Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development and Omagh District Council
Click here for an ABC guide to Sustainability
From Global to Local
World view
 | Sustainable development is not a new concept. Over the last century man has gradually recognised the need for the reconciliation of the environment with society and the economy. However, it was not until the 1980’s that these views were rationalised and articulated at a global level. |
1987 saw the World Commission on Environment and Development publish a definition for sustainable development which has become widely accepted over the years, “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. (Our Common future – the Brundtland Report 1987)
Put simply it means balancing the needs of looking after our environment, society and the economy for now and for our children. At present we are a very wasteful society, quickly using up our natural resources, generating vast quantities of waste and pollution and adding to climate change by our over reliance on fossil fuels. The current model of development is, quite simply unsustainable, based as it is on the erosion of our natural resources and ecosystems and the challenge faced by government, business and society as a whole is to ensure prosperity without such destruction.
RIO
1992 saw the ‘Earth Summit’ held in Rio de Janeiro where Governments around the world committed to the sustainability concept. 182 nations agreed the best starting point for Sustainable Development was at a local level. Through the Agenda 21 programme, many district councils implemented changes in social, environmental and economic practices that were geared towards the advancement of sustainability.
KYOTO
| A key turning point followed at Kyoto, Japan in 1997 where over 160 nations met to discuss climate change and signed up to the Kyoto protocol for limiting greenhouse gas emissions. |  |
EUROPEAN STRATEGY
At a European level the European Union Sustainable Development Strategy was published in 2001 with six key objectives to address, namely: climate change, natural resource protection, sustainable transport, ageing population, public health and the global dimension of sustainable development.
UK STRATEGIES
At UK level, a number of sustainable development strategies have evolved since 1999 culminating in UK Framework “One Future – Different Paths” and the UK Government strategy ‘Securing the Future’, during 2005. A common purpose was agreed by the UK government and district administrations as the framework goal for sustainable development.
Five principles of sustainable development were outlined in the UK Framework document.
- Living within environmental limits
- Ensuring a strong healthy and just society
- achieving a sustainable economy
- Promoting good governance
- Using sound science responsibly.
The principles form the basis of national strategies and action plans.
In addition to the five agreed principles in the UK strategy, the Northern Ireland Sustainable Development strategy has a sixth principle ‘to promote opportunity and innovation.’
NORTHERN IRELAND STRATEGY
In 2006 the first Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland, “First Steps towards Sustainability” was published. This established a framework and focus for tackling the challenges for Northern Ireland and sent a strong message to public bodies about the need to encourage sustainable development in order to tackle the six priority areas and to make the strategy’s objectives a reality.
The primary focus of the strategy is central government departments, however for many of the actions and targets set out in the document, district councils and other stakeholders have a vital role to play.
The six priority areas for action are:
- Sustainable consumption and production
- Natural resource protection and environmental enhancement
- Sustainable communities
- Climate change and energy
- Learning and communication for sustainable development
- Governance and sustainable development
NORTHERN IRELANDSTRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
The first Sustainable Development Strategy implementation plan for Northern Ireland, “A positive step”, an interim document was published in November 2006 and will be replaced with a new strategy in 2010. The primary focus of the Northern Ireland strategy and the first implementation plan is towards the actions of Central government however these targets cannot be achieved without commitment and actions at a local district council level.
LOCAL ACTION - OMAGH DISTRICT COUNCIL - STATUORY DUTY The beginning of April 2007 saw the introduction of an important new Sustainable Development Statutory Duty. District Councils were given a statutory duty to act in a way that would contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in Northern Ireland. |  |
| The Challenge for Omagh District Council | |
| Omagh District Council is no stranger to the sustainable development concept. The Council has been actively working towards the principles of sustainable development for many years albeit under different guises. The Council sees the new duty as an opportunity to expand and develop an existing role while improving this service to rate payers and others. Focusing on the NI Strategy and the new duty as a framework will allow Omagh District Council to provide leadership to the community, increase the efficiency of operations and improve quality of life of those who live and work in the district. |  |
If you would like any further information regarding Sustainable Development within Omagh District Council please contact Dr. Ian Leitch, Environmental Health Department, Lisnamallard House, Old Mountfield Road, Omagh. BT79 7EG
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