Sustainable development
These pages provide you with information on the Sustainability Group’s sustainable development and climate change work. Follow the links on this page to find out more about these areas.
The Sustainability Group's mission statement is:
"To protect, maintain and enhance Shropshire’s unique environment and to improve the quality of life in Shropshire."
In order to achieve this, the group works with a wide range of planning and environment services. In all of these service areas, the group has experts who help to set policy, promote best practice and offer specialist advice. They also carry out research and maintain extensive information resources, which are available to the public.
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is a process of making decisions which balance economic, social and environmental factors for positive benefit. Sustainability doesn’t have to be difficult to understand. It is about treating the earth as if we intend to stay, and making sure that future generations inherit the Earth in a good state.
Social - ensuring a strong, healthy and just society
Meeting the diverse needs of all people in existing and future communities, promoting personal wellbeing, social cohesion and inclusion, and creating equal opportunity for all.
Achieving a sustainable economy
Building a strong, stable and sustainable economy which provides prosperity and opportunities for all, and in which environmental and social costs fall on those who impose them, and efficient use of resources is incentivised.
Living within environmental limits and valuing the protection of our natural resources
Respecting the limits of the planet's environment, resources and biodiversity to improve our environment and ensure that the natural resources needed for life are unimpaired, and remain so for future generations. Natural resources are vital to our existence; we are reliant upon our air, water, soils and biological resources.
Promoting good governance and engaging with people’s creativity, energy and diversity, and ensuring policy is developed and implemented. Building on the basis of strong scientific evidence, as well as public attitudes and values, is essential to understanding and implementing sustainable principles.
Acting in a sustainable way, where decisions are based on fairness and understanding, can shape a world that future generations will thank us for.
How to find out more
Follow the links in the menu for more information about sustainability and climate change, what is happening globally and in the UK, what we are doing in Shropshire and how you can get involved.