The past 20 years have seen a growing realisation that we are living beyond our means. With a negative negative effect our consumption patterns are having on the environment and the climate. Our way of life is placing an increasing burden on the planet which cannot be sustained.

The increasing amount of stress we put on resources; such as water, land and air cannot go on for ever. Especially as the world's population continues to increase.

A widely-used and accepted international definition of sustainable development is: 'development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' - Globally we are not even meeting the needs of the present let alone considering the needs of future generations.

Unless we start to make real progress toward reconciling these issues, we all, wherever we live, face a future that is less certain and less secure than we in the UK have enjoyed over the past fifty years. We need to make a positive move towards more sustainable development both because it is the right thing to do - and because it is in our own long-term best interests. It offers the best hope for securing the future.

Use the links and web pages in this section to help implement changes in your everyday lifestyle into help securing a better future.

LATEST NEWS

Council aims to reduce travel and parking

Braintree District Council aims to show leadership in carbon reduction and sustainability.  Reducing energy use, pollution and costs are at the heart of a new policy proposal considered by the Cabinet on 29th October.

The proposal looks at the council’s own transport and staff travel needs and identifies several opportunities to reduce vehicle use and cost, while encouraging more active lifestyles.
Reduction of work related journeys and control of mileage allowances through use of pool cars and cycles can be encouraged by reduction in car parking provision, while at the same time training people for more economical driving.  Car sharing will be encouraged, along with better journey planning.

Surveys of journeys to work conducted earlier this year, reveal that a 4 out of ten staff live within two to four miles of Causeway House, yet many drive to work because they know they may need to travel during the day.

Cllr Robert Mitchell is deputy cabinet member for environment, and says:  “The Council aims to encourage less reliance on cars and to make a real contribution to carbon reduction by setting an example for itself and other local organisations.  This is a challenge which we cannot ignore.”