A key sustainable development objective is to balance the competing demands for the finite quantity of land available. The main issues are to minimise the loss of rural land to development and to maintain the vitality and viability of town centres with people living close to where they work. Land Use Indicators Land covered by …

A traditional definition of sustainable development is development that meets our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Implicit in this definition is the recognition of rights of future generation – the right to achieve a sustainable level of development and the right to be able to utilise natural …

Anderson, J., Brook, C. & Cochrane, A. (eds.) 1995. A Global World. New York, Oxford University Press.   Bartelmus, P. 1996. Environmental Growth and Development. London, Routledge.   Bell, S. & Morse, S. 1999. Sustainability Indicators. London, Earthscan Publications Ltd.   Blunden, J. & Reddish, A. 1991. Energy, Resources and Environment. London, Hodder and Stoughton. …

Home design and maintenance can promote and model more sustainable lifestyles. We need housing which better meets people’s changing needs and which – in its construction and over its whole life – is more energy efficient, uses fewer resources and creates less waste. That requires action to address both new and existing housing. The potential …

During 2000, the Government proposed to establish a new Sustainable Development Commission, as proposed in the White Paper A better quality of life, replacing the existing Government Panel and the Round Table. It has done so jointly with the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Executive. There are presently 22 members of …

Decent, energy efficient homes contribute to social cohesion, improved health and better use of fossil fuels and other resources. Housing plays a key role in urban renewal and local regeneration. It should be the goal of any government to offer everyone the opportunity of a decent home. The following indicators illustrate the accessibility of good …

For the past 50 years, the volume of world trade has grown an average six per cent every year. It is now 14 times the level it was in 1950, due in large part to the elimination of trade barriers such as import tariffs, quotas and other restrictions. During the same period, biodiversity has declined, …

The ozone layer shields the Earth against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation coming from the Sun. Man-made CFCs and other chemicals used in refrigeration, aerosol sprays and air conditioning are destroying the ozone layer, allowing more UV radiation to reach the Earths surface. This could pose problems for human health and the natural environment. Fortunately, most …