Sustainable development and climate change
Sustainable Development
Skip to pages in this document
Sustainable development is a simple concept about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, both now and for generations to come. It aims to achieve the social and economic aspirations of the present, whilst protecting and enhancing the environment for future generations.
| Definition: The most commonly accepted definition of Sustainable Development comes from the UN’s World Commission on Environment and Development, which defines it as, 'Development which meets the needs of the current generation, without undermining the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' (Bruntland Commission, 1987). |
In common with many other areas, the resident’s of East Lothian are facing challenges to the way in which they currently live their lives and interact with the environment. These include:
- Over dependence on depleting finite resources;
- The impacts of climate change; and
- Declining biodiversity.
The Council recognises its responsibility to show leadership in addressing these challenges and sustainability has been identified as a key cross-cutting priority for the Council and its community planning partners in Our Plan for the Future of East Lothian: the Single Outcome Agreement (SOA 2011).
To find out more about the work the Council is doing in this area please click on the links below.