Low Carbon and Sustainable Communities

Sustainable communities can be described as places where:

the needs of everyone in the community are met and people feel safe, healthy and ultimately happy
our environment is appreciated, protected and enhanced and damage to the environment is minimised
our economy is vibrant, employment opportunities are improved and our working lives are more rewarding

use energy, water and other natural resources efficiently and with care
minimise waste, then re-use or recover it through recycling, composting or energy recovery, and finally sustainably dispose of what is left
limit pollution to levels which do not damage natural systems
value and protect the diversity of nature

create and enhance places, spaces and buildings which work well, wear well and look good
make settlement 'human' in scale and form
value and protect diversity and local distinctiveness and strengthen local community and cultural identity
protect human health and amenity through safe, clean and pleasant environments
emphasise health service prevention action as well as cure
ensure access to good food, water, housing and fuel at a reasonable cost
meet local needs locally wherever possible
maximise everyone's access to the skills and knowledge needed to play a full part in society
empower all sections of the community to participate in decision-making and consider the social and community aspects of decisions

create a vibrant local economy that gives access to satisfying and rewarding work without damage to the local, national or global environment
value unpaid work
encourage necessary access to facilities, services, goods and other people in ways which make less use of the car and minimise impacts on the environment
make opportunities for culture, leisure and recreation readily available to all