Sustainability

What is sustainability?

The most commonly understood definition is from the famous Brundtland report (1987), which defined ‘sustainable development’ as “meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Melbourne Principles

The Severn Sound Sustainability Plan is based on the Melbourne Principles for Sustainable Cities. The Melbourne Principles are intended to guide thinking and provide a framework for action.

Principle 1: Provide a long-term vision for cities based on: sustainability; intergenerational, social, economic and political equity; and their individuality.
Principle 2: Achieve long-term economic and social security.
Principle 3: Recognise the intrinsic value of biodiversity and natural ecosystems, and protect and restore them.
Principle 4: Enable communities to minimise their ecological footprint.
Principle 5: Build on the characteristics of ecosystems in the development and nurturing of healthy and sustainable cities.
Principle 6: Recognise and build on the distinctive characteristics of cities, including their human and cultural values, history and natural systems.
Principle 7: Empower people and foster participation.
Principle 8: Expand and enable cooperative networks to work towards a common, sustainable future.
Principle 9: Promote sustainable production and consumption, through appropriate use of environmentally sound technologies and effective demand management.
Principle 10: Enable continual improvement, based on accountability, transparency and good governance.