The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Sustainable Development
Statutory Guidance to SEPA made under Section 31 of the Environment Act 1995
December 2004
Paper 2004/21
This document is also available in pdf format (97k)
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs Bruntland Commission definition of sustainable development Sustainable development is about holistic thinking and promoting integration rather than about making trade-offs. It will not be achieved simply by weighing competing demands in the balance. It is not a matter of economic development versus environment but of development based on proper management of environmental resources and consideration of full lifecycle impacts and costs. We are committed to development but it must be development which both protects our environment and enhances our quality of life. Meeting the Needs i (paragraph 14) |
Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Policy Framework for Sustainable Development
2.1 Purpose of the guidance
2.2 Scottish Executive Policy on Sustainable Development
2.3 Overview of SEPA's role
2.4 Other statutory drivers
3. Mainstreaming Sustainable Development into SEPA's business
3.1 Protecting and improving the environment
3.2 Economic development
3.3 Social and environmental justice
4. Measuring Progress
5. Summary of Actions