On the move Review 2005 - 2006

Plus… Glass full or empty? Jonathon Porritt gives his verdict Personal insights: 12 of our Commissioners tell their story More radical: your thoughts on our work Top targets for government action Contents

Page 01 UK tomorrow Contact us You can contact the Sustainable 02 Government action Development Commission at: London (main office): 020 7238 4999 The top ten targets [email protected] sd-commission.org.uk 03 Half full, or half empty Edinburgh: 0131 244 0140 [email protected] 06 How we will live sd-commission.org.uk/scotland Belfast: 02890 257346 10 How we will feel [email protected] Cardiff: 029 2082 6382 14 How we will learn [email protected] 17 How we will travel sd-commission.org.uk/wales Order more copies of 20 How we will prosper ‘On the move’ free online 24 What we will say 27 Conclusion Building tomorrow, today 28 Viewpoints from Wales, N.Ireland and Scotland 31 Who we are

Stock take: “Making energy sustainable is likely to be the critical determinant of just how serious the Government is about sustainable development” Jonathon Porritt, page 03. Old homes for new: Most buildings leak like sieves, providing huge potential to reduce – relatively painlessly – our carbon quotient in How we will live, page 06. Good corporate citizenship: “Few NHS managers are thinking this way yet” Anna Coote on hospital spending, page 13. National wellbeing: The Chancellor and the green briefcase in How we will prosper, page 20. Meaningful debates: “We need to create an active engagement on politically difficult choices, so they are openly faced” Lindsey Colbourne, page 26. The way ahead – your views: Julian Rush, Channel 4 News, challenges the Commission to be ‘less timid’ page 27. In Northern Ireland: “I would describe myself as a pioneer” John Gilliland page 29.

www.sd-commission.org.uk UK tomorrow

What kind of society do we If we follow a business as usual path, we every scenario we present is achievable. The want to live, work and raise will create a future of widening inequality, technologies already exist and political will soaring material demands and runaway in the UK nations is strengthening – as our our children in? It’s a question fossil fuel consumption. The UK will fail to chairman Jonathon Porritt acknowledges in every generation asks itself. meet its targets on climate change, possibly his Preface. The biggest challenge will be to But rarely have the choices the biggest threat facing the world today. bring the majority of citizens on board, so that In this annual publication, the SDC puts forward politicians and civil servants feel empowered been as stark, or the stakes an alternative vision, the path to sustainability. to follow through on their commitments. as high as they are today. We present snapshots of a not too distant future The SDC’s Commissioners have a critical role in which the UK’s governments, consumers and to play in meeting this challenge. They provide businesses have taken significant steps to make our public face, act as our ambassadors to our society sustainable. Schools are carbon government, and drive our work and vision. neutral while hybrid cars are common. Energy In interviews spread throughout this publication, use from buildings has been halved, slashing 12 of them describe how their varied utility bills for householders and businesses. backgrounds inform their passion for sustainable A citizens’ Council for the Future provides development and describe their aspirations a national, televised platform for the public’s for the Commission in the critical months and views on countering climate change. years ahead. In each chapter, we work backwards from this hopeful future, examining how to get from here to there, analysing progress (or lack of it) and exploring the biggest barriers to its realisation. While we do not underestimate the challenges ahead, the SDC believes that

www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 01 Government action The top ten targets

Massive home energy cuts 1 Heating and electricity use in homes falls by 60% by 2050 through greater efficiency Carbon neutral public sector 2 National and local government, hospitals, schools, prisons and the rest of the public sector make zero contributions to climate change Hospitals perform to sustainability standards 3 NHS performance is measured by the improving health and fitness of local communities by 2010 Schools showcase sustainable practice 4 Schools, universities and colleges are beacons of sustainable development teaching, practice and community engagement by 2020 Car efficiency is financially rewarded 5 Vehicle tax discs are radically re-banded to shift consumer demand towards energy efficient cars by 2009 Government is held to account on wellbeing 6 National wellbeing is measured by the Government, alongside GDP by 2008 Local authorities audited for sustainable practices 7 By 2010, local authorities across the UK are audited for their sustainable development performance, and tax payers money is awarded accordingly A public platform for all citizens 8 Long term political problems, and potential solutions, are informed by a UK-wide citizens’ council Carbon trading for individuals 9 A full scale pilot and risk assessment on extending carbon emissions trading to individuals and small businesses is put in place before 2010 The public sector buys only food produced sustainably 10 By 2008, UK nations lead the world in the proportion of fresh, locally produced, greener food that is purchased for the public sector

02 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk Half full, or half empty

Our Chairman, Jonathon Porritt, comments on 2005, a year of contradictions

What a perplexing series Both Framework and Strategy are serious, representing an encouragingly ambitious of contrasts, earlier in the attempt by UK governments to get the year, as we moved from practice of sustainable development the publication of the new embedded in every aspect of the public sector. Strong on implementation, and Sustainable Development mercifully sparing in their use of over-hyped Shared Framework and UK rhetoric, the documents are absolutely clear about the priorities for the next five years, Strategy in March, to the with the UK Strategy establishing a new role General Election in May, to the for the Sustainable Development Commission G8 Gleneagles Summit in July. itself – to which I shall return later. The General Election campaign went to the other extreme, totally ignoring the environment, paying only lip-service to mega-issues like climate change, and making few if any connections between the economy, social justice, quality of life and individual wellbeing – the heartland of sustainable development. Devotees of conspiracy theories might almost conclude that the major parties conspired to keep this whole agenda out of sight and mind – notwithstanding very high levels of public interest and concern. And then the pendulum swung back again at the Gleneagles Summit – the first G8 Summit to take issues like international poverty, debt relief, fairer trade and climate change as seriously as they now need to be taken. In the face of massively irresponsible and self-serving obstinacy from the Bush Administration, little was achieved on climate change apart from a new process to at least keep United States talking. But on both debt and aid, there were real breakthroughs – just so long as these agreements can be made to stick.

www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 03 Lack of Half full and connections half empty

Bizarrely, there were few connections And that’s the psychological rub as we made between the two agendas. see it today. When it comes to international Although the report of the Commission leadership and diplomacy, the Westminster for Africa acknowledged the devastating administration is very much a “glass half full” impact that climate change might have in government; when it comes to designing, exacerbating already chronic environmental enacting and implementing the policies to get and social pressures, it drew few conclusions the job done, the glass invariably seems to be from that analysis and made even fewer half empty. There simply aren’t enough people recommendations. For instance, the role in DTI and ODPM – let alone the Treasury – who that renewable energy can play in alleviating are fired up about the opportunities entailed poverty and securing sustainable livelihoods in a sustainable energy strategy: opportunities throughout rural Africa is still treated as a for UK Plc in terms of increased competitiveness “nice-to-have” add-on rather than the foundation and future export earnings; opportunities for of prosperity for the entire continent. To make “the fuel poor” in terms of eliminating the poverty history, make energy sustainable. scourge of fuel poverty a great deal earlier Right now, making energy sustainable is likely than the sadly unambitious date of 2016; to be the critical determinant of just how opportunities for individual home owners in serious the Government is about sustainable terms of providing improved energy services development. The UK is lagging badly on its at a lower cost.

target of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% on It is of course the responsibility of policy makers 1990 levels by 2010, and the Review of the to be cautious, to rely on robust scientific Climate Change Programme (due this winter) evidence, to ensure that proper cost or benefit will be pretty much make or break as far as analysis underpins every recommendation. But getting back on track is concerned. The barriers there’s something so downbeat and crabbily modest about the way we’re addressing the climate change challenge as to crush creativity and to deny both to business and individual citizens the unambiguous clarity and Right now, making energy purposefulness that is needed to transform “sustainable is likely to be energy markets. the critical determinant And it’s not just advisers like ourselves saying that: business leaders are increasingly liberating of just how serious the themselves from the negative scare-mongering Government is about of the CBI and urging the Government to frame sustainable development. long-term markets in such a way that a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 becomes a commercially advantageous reality rather than a bit of aspirational grandstanding. to achieving that are substantial, but nothing That requires a level of cross-UK and cross- like as substantial as some in government” make departmental co-ordination which has until out. Indeed, both our report on “Wind Power now remained extremely elusive. Sometimes in the UK” earlier in the year, and the work the political will just isn’t there; sometimes we’re currently engaged in with ODPM on the tools aren’t. One of the Commission’s most improving England’s existing housing stock, have interesting areas of engagement this year has demonstrated the huge opportunities available been with the Department of Health and the to policy makers if they get serious and stay Welsh Assembly Government, developing a serious about engineering a transformation self-assessment model for the National Health in the way we both generate and use energy. Service in England and Wales intent on making “good corporate citizenship” (a more or less acceptable synonym for sustainable development) a key part of what they’re delivering on behalf of users of health services and tax payers. Few organisations set out explicitly to behave unsustainably as a part of their commitment to quality, excellence or value for money – it’s just that they don’t feel confident about delivering on all of these things in more sustainable ways. Hence the overwhelming need to build capacity inside every Whitehall department, within the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Administration, and in every single public sector body.

04 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk The Government has just started to wake up Waking up to to this challenge, and has set aside a chunk of money to start “raising awareness about climate the challenge change”. It’s been a pretty tortured process so far, and there’s clearly a very long way to go As part of the new Strategy, the before any part of government (in Whitehall or Sustainable Development Commission the Devolved Administrations) can claim to have has been charged with the task of acting developed a consistent, long-term strategy for as “watchdog” on overall progress enabling people to become committed agents on sustainable development. of change rather than marginalised bystanders. That’s a huge task, and we are still working On the whole, however, the Commission is out the details of exactly how this will be done feeling more optimistic about things now and resourced. There are many bodies already than we did this time last year. The UK Shared commenting on government performance on Framework is by no means the last word environmental issues – including the House of on making sustainable development a reality Commons Environmental Audit Committee, the across the whole of the UK, but it’s a huge

National Audit Office, the Audit Commission, and improvement on anything we’ve had before. viewpoint so on; our first task has been to work out how And with the right kind of political will and all these pieces of the overall “accountability leadership, we could at last see sustainable jigsaw” fit together, and what the SDC’s role development entering into the mainstream Resilient and should be in that context. of UK politics. determined Jonathon Porritt The UK Shared Framework As the public face of the failed efforts to win elections Sustainable Development as an Ecology Party candidate – “is by no means the Commission, Jonathon Porritt which still serves him well today. last word on making is often described as “Britain’s “You have got to be unusually foremost environmentalist”. resilient and determined to be sustainable development But this is not quite how the in this field; progress can be a reality across the whole former English and drama pretty slow.” teacher at a London That said, he is upbeat about the of the UK, but it’s a huge comprehensive sees himself. Commission’s progress in its first improvement on anything “I don’t call myself “an five years and about its future. environmentalist”. Though it’s “We get good feedback that the we’ve had before. a bit of a mouthful, “sustainable Commission is doing its job in development activist” is what terms of helping government I prefer! And that’s because my develop policymaking, and we passion for the natural world are currently achieving that with is just one part of a broader very limited resources. But what One area we’ll certainly be monitoring commitment to a better world we have not been able to do so far closely is the effectiveness” of government – in terms of social justice, is take on a broader watchdog engagement with the general public. The sustainable communities and role, combining improved public kind of transformation in consumer behaviour so on. And I came to all that outreach with a more critical eye and lifestyle that is now required cannot be through teaching – developing on government.” engineered by government bodies without these ideas with and through That may soon change, however, the willing (enthusiastic, even) participation young people.” as the SDC adjusts to its new of people – acting both as consumers and as watchdog role, mandated citizens. And on that particular score, the glass “My passion for by the new UK Sustainable really is half empty. Survey after survey reveals Development Strategy, Securing the natural world the Future. substantial majorities of people feeling either confused or disempowered – and those are the is just one part “We are getting more teeth as an ones who care enough about this stuff to know organisation at a really important of a broader time. We have a third Labour that they’re confused or disempowered! commitment to Government term of office and the opportunity to really deliver a better world – sustainable development on in terms of social the ground, across the UK, by justice, sustainable implementing the commitments “Jonathon Porritt said... that in the Shared Framework and communities and in Securing the Future”. Keen the role of the Commission is to to avoid any confusion here, serve on the boundary between so on.” he adds: “These are not the radicalism and pragmatism. Commission’s strategies – we In his work today, especially for would have produced something But I think it’s very important... the Commission, Jonathon finds more radical! – but they provide that the Commission always many parallels with his former an ambitious set of commitments asks itself, is it going forward career. “Achieving sustainable and a good plan of action. development is really an If we meet these targets and enough here, or has it allowed enormous capacity-building objectives within the next five its expectation of a conservative or teaching exercise, aimed years, it will make a major response from others to make the at politicians and the public. difference to sustainable living As Commissioners, our job is in the UK.” Commission itself conservative?” to make visible what’s invisible Jonathon Porritt is Director – to relate issues like climate Craig Bennett, Head of the of Forum for the Future and change to people’s everyday Corporate Accountability Campaign, has chaired the Sustainable lives and lifestyles.” Friends of the Earth Development Commission Resilience is another useful since it was established in 2000. quality he gained from teaching

opinion teenagers – not to mention seven www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 05 How we will live

If the UK achieves a successful transition to These principles form the basis for all new settlements in the South East, which is future sustainable development policy. diverting resources away from urban areas a sustainable society, what will it look like? They will also guide our efforts to counter blighted by poverty, ill-health and poor services. How will our homes and offices, travel habits, climate change and meet the Government’s Encouragingly, One Future – Different Paths energy use and household purchases differ carbon emissions reduction targets for recognises the deficiencies of current policies 2010 and 2050. Yet the 64 million dollar from today? and identifies creating sustainable communities question remains. How will these fine (including giving citizens more say over In the UK Shared Framework for Sustainable words translate into practical measures local decisions) as one of four priority areas which change the wasteful, unsustainable for immediate action. So how do we make Development One Future – Different Paths, ways in which we live, work, travel and this happen? power our society today? the governments in London, Cardiff and While we certainly don’t have all the answers, Edinburgh and the Belfast Administration Business as usual is not an option. The the SDC has made recommendations which Government has explicitly acknowledged that we believe could close the gap significantly present a common vision for 2020, based without measures to make our communities, between today’s reality and the 2020 vision. on five guiding principles. services and industries more resource-efficient, Some would require significant behaviour the UK will overshoot its 2010 CO2 reduction changes by consumers or business; but target by around ten million tonnes of carbon a there would also be many positive payoffs. year. Efforts to develop sustainable communities are also being hamstrung by the emphasis on

Living within Ensuring a strong, environmental limits healthy and just society

Respecting the limits of the planet's Meeting the diverse needs of all people environment, resources and biodiversity – to in existing and future communities, improve our environment and ensure that the promoting personal wellbeing, social natural resources needed for life are unimpaired cohesion and inclusion, and creating equal and remain so for future generations. opportunity for all.

Achieving a Promoting good Using sound science Sustainable economy governance responsibility Building a strong, stable and Actively promoting effective, Ensuring policy is developed sustainable economy which participative systems of and implemented on the basis of provides prosperity and governance in all levels of strong scientific evidence, whilst opportunities for all, and in which society – engaging people’s taking into account scientific environmental and social costs creativity, energy, and diversity. uncertainty (through the fall on those who impose them precautionary principle) as well (polluter pays), and efficient as public attitudes and values. resource use is incentivised.

06 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk More action is also required to propel a UK-wide Old Homes home energy revolution. The Energy Efficiency Commitment, which requires energy suppliers for New to offer householders incentives for energy reduction measures such as loft insulation, has Some of our solutions are strikingly simple. been a success and the Commission is urging Buildings and their occupants generate half its expansion. However, the programme needs of all energy demand in the UK. Yet most additional incentives to boost householder take buildings leak like sieves, providing huge potential up, cut bills and ameliorate fuel poverty. to reduce – relatively painlessly – our national In our submission to the UK’s Climate Change carbon quotient. While zero emission buildings Programme Review, we also signalled our support, are not going to be achieved quickly, simple longer term, for the introduction of personal improvements such as deeper loft insulation, carbon credits, or Domestic Tradable Quotas insulating walls, double glazing, efficient heating (DTQs). We believe this will prove the most systems and controls would significantly increase equitable market-based mechanism for giving energy efficiency in homes, public buildings and individuals personal control and responsibility business premises. over allotted emissions quotas if and when such viewpoint To encourage such activity nationwide and on the measures become necessary to meet the UK’s required scale, the SDC believes the Government climate change targets. In the meantime, we must do two things: set a target to more than would like to see pilot schemes developed and Urgent necessity halve energy use in all existing buildings and shift funded by government. its major policy emphasis from new communities not choice in England to investing in improving the homes and buildings in existing cities and towns. Anne Power (See also Anne Power opposite). Low carbon Anne’s 40-year crusade to “The reasons such obvious Our submission to the Government’s 2005 Climate economy improve life for the urban poor actions as building that summer Change Programme Review (CCPR) suggests began with a 1966 visit to the play area are not taken is kick-starting this process by equalising VAT The required transition to a low carbon Chicago neighbourhood where because they are not part of a on housing refurbishment and new build, and economy will change our landscapes – Martin Luther King launched his formal bureaucratic approach. End Slums campaign. “I was They also require a lot of local requiring housing growth areas to be carbon putting solar panels on roofs, wind farms neutral through a combination of efficient new visiting a student friend and involvement and many small- on hillsides and energy crops in fields – I had never seen poverty and scale organisational efforts,” she build and retrofitting existing homes in the and alter our lifestyles – encouraging more region. This would level the playing field currently says. “Government traditionally use of public transport, hybrid cars and works in a big-brother way on a skewed in favour of VAT-free new build. (Two “I watched 45 backyard micro-generation electricity and large scale, and I’m afraid some million new homes are planned in England by heating systems. It will also bring major children from six of these lessons, although learnt, 2016, while 730,000 houses stand empty). benefits: reduced running costs for homes and houses playing are not applied.” businesses, an end to fuel poverty, cleaner in a tiny opening Sustainability lessons, too, are far local environments and improved public health. from being learned in her view. In our CCPR submission, the SDC laid out a range on to the main “By far the biggest contribution to climate change, environmental of practical pathways and options to meet the road. Behind our More action is also impact and social problems, is “required to propel a UK’s projected 10M tonnes of carbon shortfall homes was an the way we run and organise our by 2010, including: empty ten acre cities.” Major barriers to urban UK-wide home energy > A major expansion of the EU Emissions sustainability, she says, include efficiency revolution. Trading Scheme from 2008 demolition site.” high subsidies to build outside cities, VAT charges on inner > Development of carbon capture at degradation like it,” she recalls. city renovations and “most coal-fired plants and the capture and “Living conditions in Tanzania, importantly, the assumption that extensive use of methane emissions where I had been previously, we can continue to consume seemed vastly superior.” To achieve carbon neutrality for planned growth from coal mines large amounts of energy and She joined King’s campaign produce large amounts of waste areas such as the Thames Gateway,” the SDC is > Incentive-driven development of highly and worked in Chicago and in to push our housing and car proposing innovation-led partnerships between energy efficient Combined Heat and New York on housing and urban ownership standards ever higher.” developers, energy suppliers, the energy efficiency Power systems to power both industry policy, before returning to the New build housing, she points industry, local authorities and community groups. and homes UK. Again, her surroundings out, escapes VAT altogether. New settlements would be built only if schemes > A new mandatory UK Emissions Trading influenced her work. “We lived Anne’s key objectives for the were in place to offset their projected emissions Scheme for medium-sized businesses on a terraced street in Holloway, Commission are to equalise with carbon savings from homes elsewhere in not in the EUETS North London, and I watched 45 VAT on existing and new homes, their region. Our main focus is on regenerating and children from six houses playing and persuade government building new homes within existing communities. > A commitment to a carbon neutral public in a tiny opening on to the main and developers to prioritise sector by 2020 road. Behind our homes was The SDC is evaluating the Government’s improving existing homes and > Supply chain improvements to help an empty ten acre demolition neighbourhoods over new build. Sustainable Communities Plan for England. site, so I asked the Council energy crops compete in fuel markets Such action, she emphasises, We will urge that all new developments are for permission to turn it into is a matter of urgent necessity designed with enough density to support low > Investment of revenue from the Non a summer playground and not choice. “Though the picture carbon lifestyles, sustainable transport and the they immediately agreed.” Fossil Fuel Obligation in a new Climate across the UK is variable, overall use of home-based or district scale renewable Change Challenge Fund to support local In the years since, Anne Power we are a crowded and densely energy and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) authority carbon-saving projects has applied such practical populated island with a lot of micro-generation. Modernising the 17 million lessons in rehabilitating run- > Radical measures to cut transport unnecessary sprawl and road poorly insulated existing homes is a major focus. down inner city estates across emissions, described in Chapter 3 congestion. We have no choice We are also working with Communities Scotland the country, working for both but to live within our limits, and on policies to mainstream sustainable regeneration Beyond 2010, achieving a low carbon society government and tenants’ figure out how to make it all north of the border, whilst in Wales, we are will be close to impossible without significant organisations. For the work better.” Commission, she applies her contributing advice to the Heads of the Valleys development of renewable energy sources. In Anne Power is Professor of expertise to developing practical 2005, the Commission launched well-publicised Social Policy at the London scheme, a major regeneration effort for the recommendations to government reports highlighting the practical potential of School of Economics and heads poorest area of the country. on making our cities more wind power across the UK and of wood fuel for the SDC’s work on housing liveable and sustainable. heat in Scotland. We will use the latter – which and communities.

www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 07 estimates that rural households using wood fuel could slash their heating and hot water bills while cutting emissions by 96% – to influence the Scottish Executive’s policies on forestry, energy and climate change. In Wales, the Commission contributed to the Assembly’s Energy Route Map consultation, urging Without measures to make renewables development as a centrepiece “our communities, services of a low carbon economy. We strongly support further development of the micro-power and industries more industry across the UK, so that roof top resource-efficient, the wind turbines, solar hot water heaters and UK will overshoot its 2010 photovoltaics become commonplace sights a few years from now. (See also Hugh Raven, CO2 reduction target by opposite; Bernie Bulkin, page 19). around 10 million tonnes Whether the Government will embrace all viewpoint of carbon a year. or any of the approaches we advocate will become clear when the new UK Climate Change Programme is published later in 2005. What is A bit of a clear already is that without strong action and firm leadership the targets simply won’t be met contradiction and the UK will lose its claim to lead the world ” on developing responses to counter climate Hugh Raven change and its potentially devastating impacts.

Hugh lives in the most sparsely “The SDC in Scotland has done populated area in the European work on sustainable regeneration Union south of the Arctic Circle. His and on how local government can Trendsetters family’s home in North Argyll is provide best value and practice three miles from the nearest village, to communities. We have recently & Cheerleaders on a 320 square mile peninsula produced a major report on which boasts a population of one how wood fuel can generate per square mile. renewable, affordable warmth, Delivering sustainable communities will also jobs and income in rural areas require both vision and strong leadership “Some people say it’s a bit of a which could have a tremendous from central and local governments across contradiction working on public impact in small communities,” policy issues and living in the the UK. Policies on regeneration, land use, says Hugh. “With our very limited back of beyond,”he says. “But transport planning, service provision and job resources, the Commission can’t in some ways it’s absolutely creation will all need to be connected to one shadow every policy the Scottish logical, because where better central purpose – delivering lifestyles governed Executive pursues. We need to to think about sustainability and by minimum energy use, strong local economies be clever about making targeted, human habitation issues than strategic interventions which and improved quality of life. surrounded by wilderness and could make a disproportionately natural resources?” Much of the day to day planning and large contribution to sustainable implementation will fall to local authorities, As in much of rural Scotland, practice in Scotland.” and the Commission wants to see their actions says Hugh, people in North Argyll and spending audited according to sustainability are highly attuned to the natural “Scotland has a criteria across the UK. Progress has already been elements around them and open made: in Scotland, the Commission is working to engaging in the sustainable great opportunity development debate. “If you’re to contribute with the Sustainable Scotland Network to develop thinking about the future in areas guidance on the existing Best Value or Sustainable like this, you have to look at what disproportionately Development duty, while in Wales, local sustains human settlement, and to the UK-wide government policies on sustainable development that means productive land and are under review by Audit Wales. In Northern seas and using natural resources renewable Ireland, the Commission is working with the to generate energy.” energy target.” Review of Public Administration to ensure that sustainable development is embedded “Where better Renewables is one key area to think about where the Scottish Executive must do better and the Commission Wood fuel heating sustainability and must continue to direct its – our advice human habitation energies, he says. The devolved Our report shows government has set challenging that wood-fuel issues than targets of producing 18% of the country’s electricity from heating could surrounded by renewable sources by 2010, radically cut climate wilderness and rising to 40% by 2020. “Scotland changing emissions. has a great opportunity to natural resources?” contribute disproportionately to This kind of thinking has the UK-wide renewable energy led the SDC’s two Scottish target through wind, wave and Your Commissioners, he and Maureen wood power. We need to keep Child, an Edinburgh city the pressure on the Executive thoughts? councillor, to focus their efforts as to how it is going to meet on targeted initiatives which can these targets.” Comment or order offer practical outcomes and Hugh Raven is a rural and food a copy of this and improvements for communities. policy expert and Soil Association other publications consultant. He is one of two online. Commissioners for Scotland. comment

08 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk at the heart of new plans for restructuring as usual approach of some government Carwyn Jones, Welsh local authorities. departments. Political resistance to curb rising Assembly Environment Minister, speaking at the At the regional level in England a bigger shake- road and air emissions acts against the urgent SDC Celtic Conference in up is needed to inject sustainable development need to control climate change, while the March 2005 in government policy and service delivery, massive push for new house building in the especially on planning, transport and health. South East lies uneasily with efforts to create A 2005 SDC review of decision-making and sustainable communities. delivery processes for sustainable development The 1999 Sustainable Development Strategy was at the regional level found that government largely unimplemented due to its lack of cross- sustainable development priorities are not yet governmental support. The SDC will be urging being seriously addressed. To put this right, we the Prime Minister to exert his authority to recommended creating independent, inclusive ensure a swift and coordinated effort across and influential partnership bodies to champion Whitehall to successfully implement its successor. progress in each region. We also urged that Welcome signs of deepening political regional Government Offices be charged with commitment are also emanating from Edinburgh, delivering specific sustainable development Cardiff and Belfast. The Scottish Executive will responsibilities and plans. soon publish a new sustainable development The role of national governments – as both strategy, while the Welsh Assembly Government Portobello High School trendsetters and cheerleaders – is most important is in the process of implementing its second of all and 2005 has brought encouraging signs Sustainable Development Action Plan. The of leadership. Northern Ireland Executive is also aiming to publish its first sustainable development strategy next year. (For interviews with Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland Commissioners, please see page 28). The new Sustainable Meanwhile, the Commission applauds the “Development Strategy Scottish Executive’s Greening Government Policy and its efforts to lead by example on commits the UK procurement. All the electricity used to power Government to lead the Executive’s buildings is now renewable, for the way on sustainable example, while of 162 government vehicles, 130 run on alternative fuels. In Wales, too, procurement among the encouraging efforts are under way to expand EU’s 25 nations by 2009. sustainable public purchasing via the new Value Wales initiative. In touch with The new Sustainable Development” Strategy commits the UK Government to lead the way the public on sustainable procurement among the EU’s 25 nations by 2009. This welcome move provides a major opportunity for the government to use Governmental leadership, however, will its £13bn in annual direct purchasing power to only get us so far in transforming society. engage business, transform markets and reduce As Tony Blair notes in the preface to Securing carbon emissions. the Future: “we will only succeed if we go with The Strategy also commits the Department for the grain of what individuals and businesses Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the want and channel their creativity to confront Department for International Development and the environmental challenges we face.” the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to offset The UK Government’s Strategy’s Community carbon dioxide emissions generated by official Action 2020 – Together We Can initiative, which air travel. This marks a good first step towards seeks to reinvigorate community initiatives on a carbon neutral government, whereby all recycling, waste management, transport, energy emissions from government buildings neighbourhood planning and other bread and and activities would be cancelled out by carbon butter sustainability issues, is a welcome step savings in other areas. The FCO, in particular, in this direction. So is the recently launched has shown strong leadership on sustainable Climate Change Communications Campaign development, publishing a robust departmental which will use upbeat messages and positive strategy in April 2005, just a month after the examples to stimulate new thinking and buying new UK Sustainable Development Strategy was habits among consumers across the UK. “The success or otherwise launched. We would like to see this lead and The Big Lottery Fund, which supports local initiatives of sustainable development sense of urgency replicated across Whitehall. by charities and voluntary groups as well as initiatives will depend to a Internationally, the Prime Minister courageously larger environmental, education and health significant degree on the extent used the G8 summit in Gleneagles to confirm regeneration projects, will play an important to which they can become part the UK’s intention to lead global efforts to role in linking national policy with local action combat climate change. Yet there is a striking on sustainability. The SDC is working with the of a debate in the workplace, gap between the Prime Minister’s vision of Fund to ensure it carries through its commitment particularly between employers sustainable development and the business to deliver sustainable development both in its own and unions.” practice and through its project appraisal process. Paul Noon, General Secretary, Prospect As we explore more fully in Chapter 6, tapping and co-chair, TUSDAC into the common sense and creativity of local communities offers new horizons both to further the sustainable development agenda and to re-connect citizens across the UK with

their governments. opinion www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 09 How we will feel

An NHS Wales manager celebrates her promotion after obesity rates show a sustained decline in her county. Upward trends in healthy eating habits and exercise have been directly linked to a public health campaign she devised, based on collaboration with GPs, community health workers, local councillors and the media. Her colleagues are happy too. Their budget will be safe for another year.

10 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk It’s 2010, and a key measure of advice and thinking. Choosing Health takes a for example, responded with plans to streamline performance for NHS organisations is markedly more holistic approach to public health deliveries and reduce packaging; set up a Patient improving community health. Reducing than past policy, emphasising the promotion of Information Resource Centre and Young Person’s the persistent rich-poor health gap healthy habits such as exercise and nutritious Council to improve communication; and establish between the UK’s richest and poorest areas school meals to prevent ill-health, and committing a central team to consolidate and coordinate has become a top priority. The careers of the NHS to improved employment practices good practice across the Trust. The final, web- GPs and health service managers largely including smoke-free premises. It also charges based assessment model will be launched in depend on demonstrating that they have NHS organisations to “make a significant January 2006. shifted resources from diagnosing and contribution to the health and sustainability Another key area where the NHS can make a treating patients to preventing physical of the communities they serve.” difference is in its massive capital building and and mental illness in the first place. infrastructure programme. By 2010, in England Hospitals and primary care centres now exert alone over £11 billion will have been invested enormous influence as ‘good corporate citizens’ A thousand in 100 new hospitals, and over £1 billion – using their power as employers, purchasers, in new primary care buildings. In Scotland, landholders, commissioners of new buildings, pounds every £2.1 billion has been earmarked for health and managers of energy, waste and transport to infrastructure between 2005 and 2008. In promote sustainable development. A sustainable second Wales, infrastructure investment is predicted NHS, modelled along these lines, is a key to rise to £309 million per annum from 2007. Sustainable Development Commission objective. The NHS’s reach is enormous. The largest UK This provides a huge, UK-wide opportunity, Already, pioneering health centres and NHS employer, it spends a thousand pounds every which the SDC hopes will not be wasted, to Trusts in Wales and England are moving in this second and its demand for food, goods and improve public health, benefit local communities direction, particularly by adopting good corporate services makes up to 10% of some UK regional and, in so doing, reduce demand for health citizenship as a key organising principle. Cardiff economies. Recognising the huge opportunities services (See also Anna Coote page 13). Healthy and Vale NHS Trust, for example, has introduced this presents, the White Paper unveiled plans Futures: Buildings and Sustainable Development, an award-winning environmental management for a partnership between the SDC and the the latest of our popular publications for NHS system which includes investment in energy Department of Health to develop good corporate managers, provides a checklist for a sustainable efficient technologies, an environmental citizenship in NHS organisations across England. NHS building and highlights the many knock-on procurement policy, waste reduction schemes Our Healthy Futures team has since developed benefits which result. A Welsh language version and promotion of cycling and public transport. a best practice assessment model for NHS chief is also in production. With the Welsh Assembly Government’s executives and managers, covering sustainable Despite these positive steps, however, the backing, the SDC is supporting NHS Wales’ procurement and resources, employment overall UK health picture remains bleak. Rich- efforts to promote sustainable development. practices, new buildings, waste management, poor health inequalities and the burden they In England, our vision moved a step closer to community engagement and transport. Five create on the NHS continue to grow alongside reality with the publication of the Public Health pilots with NHS Trusts around the country have rates of obesity, diabetes and other illnesses White Paper Choosing Health: Making Healthy produced encouraging results. The University related to unhealthy lifestyles. In 2003, residents Choices Easier, which embraced much of our Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in England

Choosing Health takes a markedly Barts and The London NHS Trust’s Private Finance “more holistic approach to public Initiative (PFI) development. health than past policy, emphasising See all the case studies on the SDC website at the promotion of healthy habits such www.sd-commission.org.uk as exercise and nutritious school meals to prevent ill-health. ”

“The one thing that usually binds different groups of people, different businesses, different governments together is wanting to create a better life for their children and their grandchildren. Is there a marketing opportunity here to promote sustainable development as the best way of improving future lives? Just as the idea of “thinking global, but acting local” is a good soundbite how about:“today's decisions for tomorrow's children?” Dr Simon Lenton, Consultant Paediatrician, Bath and North East Somerset NHS opinion

www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 11 Gwent Healthcare and Wales lived on average 7-8 years longer than NHS Trust (GHT): Benefits of NHS those in the poorest; the death rate among children Energy Management Pilot born into the poorest fifth of families was a Good Corporate startling 19% higher than the general population. Citizenship Such shocking disparities are neither acceptable nor sustainable. The SDC welcomes the emphasis on reducing health inequalities in the > 78% of Directors of Nursing in UK Government Public Health White Paper and England say hospital design affects we will continue to work closely with all UK staff recruitment governments to promote healthy, sustainable > Well-designed hospitals can shorten communities. In so doing we will emphasise patient stays and reduce painkiller use the urgent need for policymakers to join the > Hospitals accessible by public transport, dots between healthy bodies and minds and walking or cycling help poorer citizens wider social issues, including decent housing receive care; 1.4m people a year conditions, good schools, local job opportunities fail to seek medical help because and liveable neighbourhoods. By taking a holistic of transport problems approach to such problems, governments will deliver sustainable development, improve public At Grangemouth and > Accessible hospitals can recruit more Bo’ness, a Health Walk health and reduce inequalities. project and a GP Referral easily and fairly; two out of five Scheme have teamed up jobseekers say lack of transport to encourage patients to is a barrier to getting a job adopt physical exercise as > Energy used by the health sector in part of an holistic approach to recovery. England alone produces about 3.47m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year See all the case studies on the SDC website at > The NHS in Wales annually produces www.sd-commission.org.uk 20,744 tonnes of waste. The total cost of disposal of this waste is £3.84 million

By 2010, in England alone over £11 billion will have been invested in

A LIFT scheme to develop 100 new hospitals, and over £1 billion a new ‘one-stop shop’ health facility in South in new primary care buildings Manchester, which integrates health and social care with In Scotland, £2.1 billion has been education, employment and leisure facilities. earmarked for health infrastructure See all the case studies on the SDC website at between 2005 and 2008 www.sd-commission.org.uk In Wales, infrastructure investment is predicted to rise to £309 million per annum from 2007

Bronllys Hospital, Powys Healthy Futures Sources: is the first UK NHS hospital Attitudes Towards Hospitals, CABE/ICM August 2003. to generate electricity from #3 Buildings sunlight. A 60.62 kW and Sustainable Getting the Best Out of Future Capital Investment in Health (2004), The NHS Confederation; photovoltaic array reduces the and Improving the Quality of Care and Financial Performance through Design, The Pebble hospital’s need for fossil fuels. Development. Project June 2004. Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report for 2004 “On the State of Public Health”. Download Claiming the Health Dividend, Kings Fund, London 2002. free online Healthy Futures: Buildings and Sustainable Development, Sustainable Development Commission, 2005. 2005; Making the case: improving health through transport, Health Development Agency, 2005. Your NHS estate in Wales Estate Condition and Performance report 2003 – 2004 thoughts? Study by Department of Health’s Scientific Reference Group of Health Inequalities.

Publications, news and case studies from the Healthy Futures Team. comment

12 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk viewpoint On physical health and happiness Anna Coote

Anna’s career has led her in with eye-opening research many directions – as a journalist, quantifying “the huge difference an academic, and a health NHS corporate activities can make and social policy analyst at to improve public health.” For the Institute of Public Policy example the central goal for the Research and the King's Fund. major NHS building programmes Sustainable development, now underway, she says, should however, was not among them. be to deliver “sustainable and health-enhancing” new hospitals “A lot of what the and health care centres. Commission does “Do they provide a healing In England, the SDC is working with the Defra environment? How accessible The food ‘CZARS’ on rolling out its Public Sector Food Procurement involves innovation. are they? Is there natural, renewable heating and lighting? Initiative, launched in August 2003. In Wales, we We focus on new Is the timber used from support the Welsh Procurement Initiative, which One key area for improving health and policy areas and sustainable sources? Will the aims to embed sustainable purchasing policies tackling inequality is to encourage a food be fresh, nutritious and in the public sector. Already, four in ten such bring in new healthy, balanced diet, beginning with locally procured? How are local organisations use their sustainable procurement jobs being generated? This may the eating habits of children. constituencies.” self assessment tool, including seven NHS Trusts. all seem like common sense, To this end, the Commission has applauded the “I’ve always been a keen but very few NHS managers efforts of Scottish Food and Health Co-ordinator environmentalist in my personal are thinking this way yet.” Gillian Kynoch in Scotland and of celebrity chef life,” she says, “but when I was Another priority will be to try Jamie Oliver in England to raise the profile and asked to join the Commission and quantify the links between practice of healthy school meals. Ms Kynoch, While some NHS Trusts I had no background in physical and mental health and Scotland’s government-appointed “food czar”, environmental work, so it was happiness and well-being, both an opportunity to learn is helping implement a £63.5m three-year “and schools are leading and an interesting challenge.” initiative, Hungry for Success, to put healthy the way – shifting away “For many ingredients back into school food and take fat Her response has been to focus on connecting health issues government and sugar out. The Commission is now working from long distance cook- to the broader sustainable departments across with her to explore opportunities to supply chill food to locally- development agenda, Scottish schools with locally sourced fresh food. sourced fresh cooked disseminating the findings the UK – health We are also tracking new initiatives in England through recommendations to included – sustainable created in the wake of Jamie Oliver’s campaign, meals – they remain government and practical advice including the School Food Trust. oases in a desert of poor to NHS practitioners. “A lot of development has what the Commission does However, our main work in this area is on public been a low priority; nutrition. involves innovation. We focus sector food procurement. Food procurement on new policy areas and bring changing that amounts to £60 million a year in Wales and in new constituencies by making perception is an £1.8 billion a year in England. connections between the The key challenge is embedding sustainable different aspects of sustainable important part of food supply throughout the UK public sector. The potential rewards are well worth the effort. development and other policy what we do.” ” agendas including health, While some NHS Trusts and schools are leading If local and central government, hospitals, education and food,” she drawing on the Commission’s the way – shifting away from long distance cook- schools and prisons invested this income in explains. “For many government work in the field of sustainable chill food to locally-sourced fresh cooked meals fresh local produce the impacts would be far- reaching. Benefits would be felt not only in departments across the UK – consumption. “We want the – they remain oases in a desert of poor nutrition. health included – sustainable government and public to think public and patient health, but in local economies development has been a in a connected way about these and by agriculture, landscapes and biodiversity. low priority; changing that issues and we need to do the perception is an important same with our work programmes part of what we do.” within the SDC.” Looking ahead, Anna wants the Anna Coote is Head of Engaging SDC to bolster its arguments for Patients and the Public at the sustainable NHS design, building Healthcare Commission and leads and procurement policies, the SDC's health programme. www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 13 How we will learn

Portobello High School in Edinburgh has once again received an Eco School Green Flag. One of the first UK schools to address sustainability issues outside the classroom, it now boasts rooftop wind turbines, on-site recycling, a new gym built with energy efficiency savings and school meals prepared on site from fresh local produce.

14 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk It is 2020 and Portobello High, along The need to correct this is urgent. The SDC Portobello High School with the rest of the UK education sector, wants to see all UK schools equipping young is carbon neutral. Schools, colleges and people for an insecure, rapidly changing world universities are community showcases of and acting as catalysts to identify local solutions sustainable development, inspiring copycat to social and environmental problems. The path measures by businesses and households to to a secure future for all of us lies in active use renewable energy, minimise waste and global citizenship, community involvement, buy fair trade products. social inclusion, good corporate practice and lifelong learning – the foundations for all of Lower energy bills have freed up a lot more which can be laid at school. money to spend on textbooks, teachers and new equipment and some educational providers Sustainable Schools: The Benefits are even selling excess power back to the grid. Sustainable development is embedded across > Good building design, nutritious school the curriculum and bullying incidents and pupil meals and walking and cycling to school exclusions have declined dramatically. increase pupils’ focus and attentiveness > Hands-on learning results in better Back in 2005, Portobello High School and its motivated pupils 1450 pupils are well on the way to fulfilling this scenario. Enthusiastic staff and pupils have > Schools with motivated pupils have fewer developed their school grounds, introduced a problems with behaviour, attendance green transport plan, and are now focusing their and exclusions efforts on water conservation and collection. > Energy efficiency improvements free up The school boasts litter monitors, a junior school money to spend on books and teachers Environment Club called ‘Porty Planeteers’, > Projects involving the community foster paper and kitchen waste recycling schemes, good relations between schools, parents science lessons on the uses of solar kits and and other local stakeholders energy crops, a pupil-teacher environment > Children are prepared for a lifetime council to monitor school-wide progress, and of good living and working habits a newsletter and website. Scotland currently leads the way on sustainability In January 2005, the Commission began a education among the UK nations. Not only are two year collaboration with the Department 65% of Scottish schools registered as EU Eco- for Education and Skills (DfES). The aim is to schools, compared with about 15% UK-wide persuade Ministers to take a lead in embedding (4,500 Eco-schools among a total of 30,000.) sustainable development policy and practice But the Scottish Executive has embarked on a across schools, higher education and lifelong curriculum review which will embed Sustainable learning institutions. At present sustainable Development across the curriculum. development is simply not a mainstream concern In England, where most UK schoolchildren live, in either the Department’s policies or its delivery the key role education must play in forming networks in schools. However, the expiry of the positive habits for a lifetime of sustainable Department’s current Sustainable Development working and living is highlighted in the new Action Plan, in September 2005, provides an Sustainable Development Strategy. Yet, despite opportunity for the Commission to press for the Government’s commitments on paper to improvements in existing policies and targets. sustainable schools, there is simply not enough We will also work to ensure that the DfES puts follow through to make pioneers like Portobello sustainable development into practice among its High a common picture across the UK. own buildings and employee practices, leading schools, teachers and governors by example. The education sector is also letting a major opportunity slip by to embed sustainability principles and practice in the huge schools capital building programme now underway. To address this, the SDC has urged the government to redesign its Building Schools for the Future

“I was struck tonight by how many good ideas there are. They make a lot of sense and I think what’s interesting is why aren’t they happening? What are the barriers? Where’s the inertia coming from and how do we move forward?” Bronwen Jones, Head of Sustainable Development Unit, Defra opinion www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 15 refurbishment programme for England’s 3,500 secondary schools around sustainability (particularly energy efficiency) and to double its investment. While upfront building expenditure may increase, future savings in running costs would be much greater. Schools spend almost £400m a year on heating and lighting alone, and the least efficient use more than three times more energy, per pupil, than the most efficient. More can also be done to improve the DfES’s minimum environmental building work standards for schools. The SDC is arguing for updated guidance to require the installation of Combined Heat and Power systems and renewable technologies, low energy appliances and lighting, recycling and other waste minimisation measures, and water

viewpoint efficiency initiatives. The Prime Minister clearly shares our vision for schools, stating in September 2004: “Sustainable “We can be very development will not just be a subject in the classroom: it will be in its bricks and mortar and critical, we don’t the way the school uses and even generates its shy away from that” own power. Our students won’t just be told about Sustainable development will not just be a subject in the Becky Willis “classroom: it will be in its bricks and mortar and the way When she sits down with the complexities of government Ministers to discuss overcoming and other funding sources for the school uses and even generates its own power. the barriers to greening education sustainability projects. England’s education system, sustainable development, they will see and Government short-sightedness Becky comes armed not work within it: a living, learning place in which in failing to mainstream only with facts, figures and sustainability in schools leaves to explore what a sustainable lifestyle means.” reasoned arguments, but with Becky deeply frustrated. Not Experience shows that schools already following ” frontline experience. least because of the crucial this path, such as Portobello High, are reaping real As a governor of Goose Green role schools and colleges could benefits. According to Ofsted, school inspectorate Primary in southeast London, she play, not just in educating pupils has firsthand knowledge of both for England and Wales, in its 2003 report “Taking about sustainable lifestyles, but the first steps forward”, sustainability pioneers the opportunities and frustrations in influencing the thinking and were lowering costs, producing motivated and encountered by schools trying to habits of wider communities. make a difference. better-behaved pupils and achieving higher “There is now wide public academic results, improved staff morale and “If a school like acceptance in Britain, for stronger community relationships. example, that we’re going to ours wanted to have to take action on climate The conclusion to be drawn is simple. In education, install solar panels, change,” she says. “But people more so than in other areas of national life, there are not sure how to go about it is a clear and straightforward path to sustainability. for example, it in their own lives. One obvious We will hold the UK Government to the Prime would probably way of closing this gap is Minister’s vision. through making the education have to spend less sector a beacon of sustainability on teachers, which teaching and learning and of References: best practice, especially with (1) Leading into the Future: Building the Capacity of School Leaders is no choice at all.” such a big school building to Advance Sustainable Development, prepared by the New programme underway.” Economics Foundation on behalf of Cambridge Programme for “I live in a very diverse Industry, HTI and DfES; 2005; and Resource management in the neighbourhood and a lot of what Pressing home this message is education sector: key findings from a study. Wastewatch, 2005. the school is about is teaching what Becky Willis does on a day citizenship – getting children to day basis, both as a consultant to take part in their community and for the Commission, which The Scottish and society.We have a very she joined in 2004. “This is a Seabird Centre was dedicated staff, enthusiastic really interesting organisation to pupils and a headteacher who be part of because of our unique built with a strong sees clearly how environmental role as critical friend. We can work ‘ecological agenda’ measures could provide a great on the inside track with ministers and local community learning opportunity for the and officials and help them draw kids and save the school some up a road map for action.Yet support. Is it truly money. But the sums we can tap because we are not part of sustainable? into to implement sustainable government we can be very practice are tiny. If a school like critical when we need to be – ours wanted to install solar panels, and we don’t shy away from that.” for example, it would probably Your have to spend less on teachers, Becky Willis, a sustainability which is no choice at all.” consultant and Green Alliance thoughts? associate, is the Commission’s With her encouragement, Vice Chair for Whitehall. Comment or contribute Goose Green is taking some She currently leads on the your own story to simple, cheap energy efficiency Commission’s work on education. our 100+ case studies measures which will save on now online. heating bills. But the fulfilment of more ambitious ideas will have to wait until the school navigates comment

16 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk How we will travel It’s 2012, and Matthew Brown finally stops for petrol after driving 500 miles in his petrol-electric Toyota Prius, Britain’s fastest-selling car. His destination is a walking holiday in Northern Ireland, paid for in part by the big savings he made by switching from a big-engine four wheel drive petrol car to a hybrid. Thanks to the banded VED system which rewards energy-conscious motorists, his annual tax disc payment fell from £1800 a year to £300. He also considered buying a car powered by one of the new government-subsidised bio-fuels, whose pump price is 66% less than unleaded petrol.

www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 17 As he approaches Belfast, to see some Road transport already accounts for 24% of friends, Matthew lets his speed fall below UK carbon emissions and is expected to rise the 60mph motorway limit, so that he’ll a further 9% by 2010. Without radical solutions enter the city after rush hour, when the UK simply will not meet its greenhouse congestion charges peak. As in other cities, gas reduction target in 2010 or 2050. Nor will public outcry at such traffic reduction the public find relief from traffic congestion, measures has been mitigated, due to air pollution-related illnesses or – in the sustained public investment in rail, bus case of car-less households – inequitable and rapid light transit services and in cycle access to jobs, healthcare, supermarkets and lanes. Several of Matthew’s friends, who other services. don’t own cars, have benefited from these In our submission to the 2005 Climate Change measures, while others, fed up with Programme Review, the SDC called for an congestion charges and motorway tolls, ambitious 50% cut in CO2 emissions from UK have forsaken driving altogether for cheap road transport by 2025. To achieve this, we and efficient public transport. laid out concrete policy measures which would The SDC believes this could be a realistic save at least 3 million tonnes of carbon a year description of everyday UK travel in the near and bring about the kind of future scenario future. While the Department of Transport often envisaged above. presents reducing greenhouse gas emissions First, we urged the Governments to implement from the sector as ‘mission impossible’, we clear national traffic reduction strategies, believe the opposite is true. embracing congestion charging in towns and The technology needed to make the kind of cities, increased spending on good public shift in demand management and consumer transport, walking and cycling facilities and behaviour described above is already available. strong guidance to local authorities to prioritise The International Energy Agency, for example, behavioural change and promote non-driving has estimated that installing more efficient options in Local Transport Plans. components in new cars, hybridising 75% Second, we proposed a banded Vehicle Excise of light vehicles and using advanced biofuels Duty, reaching £1800 a year for the biggest, to provide 20% of road transport fuels could most fuel-hungry vehicles and falling by £300 cut worldwide fuel use by cars – and their a band, depending on fuel efficiency, down to greenhouse gas emissions – by 50% by £0 for vehicles with emissions below 100g/km 2050 (1). What is lacking is political will and of CO2 a kilometre. We believe rewarding public buy-in. drivers for energy-conscious behaviour would The SDC does not underestimate the difficulties dramatically increase consumer demand for involved in challenging the UK’s deeply hybrids and other highly fuel efficient vehicles. ingrained car culture, or in persuading Ministers Third, we urged government to assess the to push through policies likely to be unpopular extent to which adjusting speed limits on with voters. But sticking with our current all types of road could reduce emissions, travelling habits is simply not an option. and to boost the nascent bio-fuels industry by aiming for plant-based fuels to make up 5% of total supply. Zero Sum Game Estimated Annual Carbon Government Action savings National traffic reduction strategy based on encouraging behavioural change 0.5MtC Radical re-banding of Vehicle Excise Duty “The knowledge economy (£1800 to £0) 0.4-0.8MtC is the economy we are in and Biofuels = 5% of all road moving into.The UK is investing transport fuels 0.6-1MtC more in its ICT infrastructure than the Government is investing Enforced speed limits 1.5MtC in new roads. Surely we must be able to use that, thinking 3.0MtC - 3.8MtC ahead, in terms of addressing the transport problem?” Chris Tuppen, Head of Sustainable Development & Corporate Accountability, BT Source: (1) Climate Change Programme Review: the submission of the Sustainable Development Commission, May 2005. Note: There may be some double counting of savings

opinion as some measures will cross over in their impacts. 18 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk While these are radical solutions, the SDC Pressing for this and for an urgent national believes they are justified by the social and debate on airport expansion will provide a environmental costs of rising road transport major focus for the Commission in 2006. Another emissions. It may even be that, with hybrid priority will be researching emerging biofuels cars increasingly popular, and public concern technologies which we believe can play an surging over the impacts of climate change, important role in achieving low carbon travel. such measures may not prove as unpopular We will also be lobbying for more attention as the Government fears. An ICM poll in June to carbon and traffic reduction measures in 2005 reported that 75% of people questioned the pending Welsh Transport Bill. Traffic growth anticipated restrictions on private vehicle use to is higher in Wales than anywhere else in the counter climate change, and 51% agreed that UK, though rail and bus use also rose rapidly air travel rationing will be necessary in future. in 2004-5. In Northern Ireland, we will work The Government’s timidity over challenging to ensure that all transport projects resulting travelling habits was clearly reflected in the from the forthcoming ten year, £16 billion new UK Sustainable Development Strategy capital infrastructure programme, will be which we described in our official response as grounded firmly in sustainability criteria.

“particularly weak on comprehensive measures In Scotland, SDC will be represented on the viewpoint for tackling the negative impacts of transport”. National Transport Strategy Reference Group. This failure was particularly glaring in aviation – the fastest growing sources of UK carbon References: On nuclear, wind emissions – as in road transport. While Securing (1) A Different Energy Future, International Energy Agency power and transport the Future states that a 60% reduction in Governing Board and Management Committee, April 2005. UK CO2 emissions by 2050 “remains necessary Bernie Bulkin and achievable”, the Government is simultaneously planning several new airports Many of the SDC's practical recommendations to satisfy unsustainable future demand. Commissioners juggle a diverse to government. (On present trends, the DfT predicts annual portfolio of influential jobs and He explains his approach air passenger numbers will rise from 160m activities, but probably none as “taking the principles of more so than Bernie. in 1990 to 400m by 2020). sustainable development, which The SDC recognises the benefits of cheap air “I try to keep busy with a mix of I think are very sound, and using fares, but we believe current distorted price business activities, government them as a lens through which to structures encourage air travel at the expense advisory roles and educational address climate change, energy of rail, and fail to reflect the environmental We believe current and charitable work,” says BP’s and transport issues.” Given the costs of flight. It is absurd, for example, that “distorted price structures former chief scientist, who limited resources available, he “retired” in December 2003. “In has focused on “a few key areas” a London to Edinburgh airfare can be several encourage air travel at the all, I have ten or more different to press government, including times cheaper than a train ticket. roles; sometimes I work on four wind power development and The Commission applauds the Government’s expense of rail and fail to or five in a single day.” how to meet the UK’s climate commitment to use its 2005 EU presidency reflect the environmental change targets. to pave the way for aviation emissions to be costs of flight. It is absurd, “We decided to “We decided to focus on wind included in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme power because if we fail to make by 2012. But this alone will not do the job. for example, that a London focus on wind a breakthrough there it is hard We have called on the Government to lead the to Edinburgh airfare can power because to see how renewables can way in Europe by imposing a fuel emissions if we fail to make become a significant part of the charge on all internal UK air travel, to be be several times cheaper UK energy mix,” he says. “Our extended to international flights at a later date. than a train ticket. a breakthrough 2005 wind report was an all-time bestseller for the Commission. there it is hard to It featured on 11 radio news see how renewables broadcasts and five TV bulletins in one day.” Other priorities, in can become a the months ahead, will include ” significant part of a review of the SDC’s position on nuclear power, the potential the UK energy mix.” of bio-fuels to replace fossil fuels in transport and the politically Despite his many commitments, fraught problem of how to make Bernie says joining the aviation more sustainable. Climate change Sustainable Development “There is a view in government Commission was too good What should that transport issues are too an opportunity to pass by. Government be difficult and can’t be solved.Yet “Sustainable development is if we don’t make a step change doing? Read our full all about building for the future; in reducing transport emissions submission to the about integrating economic it is very hard to see how the development, social progress Climate Change UK can meet its short or long and environmental protection. Programme Review. term climate change goals. Our Developing options for building job is to show them how it is a sustainable society in five, perfectly possible, using existing ten or 15 years from now is a technologies, to get from here very exciting challenge and to there.” Your the Commission is a place from thoughts? which one can nudge government Bernie Bulkin is a Fellow of policy in the right direction, New Hall, Cambridge where he Join our series of which I found very attractive.” heads the New Hall Centre for the Environment, and is Chairman online debates on Bernie’s many years spent of AEA Technology. He leads the cutting edge issues. working on transport and energy SDC's work on climate change, issues for big business informs energy and transport. his perspective as he leads the Commission's efforts to formulate comment www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 19 How we will prosper

It’s Wellbeing Day 2007. The Chancellor rest of Whitehall, the Welsh Assembly emerges from Number 11 to greet the Government, Scottish Executive and Northern assembled press, holding up a newly- Ireland Administration. christened green briefcase. The objective is to develop authoritative, Inside are plans to put quality of life cross-departmental datasets that will inform improvements at the heart of UK policy, future policy-making and engagement with and to launch a National Wellbeing Indicator UK citizens and media as powerfully as GDP to be published annually alongside GDP. affects economic policy and the annual The groundbreaking agreement to develop Budget process today was in 2005. Wellbeing Accounts, based on measurements of non-monetary factors such as citizens’ reported mental health and happiness, has been negotiated between the Treasury, the

20 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk Of all our scenarios for a near-future UK, this is the closest to fulfilment. In their Radical 2005 UK Shared Framework on Sustainable Development, the governments of the refocus UK nations pledged to develop a Wellbeing Indicator, measuring quality of life other This shift was a major success for the than income. They also named sustainable Commission, which worked hard to secure consumption and production one of four the new wording, feeding input from priority areas for immediate UK-wide action. dozens of experts into the Government’s The SDC warmly welcomed this review process. We have long called for commitment to rethink how we define national priorities to be radically refocused progress and to explore how to organise on achieving only such economic growth as our economy on more sustainable lines. supports high employment, social progress The governments’ actions suggest they and living within environmental limits. have taken on board the evidence that How would such an economy work in practice? more income does not necessarily translate As the Government acknowledges in Securing into greater happiness, and have registered the Future, achieving sustainable consumption viewpoint public dissatisfaction with the costs of high and production will require us to achieve a lot pressure modern lifestyles. more with a lot less. Business innovations and We also applauded the new economic technologies which reduce environmental The materialistic guiding principle adopted in the Shared impacts and enable use of renewable resources Framework which replaces the old must be developed and commercialised on nature of our society emphasis on economic growth with a fast track basis. Government will need to Tim Jackson a commitment to “building a strong, play its part, using incentives and penalties stable and sustainable economy.” to encourage the speedy mainstreaming of In ‘Death of an Altruist’, his government,” says Tim. His next clean technologies and products. Consumers well-received play for BBC challenge, on the Commission’s will need prodding to ensure dominant markets radio, Tim’s materialistic central behalf, will be to help Whitehall for sustainable products (for example, as the character undergoes a profound to follow through the SDC has proposed, by paying between £1800 change of heart and gives away commitments made in Securing and £0 for a tax disc, depending on your all his possessions. the Future on influencing citizen and consumer behaviour. vehicle’s fuel efficiency). It's a theme – the materialistic The 2005 UK Sustainable Development Strategy nature of our society – which “There’s lots of hard work to makes an encouraging start on all these fronts. echoes in his work for the SDC, be done identifying ways that analysing what drives modern will enable government to give Environment Direct, the Government's consumerism and lobbying for people choices to live more planned, web-based advice service on product government policies to make sustainably, while still fulfilling sustainability for consumers and procurement consumption sustainable. their needs and aspirations. All professionals, will fill a major information gap the evidence shows that where when it is launched in 2006. “Play writing is there is a genuine alternative, people want to act responsibly. The Strategy’s objective of leading EU a powerful way of So what can the Government governments on sustainable procurement by exploring these usefully do to promote the cultural 2009 provides a key opportunity for Whitehall and spending shifts that will to lead by example and transform markets very complex issues conserve natural resources and through its £13 billion a year shopping list for facing society.” reduce our impact on climate? goods and services. (However, the SDC would We also need to press home the like to see this followed up with a 2020 target “Play writing is a powerful way crucial importance of involving for a carbon neutral public sector across the UK of exploring these very complex communities of all kinds – local in the new Climate Change Programme). issues facing society about how groups, business, civil society – in The requirement on all UK government and why we are so embedded negotiating the profound societal departments to produce Sustainable in materiality, and what we change required if we are to can do about it,” he explains. become a sustainable society.” Development Action Plans in 2005, setting out “I can play out the dynamics Tim Jackson is Professor how they intend to implement the Strategy’s and the tensions involved of Sustainable Development commitments and report on progress, also through characters, which adds at Surrey University’s Centre a valuable human dimension for Environmental Strategy, to my thinking on sustainable chairs the SDC’s Economics Wind Power development. Writing also helps Steering Group. in the UK keep me sane!” “A breakthrough” Over the last twelve years, Tim – Observer has pioneered the development of a ‘green GDP’ monitoring system for the UK, to sit Download alongside traditional measures free online of economic growth. This work, together with his academic research on what drives consumer behaviour, informed Your the SDC’s successful efforts to persuade government to adopt thoughts? a sustainable formula for future economic growth, and to explore Share experiences, a new national indicator to get moral support measure public wellbeing. through the email “My university work has led me club localsustuk naturally to the Commission as the place to take these findings and ideas forward with comment www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 21 suggests that the government means business. with business and one to focus on work and To ensure effective follow through, the SDC skills issues, who will help us further this would like to see Cabinet Ministers made agenda. (See also Alan Knight opposite). personally responsible for progress on these The stakes are high. UK production patterns Actions Plans. and spending habits will have to shift However, these are first steps on a long and profoundly if we are to meet our climate difficult road to alter radically UK business change targets, minimise waste production and models and buying habits. A key measure of play our part in protecting the world’s dwindling the Government’s resolve will be its reaction natural resources. to the report of the Sustainable Consumption The Treasury’s announcement that climate Roundtable due in March 2006. Co-hosted by change and natural resources will be among the SDC and the National Consumer Council, the the areas Gordon Brown will focus on in a Roundtable has brought together a small group review of long-term spending priorities is a of leading experts in consumer policy, retailing welcome sign that the Chancellor understands and sustainability to advise the Government on the seriousness of the situation. The SDC hopes practical steps they should take to help people he or his successor will be holding aloft a green reduce their environmental footprint. briefcase full of Wellbeing Accounts sooner rather than later.

Market Sustainable Lifestyle Shifts tipping points > Cycling in London has risen by 30% “I was interested in the since the congestion charge was arguments around sustainable introduced; morning rush hour bus use has risen by 29% products within the home. Its report will present the Government and business leaders with a powerful case and It raises interesting debates > New fridges sold in the UK today use practical vision for embracing sustainable 50% less energy, on average, than about what a company wants consumption. It will also identify market those sold just eight years ago to do commercially and what’s tipping points for successful green products such as energy efficient washing machines and > The cost to UK manufacturing industry right for the environment and of wasted natural resources equals 7% how we, as the champions of the Toyota Prius, to inform future government policy and influence corporate behaviour. of annual profit the subject, sell that to our The Government has promised an updated > Environmental technologies already managing directors who want Action Plan on sustainable consumption and command a global market worth over to do something completely production next year, taking into account the $500 billion different. So, I thought Alan Roundtable’s recommendations. It will also Knight's idea of a product lobby convene a new Sustainable Consumption and Source: Production Business Task Force to develop might be useful, if it was targeted Securing the Future, UK Sustainable Development Strategy practical actions for business. The SDC will London, 2005, pps 24, 42, 44. at chief executives to get them seek to build policy momentum around these to do their products differently.” developments and is appointing two new Kay Allen, Public Affairs Team, BSkyB Commissioners, one to focus on the interface opinion

22 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk Sustainable Products Panel

As the Chancellor gives a televised Wellbeing Day speech, the CEO of a digital TV manufacturer in Belfast is celebrating. The company has won its largest order yet for its lead brand digital television, secured because of the low environmental impact of its televisions. Most major retailers now track the life cycle of their products as an integral part of their corporate social responsibility agendas. As a result, the UK supply chain is increasingly green, with forward-looking manufacturers

reaping the benefits. viewpoint To help this process along and provide designers, manufacturers and consumers with information they can trust, a new Products The “so-called green consumer” Panel has been established to provide independent environmental and ethical Alan Knight information on goods for sale. The Panel works voluntarily with industry sectors to identify and Alan has seen firsthand the often minded trade associations, really want is value, quality and encourage consumer “tipping points” that will devastating environmental he wants to see government choice. They also expect that and social impacts involved in working with pioneering the product choices offered turn niche products into mass-market sellers. delivering everyday household companies to spread are safe and most people are Manufacturers and retailers have been products to UK homes. sustainability good practice. now happy to see that ethos encouraged to work with the Panel by the extended to being offered only From 1990 – 2000, as B&Q’s As an example, he cites Marks popularity of the Government-run consumer products that are also safe for Head of Sustainability, he spent & Spencer, who decided to sell information website Environment Direct. the environment and for people four months a year following the only free range eggs without a along the supply chain.” The SDC believes a Products Panel along these company's DIY products back big push from customers or an lines, or some kind of similar body, could play up the supply chain to their obvious competitive incentive. Alan Knight is head of a useful role in bringing green and ethical sources worldwide. “The SDC wants to see more Corporate Accountability at SAB work done with first movers such Miller. As an SDC Commissioner, consumerism from the margins into the “In Borneo’s tropical forests, as M&S to find ways to bring he co-chairs the Sustainable mainstream of UK life. It is among the scenarios I visited the factory making our everyone else along more Consumption Roundtable. we will explore in our ongoing discussions with products, then traced the wood quickly. Government also needs government, business and trades unions. back, on a canoe, to the forest to find ways – including policy which was supposed to be interventions – to help first supplying us. I had no idea if our mover companies gain maximum timber was even coming from competitive advantage and there, and many of the forests I benefit from what they are doing.” saw on my way were very badly managed. In India, the problems were more social. I discovered “I discovered awful awful working conditions in working conditions factories supplying us with basic products like door knobs – of in factories which we sold millions a year.” supplying us with This groundbreaking work led B&Q to adopt environmental basic products like and social supply chain policies, door knobs – of boosting the company’s reputation and competitive which we sold The stakes are high. UK advantage. Today, in his work for millions a year.” “production patterns and the Commission, Alan Knight remains motivated by the lesson Alan says the Sustainable spending habits will have he learned crisscrossing the Consumption Roundtable will globe: “the realisation that to shift profoundly if we publish research on “tipping modern consumers and the points” for greener markets, are to meet our climate big companies that service which he hopes will help inspire them, have lost the connection government confidence to show change targets, minimise between the things they buy and greater leadership in influencing use and the natural world they waste production and play the product ranges companies come from.” our part in protecting the choose to offer. Alan sees his SDC role as “I believe the roundtable will world’s dwindling natural “trying to re-make these demonstrate that most green connections and bring this kind resources. product success stories were of sustainability thinking into created by government or the mainstream. I try to advise business interventions, and not government on creative ways to demand from the so-called approach the business sector.” green consumer,” he explains. Government is missing a trick, ” “There has been much policy he says, by failing to recognise talk about investing in consumer fully the influence of retailers, campaigns on green issues both in the marketplace and to mobilise more green on the supply chain. Instead of consumers. What consumers negotiating with conservative-

www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 23 Four members of the Council for the Future (CfF) are appearing on Newsnight to broadcast its recommendations on how to counter climate change. None are politicians, two are in their 20s. A record number of viewers tune in, and text message their comments and action pledges after What the programme. we will say

24 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk It is 2007 and the CfF, established in the The SDC has not endorsed a specific model wake of concern over low voter turnout of citizen engagement. However, we believe in 2005, has revitalised national debate active participation by citizens in deciding new and injected a much needed long-term policies as well as in changing behaviour, will perspective into politics. be absolutely critical if the UK is to create Set up with all-party and media backing, the permission and political will to achieve and drawn from a representative cross sustainable development. section of 2,000 UK citizens, the Council We applaud the UK Government’s planned has formulated an agenda for individuals, £12m Climate Change Communications households, business and government to Campaign as a first step towards engaging reach the Government’s frail-looking carbon householders in carbon-saving efforts required reduction targets for 2050. to meet national emissions reduction targets. Political, business and social leaders, including Also highly welcome are Defra’s plans to the Prime Minister and Chancellor and the First convene a public deliberative forum to examine Ministers of Scotland and Wales, will make how the UK can achieve the objective of a televised responses to this, its first report. “single planet economy” and the Department The BBC will follow with a week of related of Health’s national deliberative forum on programmes and features. An international the future of health care, which will engage dimension is provided with links to similar 1,000 citizens in a one day debate. initiatives in the US and the Netherlands. Our own Communications Programme is The CfF’s conclusions drew on the results of local increasingly focused on ways to expand the Councils for the Future, set up in 2006 following national conversation on complex sustainability negotiation between Whitehall, the Welsh issues which often involve future uncertainties Assembly Government, Scottish Executive and and difficult individual choices. To enable more

We believe active participation by citizens in deciding “new policies as well as in changing behaviour, will be absolutely critical if the UK is to create the permission and political will to achieve sustainable development.

Northern Ireland Administration. Next year, people to inform our advice to government, the Council will tackle another long term we run regular electronic consultations” that “state of the future” issue – probably pensions feed into our policy development. We host or transport. two electronic discussion forums, and have From a 2005 standpoint, this may seem an a growing network of online contributors who unlikely scenario. But such ideas are gaining post and comment on sustainable development currency as concern grows over public case studies. disaffection with politics. Only 61.5% of those In January 2006, in partnership with the eligible to vote in 2005 did so, falling to 37% communication consultancy, Futerra, we will among 18-24-year-olds, while a 2003 poll be launching our online learning network for found that 56% of people felt they had sustainable development communications “no say in what the Government does.” professionals who want to swap information, (1) A consensus is emerging – which the SDC ideas and success stories and to work together endorses – that in order to reverse this trend, on key challenges in a safe environment. we must create a more engaged politics through which government and citizens work together more closely for change. Such participation is especially crucial when addressing the so called ‘wicked issues’ – The Compass complex subjects that demand a UK-wide Network consensus and will not be solved by short-term Our new learning thinking or adversarial politics. The pension network for “There is one key issue which crisis is one obvious candidate. Sustainable communicators is how do we get the public development offers many more – including interested and excited by climate change, transport, the future of of sustainable nuclear power and sustainable consumption development this rather than it remaining and production. in partnership within Government and about with Futerra. Government policies? We need some thing that really captures people’s imagination... because Your [this issue will] never move thoughts? without a rocket behind it.” Stewart Wallis, Director, New Economics Join the network – Foundation launch January 2006. opinion comment

www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 25 In summer 2006, we will launch a major new communications initiative, the Sustainable Development Panel (SDP). An electronic forum, it will draw on the expertise of up to 1,000 invited sustainability practitioners working at local, regional, national and UK level. The SDC will set up interactive discussions with the aim of informing national debate and thinking on key sustainability issues. The results will be compared to the views of members of the public both before and after they have a chance to ‘deliberate’ on the issues. In this way, we hope to develop a clear consensus on agendas for action. We expect the Panel’s work will also inform the SDC’s wider work programmes and help us to

viewpoint scrutinise public sector delivery on sustainable development, in line with our new watchdog role. Looking ahead, we envisage the SDP could Meaningful debates provide a complementary role as expert advisor to a Council for the Future or other similar body, Lindsey Colbourne should one be appointed. By 2008, another General Election will be Lindsey believes passionately “We need to create an active in the power of people working engagement on politically looming, and before that elections in Scotland together to effect change for difficult choices, so they are and Wales. It is not difficult to imagine a Council the better. openly faced and collectively for the Future leading a primetime TV debate addressed by politicians, on – for example – whether the winning party At the age of 25 she set up Vision citizens, stakeholders and the should introduce congestion charges in all city 21, the first voluntary sector-led media. It’s an exciting time centres. It’s likely, given modern technology, Local Agenda 21 network in the – with policymakers starting UK. Eventually growing to 1500 that this debate could involve 5,000 people to consider deliberative public Gloucestershire residents, the at simultaneous events in London, Cardiff, engagement as a serious network engaged volunteers, Edinburgh and Belfast, with millions of viewers method for finding answers to local councils and disparate calling in or text messaging their views and even the biggest challenges,” interest groups in more than 60 action pledges. she says. successful community-based sustainability projects. Since While welcoming the then she has worked with a Government’s recent public References: wide range of UK and overseas outreach initiatives on (1) The Causes of Decline in Electoral Activity in Britain: organisations, including house- communicating climate change, a Literature Review, p14. Commission research builders, fisheries, farmers, the future of health care and “one briefing paper. local councils and the World planet living”, she emphasises Bank, seeking active community that public engagement must input for often controversial shift from policy-making’s fringes developments. to its heart. “We need to “We have known for a long time what is needed to make the create an active UK more sustainable, but these measures will simply remain Our own Communications Programme engagement on politically unacceptable unless politically difficult we find ways to negotiate the “is increasingly focused on ways to expand profound transitions required choices, so they with citizens. My end goal at the the national conversation on complex are openly faced” Commission is to persuade and sustainability issues. help the Government to build “In my experience, bringing a constructive new relationships wide range of people together with the public. Relationships to work on an issue results in which will enable us to think, robust and imaginative outcomes talk, learn and decide together and a much greater level of trust about the critical issues facing ” and will for change,” she says. us today.” “In 12 years of working as Lindsey Colbourne is a public a neutral facilitator I have engagement specialist and never stated that sustainable Director of InterAct. She leads development is the preferred the SDC's communications work. outcome.Yet the results – no matter what the background of those involved or the issue being worked on – consistently map out a sustainable way forward.” On the Commission’s behalf, Lindsey is now working to persuade the Government to engage the public in meaningful nationwide debates about key sustainability issues such as climate change, road pricing and the future of nuclear power.

26 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk Conclusion. Building Tomorrow, Today The UK is at a crossroads One path forward will take us into a future where material demands continue to soar, the rich-poor gaps in income, good “The emphasis health and mortality continue to widen and our fossil fuel now is all consumption rises beyond the point where the 2010 and 2050 emissions targets have any hope of being met. This is the on action. business as usual route.

The alternative path, the path to UK Sustainable Development Strategy, the Welsh sustainability, demands changes in Assembly Sustainable Development Action Plan ” consumer behaviour, business models and the (soon to be published) sister strategies and government policy. It would involve for Scotland and Northern Ireland, provide some sacrifices (super-cheap air fares) a reasonable road map to reach these ends. but also bring many benefits (lower The emphasis now is all on action. During the utility bills, cleaner air and safer streets). lifetime of the current governments in London, This path, partially mapped out in this Edinburgh and Cardiff, there is a real opportunity publication, is not as difficult as many people to lay the building blocks for a sustainable claim. As we have demonstrated in these society and economy. pages, much of the technology, expertise and The Sustainable Development Commission will even infrastructure to get us from here to there do all it can to ensure that UK governments is already in place. But what it will require follow through on their commitments, some is a collective will and imagination currently 250 of which are made in Securing the Future lacking in the national conversation about the alone. In 2006, we will also be expanding our UK’s future. work programme into new areas critical to Most people – including many in government – achieving sustainable development including have not yet made, or accepted, the connection engaging the business sector and tackling the between the disparate policies which add up critical agenda surrounding the future of work to sustainable development and a better future. and employment in a sustainable, 21st century Yet many of the things people most value in life society. In the following pages, our lead – good health, schools and public services, safe Commissioners for Scotland, Wales and Northern and neighbourly communities, clean streets and Ireland give their views on the way ahead. air, green spaces – sustainable development In June 2005, the SDC staged a conference can deliver. It is also the only way to address at which we floated our ideas about what what is probably the greatest challenge facing “When Jonathon Porritt... talks a sustainable Britain might look like to about changing the process of the world today – climate change and its a well-informed audience. Some of the unpredictable consequences. views expressed are featured throughout government to make the whole In their UK Shared Framework on Sustainable this publication. idea of sustainable development Development, the governments in London, We also welcome feedback from readers on really part of government, he Edinburgh and Cardiff and the Northern Ireland any of the ideas and proposals put forward made an absolutely crucial point. Administration set goals for “living within in this report. Please send comments to The Commission has got to do environmental limits and a just society”, to be [email protected] achieved “by means of a sustainable economy, a lot more to push that through, good governance, and sound science.” The new to change the processes, to be less timid. Otherwise, nothing > Be part of the debate. will happen, it will be too late” Julian Rush, Science Correspondent, Sign up online at Channel 4 News sd-commission.org.uk comment www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 27 Wales viewpoint Ahead of the environmental game Rod Aspinwall

Rod has always been ahead that this was a body with top to senior civil servants of the environmental game. political backing. Working and ministers, to applaud A geologist by training, he for the Commission offered progress, critique lack of set up the UK’s first home- the possibility of addressing action, and warn about grown environmental the really crucial agendas targets that may be missed.” management consultancy facing our society and the in 1972, long before it world today.” “It was made became a mainstream A grandfather and organic career option. “I realised clear that the farmer, Rod cites “inter- that properly addressing generational responsibility” Commission environmental issues as a powerful personal required a multidisciplinary was seeking motivator for his work approach, so I set up my both with the SDC and people who were own company and brought as chairman of Cynnal in talented people from expected to think Cymru (the Sustainable many different disciplines.” Development Forum for out of the box His company thrived, Wales), which promotes growing from a tiny capacity-building among about sustainable operation based at the civil society, politicians, development.” Aspinwall home on the business leaders and local Welsh borders into an government. A second priority, he says, international consultancy. will be to keep a watching As SDC vice-chairman, Thirty years on, its founder brief on the new Rod views his key priority was attracted to the Government of Wales as assisting and, where Sustainable Development Act, due to come before necessary, prodding Commission because it Parliament in 2006, and the Welsh Assembly again offered the opportunity resist any attempts to Government to implement to test powers of foresight. “water down the language its pioneering Sustainable on Wales’ sustainable Development Action Plan. development duty.” “Wales has a “Wales has a formal duty formal duty to promote sustainable Rod Aspinwall is development in all its plans Professor of Environmental to promote and policies which is almost Management at Cardiff sustainable unique in the world. My University and chair of the Imagine the aim is to make sure the Sustainable Development senario? It is development in government follows through Forum for Wales. He is SDC 2015 and you are all its plans and – that there isn’t a political Vice-Chairman for Wales. buying fuel for mismatch between the high- policies which flown rhetoric and real action your hybrid car. is almost unique on the ground.” in the world.” A professor of environmental management at Cardiff Your University, Rod stresses that “It was made clear that the the Commission must base thoughts? Commission was seeking every recommendation people who were expected and argument it makes Carbon trading for to think out of the box about on solid evidence. He has individuals – read the sustainable development. commissioned university online debate Another strong motivation research to review all Welsh for me was the fact that Assembly Government Commissioners were policies and actions appointed by the Prime against the principles and Minster and the First commitments in the UK Ministers of the Devolved Framework. “We will use this Administrations, which meant

research, in presentations comment

28 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk Northern Ireland viewpoint Persuading, cajoling and coercing John Gilliland

The SDC’s newest be able to pass the land that this huge building Commissioner, John on to the next generation programme is implemented Gilliland, is a fifth generation in better shape.” in an innovative, sustainable family farmer with a mission. manner – by investing in This hands-on land “I would describe myself as appropriate public transport, management experience, a pioneer, looking outside for example – then we could together with a stint as the box for alternative land actually leapfrog the other president of the Ulster uses to sustain my family parts of the UK.” Farmers’ Union, strongly business, which is land.” informs John's efforts This quest has led him to on the SDC's behalf. “If I mess the convert his 250 hectares of “Half Northern Ireland’s whole thing up, cereals on the outskirts of population live in the rural Londonderry into a willow community and the agrifood I won’t be able tree farm. The crop is used industry is the largest to pass the land to provide either heat only, private employer. If we are or heat and power to local to develop new sustainable on to the next homes and businesses, economic activities, while while being multifunctional generating jobs and wealth, generation in through its use for waste efforts will also have to focus better shape” management as a biological on rural areas.” filter. Last year his company John Gilliland is a farmer His priorities as a established a willow-based and director of Rural Commissioner include biological filtering system Generation, a research and “persuading, cajoling and for all the sewage sludge development agri-business. coercing” key government generated by Londonderry’s He leads the SDC’s work departments whose treatment works. in Northern Ireland and responsibilities include co-chairs the UK Rural energy, waste disposal, Climate Change Forum. “Northern transport and health, Ireland has to raise sustainable development up their really started late agenda. Communicating on this agenda, sustainable development Rhetoric or reality to the public and business partly due to the community is also vital, he – how sustainable lack of political says, as is seeking more is development funds for the under-resourced in government? progress.” Department of Environment, which leads on sustainable John describes the development issues. challenges he faces in The Northern Ireland developing his farm as Sustainable Development Your “absolutely a mirror of” Strategy, due next year, and those facing Northern a 10-year £16 billion capital thoughts? Ireland and the UK in infrastructure programme addressing the three View the report and both provide opportunities, pillars – environmental, he believes, for the province join our debate online economic and social – of to play catch-up in embracing sustainable development. sustainable policies and “Whatever I do as a land practice. “Northern Ireland manager will have positive has really started late on or negative environmental this agenda, partly due to effects. I also have to get the lack of political progress. the economics right or there But if we can get support will be no farm. And if I mess for the strategy and ensure the whole thing up, I won’t comment www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 29 Scotland viewpoint Winning over hearts and minds Maureen Child

Maureen Child has a furniture and car parking the focus on developing job unique in the United limited to 40 spaces. countries to include fair Kingdom. The first elected trade local communities Maureen’s commitment to councillor to combine the – built on local jobs, local sustainable development political portfolios of finance resources, low impact grew via a roundabout and sustainable development, lifestyles and so on.” route that included training she is pioneering a local in biology and animal The SDC, she says, will press government model which behaviour, and employment the Scottish Executive to act she hopes will be copied as a community activist, child on such opportunities and around the UK. psychologist and counsellor on its own commitments, “It became clear to me soon to adults with severe including the Green Jobs after I joined Edinburgh learning difficulties. Strategy and the new Council in 1995 that Scottish Sustainable sustainable development “We need a real Development Strategy, due should be the central by the end of 2005. “Follow organising role for cultural change through and implementation government,” she says. in our approach to will be the key to whether “Making the connection with these strategies succeed,” finance was the natural next consumption and says Maureen. “We are step. I realised we needed quality of life.” hoping for clear targets and to make sustainable actions across the functions development the guiding of the Scottish Executive.” “My training in biology gave principle behind what we me a holistic view of how the Maureen Child is the spend and how we assess world works which I think is City of Edinburgh Council's risk. Instead of working on helpful when you’re trying Executive Member for an annual financial basis, we to implement sustainable Sustainability and Finance needed to think long term development. Many people and was the SDC Vice- to achieve sound financial have real difficulty grasping Chair for Scotland until management.” the concept of unsustainable Autumn 2005. human activities and their “Making the impacts, because the way connection with we’ve been taught to think is all about short-termism and finance was the individual advancement.” natural next step.” Winning over hearts and minds, she says, will be While some were sceptical a key priority for the SDC at first, her fellow councillors in Scotland, along with are catching on, she says. promoting major investments “Our city plan states that in energy efficiency and we want to be the most renewables and in urban sustainable and successful public transport. “We need city in northern Europe by a real cultural change in our 2015; that's a good starting approach to consumption point to get people thinking and quality of life. For long term about our city's example, the fair trade future and finances.” movement has really caught One major victory she on in Scotland. I think there has already scored is to is tremendous potential make the Council's new to expand this beyond headquarters a model sustainable building, with a brownfield location, locally sourced materials, grey water recycling, eco-friendly

30 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk Who we are Our 2005 – 2006 board of 14 Commissioners play a central role to the SDC, developing and steering our work programmes. Commissioners include the SDC Chair, Jonathon Porritt, and three Vice Chairs who focus on developing relationships across Whitehall and with Scotland and Wales. Five steering group chairs guide our programme areas. Commissioners are selected to provide a wide range of expertise and experience, and are drawn from commerce, youth work, academia, trade unions, politics and government, non-profit, and grassroots action.

Jonathon Porritt Rod Aspinwall Chair Vice Chair

Bernard Bulkin Lindsey Colbourne Anna Coote John Gilliland

”I have been the manager of ecodyfi (the Dyfi Eco Valley Partnership) since Tim Jackson Alan Knight Tim O’Riordan Derek Osborn June 1998.” Join our online community of contributors sd-commission.org.uk

Your story? you can join our Andy Rowland Alice Owen Anne Power Hugh Raven Rebecca Willis online community Vice Chair of contributors comment www.sd-commission.org.uk Review 2005 – 2006 31 “On the Move is a powerful challenge to “With its practical visions of a current public attitudes on lifestyle issues, sustainable society, On the Move which are marked, as the conclusion says, demonstrates that the SDC has by a lack of ‘collective will and imagination’. lived up to its claim of being on the The report’s practical recommendations are borderline between radicalism and UK directed but have a global significance, pragmatism. Of all the challenges not only on the problem of global warming. identified by the Commission, two Absent entirely however, is any reference to stand head and shoulders above the the damage done to both development and others. First, the need for government the environment, UK and worldwide, by the to plug the credibility gap between militarism on which the world spends over rhetoric and reality in its own a thousand billion dollars a year. activities. Second, the need for more popular engagement to show that, far This is the elephant in the world kitchen from being an exotic extra that we can that we regularly ignore.” ill-afford, sustainable development Bruce Kent can enrich the quality of everyday life, especially the way we live, work, travel and power our society. “Climate change is the most serious and By providing us with a feasible route pressing challenge the world has ever map to a more sustainable society, faced. It is time to get real – and much On the Move makes hope practical.” more focussed… Now is the time for the Professor Kevin Morgan, Cardiff University ‘Government watchdog’ to show its teeth. The UK has failed to live up to its own rhetoric and to even meet the carbon targets it set for itself.There is no disguising the fact that “...builds a wonderful bridge between idealism our policies and programmes are simply not and pragmatism. If these practical proposals good enough and that our entire environment presented in the review were to be implemented is seriously at risk. The irony is that the a firm foundation would be laid for a sustainable Government probably could attract support future... If we wish to combat global warming a rather than losing it, if it is honest about swift transition from global trading to local trading the challenge we face and initiates radical and from petroleum energy to renewable energy action.The other irony, is that we have a real has to become a sustainability imperative.‘On the chance to become a world leader in these Move’ implicitly and explicitly implies that...” new technologies and to develop economic Satish Kumar, Editor, Resurgence Magazine advantage too.We now need bold leadership from Government – and from all those that advise and support it.” Ted Cantle, Associate Director, IDeA

32 Review 2005 – 2006 www.sd-commission.org.uk Photography credits Front cover and page 27: Getty Images. Page 1: TS/Keystone USA, Rex Features. Page 3 and 4: Getty Images. Page 6: iStockphoto. Page 10: Getty Images. Page 13, top left: Rex Features. Page 14: Alamy. Page 15, bottom right: Alamy. Page 17: ©John Sturrock, Report Digital. Page: 18, top image: ©John Sturrock, Report Digital, bottom image: ©Duncan Phillips, Report Digital. Page 20: Getty Images. Page 22, top left and top right: Alamy. Page 24: Alamy. Page 25, top image: Gordon Jack, Rex Features, top image: Rex Features. Grangemouth photographs by permission, Portobello High School photographs by permission, Bronllys Hospital photographs courtesy of Dulas Ltd – www.dulas.org.uk, Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust photograph by permission, Wythenshawe Forum Health Zone photograph by permission. Scottish Seabird Centre photograph by permission.

Acknowledgements Thanks to Polly Ghazi. Also to Esther Maughan McLachlan of Strong Language

Gellir lawrlwytho fersiwn Gymraeg o'r ddogfen drwy fynd i ddalen Cymru ar ein gwefan.

Design by The Forster Company www.forster.co.uk Printed by St Ives Financial Printed on recycled paper using 100% post-consumer waste. www.sd-commission.org.uk “You should not need a crystal ball “The SDC has hit the nail on the to know that soon you could heat head in identifying that the path to sustainability is not too difficult; the your house for half the money, run real challenge is galvanising the your car more cheaply, eat food that UK’s collective will and imagination is good for both the body and the to go down that path.That is where soil, shop and cut the waste by the focus of effort must be.” half, live a life that’s fit and fairer Sir John Harman, Chairman, Environment Agency for all and make a climate that is safer for the world. The Sustainable “‘On the Move’ provides a welcome vision for our country’s future, one Development Commission shows which we must all strive to deliver with authority and urgency that all today.A crucial challenge in this this is practically possible! If we (as will be to recognise the benefits voters and consumers, government a healthy and wildlife-rich environment can bring – to our and business) don’t get our act urban communities, to our together and do it, we will not want children’s education, to our health a crystal ball to see what will happen and to our economy.A key issue that needs to be tackled now to the earth”. is ensuring we properly value James, Bishop of Liverpool biodiversity and the natural environment in all planning and decision making.This needs to “What kind of society do we want to go beyond our shores to make live in? Certainly one where fresh, local sure our actions and lifestyles and healthy food is always on offer in don’t destroy or damage other schools and hospitals. Good food should parts of the world.” be a hallmark of a good NHS hospital, and the Commission’s work on good Graham Wynne, Chief Executive, RSPB corporate citizenship, featured here in On the Move, very much helps to drive this message home.” Loyd Grossman

“This review is excellent on citizen engagement. The Commission really does understand how vital it is to get citizens involved in the day to day delivery of sustainable lifestyles… does joined up like no one else I know in Government.” Philip Selwood, Chief Executive, Energy Saving Trust

Contact us You can contact the Sustainable Development Commission at: London (main office): Edinburgh: 0131 244 0140 Sustainable Development Commission, [email protected] Ground Floor, Ergon House, Horseferry Road, sd-commission.org.uk/scotland London, SW1P 2AL Belfast: 02890 257346 Telephone: 020 7238 4999 [email protected] Email: [email protected] Cardiff: 029 2082 6382 [email protected] Order more copies of sd-commission.org.uk sd-commission.org.uk/wales ‘On the move’ free online