Website of the UK government

What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development means a better quality of life now and for generations to come.  A widely-used definition of ‘sustainable development’ is: 'development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'.

It means not using up resources faster than the planet can replenish, or re-stock them and joining up economic, social and environmental goals.

It also influences decision making within organisations, and therefore can go towards forming principles and business ‘values’ - for example, providing information to the public in an open and accessible way and involving people and communities who are affected by those decisions. Or in openly reporting how they run their business and the care they take about the local environment and the people that work for them.

These principles can also apply to government policies – for example, in planning regulations for green buildings and technologies.

It is also about being clear and responsible about the use of scientific, and other, evidence – for example, about levels of pollution or carbon emissions.

The four key areas of activity

Sustainable development covers a very wide range of activities. In the UK, four key areas have been identified:

• sustainable consumption and production: changing the way products and services are designed, produced, used and disposed of – in short, achieving more with less
• climate change and energy – reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the UK and worldwide whilst at the same time preparing for the climate change that cannot be avoided
• natural resources – understanding the limits of the natural resources that sustain life, such as water, air and soil
• sustainable communities – looking after the places people live and work, for example, by developing green, open spaces and building energy-efficient homes

Sustainable production and use of products and services

From manufacturing and transport to packaging and use, the everyday things we buy can have a significant impact on the environment - companies and organisations have a role to play too. 

• Greener shopping: a quick guide

Our effect on the planet

From the felling of rainforests, which means a loss of biodiversity, to the negative effect consumption is having on the environment and the climate - our way of life is placing an increasing burden on the planet.

Code for Sustainable Homes – compulsory rating of all new homes in England

There is a compulsory rating of all new homes in England under the Code for Sustainable Homes (the Code) in relation to sustainability performance of new homes.

The Code is designed to help the building industry to design and build homes to higher environmental standards. The Code also gives new homebuyers better information about the impact of their new home on the environment, and its potential running costs, by setting minimum standards for energy and water use.

• Buying a newly built home

More useful links

• Your local environment
• Sustainable Development (opens new window)
• Sustainable Development Commission (opens new window)
• Sustainable communities - Communities and local government website (opens new window)