Website of the UK government

What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development can be defined as development that:

• meets the needs of the present and
• doesn't compromise 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.

How sustainable development informs businesses, organisations and government

Sustainable development influences decision-making within organisations, and can go towards forming principles and business values. Some examples of business values influenced by sustainable development principles could be:

• providing information to the public in an open and accessible way
• involving people and communities who are affected by business
• decisions openly reporting how the business is run
• taking care of the local environment and the people working for the business

Sustainable development principles can apply to government policies. An example of this could be a government bringing in planning regulations to make sure that new buildings are built in a more eco-friendly way.

Sustainable development is also about being clear and responsible about the use of scientific, and other, evidence. This could mean making information on the levels of pollution readily available, or being open about the effect of carbon emissions.

Sustainable development in the UK

Sustainable development in the UK involves all parts of central and local government, as well as other organisations like the Sustainable Development Commission. There are important goals set on waste, carbon emissions, fuel poverty and other measures.

The progress that is made towards these goals is published each year in 'Measuring progress: sustainable development indicators'. You can download a free copy of this booklet using the link below.

• Download a copy of 'Measuring progress: sustainable development indicators' Opens new window

• More about sustainable development from the Sustainable Development Commission Opens new window

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 can't 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 where people live and work by, for example, 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. 

• Shoppers: ways to be greener

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 design and build homes to higher environmental standards. It gives new homebuyers better information about the impact of their new home on the environment, and on potential running costs. The Code also sets minimum standards for energy and water use.

• Buying a newly built home - things to check

More useful links

• Measuring progress: sustainable development indicators 2010 Opens new window

• Sustainable communities - Communities and local government website Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Environment and Greener Living contacts