The health and prosperity of human beings and the natural environment are intrinsically linked. To ensure that future generations can flourish, we must therefore afford appropriate respect to the ecological balancing mechanisms which act to maintain the environment. This means that as we strive to address issues such as poverty and disease, we must recognise the environmental limits thus imposed upon us. This is sustainable development - the solving of our most pressing problems in environmentally sound ways.

More background information: Sustainable development

 NIEL Recommendations

• A Minister must be designated with direct responsibility for sustainable development in the Northern Ireland Executive. With the closure of the Sustainable Development Unit at Stormont, Northern Ireland remains without a Sustainable Development Commissioner and it is unlikely now to happen. There is some concern that the standing of the issue at the heart of the Executive has been tempered somewhat and so close attention will be given to how Departments seek to incorporate the targets and actions outlined through the Implementation Plans due to be published in 2011.
  

• A Communications Strategy is needed to assist in the delivery of targets outlined and initiating the step change required in how we approach the issue of sustainable development in Northern Ireland. Specific action plans must be developed in relation to key sectors, for example to deliver a Carbon Neutral Government Estate by 2020, and these must be linked to headline objectives contained within the Programme for Government and Regional Development Strategy. The active participation of a wide range of stakeholders from the business, NGO and local government sectors is required to ensure full acceptance and willing delivery of these plans in wider society.

• Examples of projects showing good SD practice should be highlighted to demonstrate the multiple benefits and encourage uptake of sustainable principles

• Despite the delay of the full introduction of RPA reform, the intention to allocate increased responsibility to local councils in terms of development and planning should be followed through. The Power of Wellbeing is one such power which should be brought into law so that local councils can provide the flexibility required to overcome current limitations, address the particular concerns of local people and encourage the development of sustainable communities.