Which way leads to a sustainable future? Introducing SustNav...
25/03/2010 14:36
Both our financial and natural resources are under increasing pressure – so:
Should we focus on reducing inequalities or reducing carbon?
Should we invest in improving well being or renewable energy?
Should we revive our worker bee population or our employment figures?
A sustainable future means all of us helping to do all of these essential things but in a joined-up way! This is the most efficient path we can travel along if we want to be resilient to the 21st century changes coming our way.
If this journey sounds just too complicated for you to navigate, help is at hand!
If this journey sounds a little complicated to navigate, help is at hand!
Sustainability South West has been working with the support of regional partners to create an online decision making tool based on the region’s sustainability principles. The tool, along with a promo film, will be launched next month but the South West’s refreshed principles are available to preview below. To mark our launch we will be announcing the organisations and key decision makers who already publicly endorse the application the principles.
If you’d like to be on that list, please contact Freiny Miles, freiny.miles@sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk by Tuesday 20 April.
The journey to a sustainable future must – in the interests of the common good – be beyond party politics. And, in the lead up to the general election, we will be asking political parties if they endorse the SustNav sustainability principles.
There are uncharted waters ahead of us and we’ll all need to support each other to find the way – but let’s at least agree to use the same set of principles to get us there.
Navigate your way to lasting solutions
Apply the SustNav Sustainability Principles to all you do:
Develop sustainability skills
Learn and share the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of sustainability. Lead the way and inspire others to follow.
Improve health and well-being
Support healthy homes and workplaces; safe and green environments; and active, caring communities.
Reduce inequalities
Reduce inequalities at home and abroad, in access to: basic goods and services; work, learning and leisure opportunities; and a decent home.
Cut resource use
Use less and cut carbon (and other greenhouse gas) emissions, water use, waste, and pollution; use materials wisely including increasing the use of renewable energy.
Support low carbon economies
Support a low carbon approach to economic development – including jobs, innovation and enterprise, built development and renewable energy generation.
Reduce high carbon travel
Support low carbon access including walking, cycling, efficient public transport, ICT access and mobile/local service delivery. Fly as a last resort.
Live local
Use local goods and services and nurture and celebrate the distinctiveness, diversity and heritage that make a place special.
Revive our life support systems
Protect and support our natural ‘life support systems’ – air, water, land and overall biodiversity.
Be inclusive
Support wider, more informed participation in local and global challenges. Involve all affected groups in decisions and developments.
Think long term
Take account of changes on the horizon – including climate change – and think in a joined up way to arrive at more resilient solutions.
© 2007 Sustainability South West - UK registered charity, no. 1106125 - info@sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk.