Sustainable development

Biological diversity provides the basis for life and prosperity for the whole of mankind (TEEB, 2008).

Biodiversity is vanishing at an alarming rate globally and this is reducing the ability of ecosystems to sustain our livelihoods and our health.

In 1987 the Bruntland Report  made the links between environmental degradation, poverty and poor health . This lead to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the "Rio Earth Summit") in 1992, and the subsequent creation of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Twenty years on the Rio +20 Earth Summit   in 2012 still faces the challenge of securing a reasonable standard of living for the world's population whilst preserving our ecosystems and resources.

Current initiatives

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)   highlights the growing cost of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation and makes a compelling economic case for action to halt these.

A Resource-Efficient Europe  - supports the shift towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon economy to achieve sustainable grow - is one of seven flagship initiatives under the Europe 2020 strategy. 

A Greener Scotland  - promotes Scotland's natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it - is one of the Scottish Government's five strategic objectives.

The Sustainable Scotland Network  promotes local government's contribution to achieving a sustainable Scotland.