Our way of life is putting increasing stress on resources and ecological systems such as water, land and air. The way that we use finite resources such as oil, gas and metals means that we are radically altering the environment. Renewable resources such as timber, water or fish are being consumed beyond the capacity for their replenishment.
We are also affecting the global environment through our activities. Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, global greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities have grown since pre-industrial times and most of the observed increase in global temperatures is very likely due to these emissions.
No community wants to be faced with problems which lead to a poor quality of life, affecting the health and wellbeing of its citizens now and in the future.
Sustainability simply means ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. This means that we need to achieve:
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Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone
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Effective protection of the environment
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Prudent use of natural resources
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Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.
St Edmundsbury Borough Council has been working to embed these principles into its policies and practices. Our commitment is set out in our Sustainability Policy adopted in 2007.
