Sustainable development

What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development is about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. A widely used international definition is 'development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' ('The Bruntland Report, 1987').

Other simple definitions include 'not cheating on our children', and 'treating the planet like we intend to stay'.

What we have to do

The GLA Act states that we must:

Have regard to the effect of all we do on the achievement of sustainable development in the UK.
When preparing or revising strategies, include policies and proposals best calculated to contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the UK.

This is a significant duty, and on a par with the other cross-cutting themes of health and equality of opportunity referred to in the Act.

In addition, the London Development Agency (LDA) has the achievement of sustainable development as one of its five main purposes.

Related links

Air Quality Strategy

Biodiversity Strategy

Economic Development Strategy

Energy Strategy

The London Plan

Waste Strategy

Links to other sites

London Development Agency

UK Government Sustainable Development Unit at DEFRA