. Its aims are, within others, to ensure the completion of the internal market through the implementation of the Construction Products Directive and to encourage actions from industry and Member States, especially in the field of sustainable construction.

The Highways Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, and is responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network in England on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport.

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) leads a wide-ranging programme to modernise procurement in Government, and deliver substantial value for money improvements. It has a specific Property and Construction section.

This website contains information on the OGC experience with the use of recycled materials and the cost savings involved.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation helping governments tackle the economic, social and governance challenges of a globalised economy. It has specific information related to sustainable development.

A 'One-Stop Shop' for online planning information and services, it provides information for the general public, planning professionals and government users on the planning system, planning applications and developments proposed by area.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is the regulatory and enforcement authority for environmental protection and pollution control in Scotland, covering discharges to air, land and water. The Agency is sponsored by the Environment and Rural Affairs Department of the Scottish Executive.

The UK Government's homepage on sustainable development which presents the adopted approach to delivering and mainstreaming sustainable development within the United Kingdom.