Sustainability

What Does Sustainability Mean?

Everything we make, build or do uses valuable resources and energy, so we need to make sure we minimise these resources and energy as well as other impacts on the environment and make sure that what we make lasts for as many years as possible. With temperature rises leading to Climate Change, this is now even more important to us than ever.

The term 'sustainability' means doing what we want today, but making sure that in doing so, this doesn't create problems for future generations - this is also referred to as 'sustainable development'. The first United Nations 'Earth Summit' was held in Rio in 1992 and this produced 'Agenda 21', with the aim of seeing 'sustainable development' taking place in the 21st century.

How does it affect the district of Daventry?

At Daventry District Council, sustainability is achieved through the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) and its Community Strategy as well as its Environmental Management System. The Community Strategy encompasses sustainable practices in relation to education, planning and development control, housing and transport. We are also very aware of our own 'in-house' environmental responsibilities and work to achieve the following through our Environmental Management System: waste minimisation and recycling, sustainable procurement, green travel planning, energy efficiency and water conservation, investigating the use of renewable energy and internal staff training and awareness.