The Development of a Sustainable Development Strategy for the UK
An overview of the Chronological Steps which have led to the adoption of a Sustainable Development agenda within the UK Government is presented below:
The Strategy for Sustainable Construction was launched on 11th June 2008. Following on from the launch of the Strategy, a Progress Report on the Strategy for Sustainable Construction was launched on 15th September 2009 providing information on key successes, progress towards deliverables and also key areas of concern.
In July 2007, BERR (Formerly DTI) undertook a consultation on a Draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction. The strategy aims to help the industry deliver more sustainable construction methods and products.
The Strategy aims to realise the shared vision of sustainable construction by:
- Providing clarity to business on the Government's position by bringing together diverse regulations and initiatives relating to sustainability;
- Setting and committing to higher standards to help achieve sustainability in specific areas;
- Making specific commitments by industry and Government to take the sustainable construction agenda forward.
To support the UK Government Sustainable Development Strategy there is a suite of 68 national sustainable development indicators. These include 20 UK Framework Indicators, which are shared by the UK Government and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. All 68 indicators in the strategy fall into one or more of four priority areas:
- Sustainable consumption and production
- Climate change and energy
- Natural resource protection and enhancing the environment
- Creating sustainable communities and a fairer world
Securing the Future - the UK Government Sustainable Development Strategy (Updated March 2005) brings the environment, social progress and the economy alongside each other at the heart of policy making.
It has 4 objectives:
- Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone
- Effective protection of the environment
- Prudent use of natural resources
- Maintenance of high & stable levels of economic growth & employment.
Quality of life counts - indicators for a strategy for sustainable development for the United Kingdom: a baseline assessment (updated April 2004)
This document looked in more detail at the indicators which were used to provide a benchmark against which progress on sustainability was measured, related to the 1999 Strategy.
Building a Better Quality of Life - A Strategy for More Sustainable Construction - 1999 (April 2000)
This is the main collection of sustainable construction policy documents which recommend key action themes to kick-start the adoption of more sustainable practices within the construction industry.
Sustainable Development: The UK Strategy (1994)
The UK becomes one of the first countries to produce a sustainable development strategy in response to the call made at the UN Earth Summit at Rio.
Links to related pages:
