What is sustainability?

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 intended 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 well-being, 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 resources use is incentivised.

Living within environmental limits and 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 on the basis of strong scientific evidence as well as public attitudes and values is essential to understand and implement sustainable principles.

Acting in a sustainable way, where decisions are based on fairness and understanding, can develop the world into a place that future generations will thank us for.

Follow the links on this page for frequently asked questions about sustainability and to find out more about sustainability in the UK, globally and what we are doing in Shropshire.