Sustainable Living

People have come to realise that many problems will not be solved without thinking about environmental, social and economic activity. Considering these when solving problems and developing policies is known as sustainable development.

The main principles of sustainability are:

• Environment - we have to protect the environment and reduce our consumption of natural resources so future generations can enjoy the same standard of living as we do
  
• Quality of life - we have to consider the social, moral and cultural aspects of our lives
  
• Equity - things should be equally shared fairly between nations and within countries and communities. This includes wealth, opportunity and responsibility. Communities should be inclusive.
  
• The future - we have to think about the effect our actions today will have on future generations
  
• The precautionary principle - if we are not sure what effect our actions will have on the environment or future generations we should not do it
  

You can do your bit at home, school and work. Click on the links below to find out more.

At home

At work

In the community

For more information on how to help at school see the sustainable schools page.

How many worlds do you need to support your lifestyle? Click on the globe to find out.

A sustainable community is a place where people want to live and work now and will want to live and work in future.

Sustainable communities are:

• Active, inclusive and safe
  
• Well run
  
• Environmentally sensitive
  
• Well designed and built
  
• Well connected
  
• Thriving
  
• Well served
  
• Fair for everyone
  

Developing sustainable communities involves input for a range of organisations and departments within the council. Look at growth, countryside, planning, waste and recycling and the safer community partnership.

The Local Strategic Partnership and Community Strategy also work towards creating sustainable communities in Milton Keynes. The Government see local authorities and their partners as pivotal to delivering sustainable communities. You can find out about the role of local authorities and their partners in delivering sustainable communities.

Also see the Department for Communities and Local Government sustainable community pages