Sustainable development work continues

A new report into sustainable development in the English regions has been launched, one year after the launch of the “Securing the Future” strategy. The document, titled “Securing the Regions’ Futures”, outlines the ways in which sustainable development will be delivered around the country, and sets out twenty recommendations for best practice.

Key elements in the report include; creating a ‘strengthened’ role for regional sustainable development roundtables as ‘champion bodies’; using sustainable development principles in high-level regional strategies, and working with Regional Development Agencies to help them deliver sustainable development alongside economic productivity.

"This report shows how we have responded to the 16 recommendations made by the Sustainable Development Commission in the review they carried out last year,” said Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Elliot Morley. “It also shows how we will continue to work with regional bodies across the nine English regions to make sustainable development a reality."

Minister for Industry and the Regions, Alun Michael, added; “The report shows how we are working with the RDAs to ensure that the Regional Economic Strategies they draw up every three years are underpinned by strong sustainable development principles. Frameworks we have put in place for the RDAs will enable us to gain a clear view of how each RDA has helped to deliver sustainable development in its region."