Sustainability

Sustainability is defined as ‘healthy and socially just human societies living on a healthy planet for many generations into the future’. Sustainability means integrated, long term thinking - doing things that have social, economic and environmental benefits, rather than trading progress in one area for problems in another. Crucially it is about taking positive action now to turn around 'unsustainable' trends - whether it's rising greenhouse gas emissions, the depletion of natural resources, the loss of local shops/services or childhood obesity.

 The UK government produced ‘Securing the Future’ Sustainable Development Strategy in 2005. It sets out the main priorities and plan for acheiveing sustainable development across the UK, including highlighting the five principles of Sustainable Development. The Department of Health produced Taking the Long Term View, its Sustainable Development Strategy, in October 2008, which confirms its commitment to sustainability. This was followed in 2009 with an Action Plan.

In sustainability...

Climate Change

Climate Change is the greatest threat facing the modern world. This section will look at impacts on human health and the built environment as well as providing additional background information on the science of climate change.

Communities

This section highlights the need to develop and support sustainable communities - what the NHS can do to help communities to become more sustainable.

Natural Spaces

Green (and blue!) spaces are vital to health and well being - they play a key role but on the NHS estate and out in the wider community. This section will highlight the benefits of green and natural spaces on health and well being.

Principles & Checklist

One this page you will find the link SustNav -  which contains a list of the ten core sustainability principles, and a checklist to help you embed them into all your work.