Monday 7 March 2005

WWF's Director of Campaigns, Andrew Lee said:

"WWF welcomes the UK government's move towards a 'One Planet Economy' as part of the new UK Sustainable Development Framework, in other words a successful economy that grows within the capacity of the planet's resources. This signals a radical new approach and for the first time acknowledges that economic growth cannot be measured as a success in isolation, or an end in its own right, but must be judged by its global impact on people and the environment."

Recent reports have shown that if everyone in the world lived as we do in United Kingdom today, we would need three planets to survive. The blind pursuit of economic growth has led us down this manifestly unsustainable path, which is costing a fortune to rectify - from contaminated land and water, to climate change and waste mountains. The government's own indicators show that despite its efforts, carbon emissions are rising again, most fish stocks are still on the danger list and waste is increasing year on year.

"The UK Sustainable Development Framework is a blueprint for a 'One Planet Economy.' For the first time the government has set out clearly the extent to which we are living beyond our means and what needs to be done about it," Andrew Lee went on to say.

"This strategy should mark a step change in moving the UK towards One Planet Living. This will create huge opportunity for innovative UK businesses to move into new global markets."

WWF believes that in an election year, and when our Prime Minister is putting climate change centre stage in the G8 and EU presidencies, the principles set out in this document are fundamental and should be applied as a key test to forthcoming announcements, for example on Sustainable Communities, the Budget and the review of the UK Climate Change programme.

The event was launched in Scotland by First Minister Jack McConnell who said: 'Bringing about real change and truly developing Scotland in a more sustainable way means building sustainable development in everything that we do."

Richard Dixon, Head of Policy at WWF Scotland, commented:

"Today's announcement is an auspicious start to developing the first-ever Scottish Sustainable Development Strategy a once only opportunity to achieve a thriving economy based on a fair society and a healthy environment. The strategy will mark Scotland's future path to achieving a One Planet Economy - indeed, One Planet Living. The consequences of not doing so are too costly - continuing the grim cycle of war, global poverty and dramatically declining natural resources."

Three clear steps to a "One Planet Economy":

1. Sustainable communities:
   
   • A clear statement that the Sustainable Buildings Code will be based on the EcoHomes 'Very Good' standard as a minimum
   • A high profile commitment that all new government-funded housing will meet that standard.
   • A pledge that the new housing and related infrastructure developments in the Thames Gateway will be carbon-neutral.
2. The Budget on 16 March must now make the goal of a One Planet Economy meaningful, with new fiscal measures shifting the overall burden of taxation towards environmentally harmful practices.
3. The Climate Change Programme Review needs to meet these expectations, to end speculation that UK emissions targets will be missed, and to put in place specific policy commitments on power, energy efficiency and transport that demonstrably add up to deliver the UK's domestic CO₂ targets.

A "One Planet Economy" could:

• deliver new products and services with lower environmental impacts e.g. sustainable homes - with energy efficient, sustainable and non-toxic materials, it is now possible to build houses in the UK that have zero carbon dioxide emissions. Water use is also being radically reduced through innovative reuse and efficiency technologies;
• deliver changes in public procurement e.g. National Health Service and schools using local, seasonal, organic produce;
• deliver a 60 per cent cut by 2050 in climate changing emissions (CO₂) from aviation, road transport, households and business through energy efficiency and use of renewable energy alongside a radically improved public transport system;
• reduce waste by generating less waste plus recycling, composting and using waste as source of energy;
• deliver innovative and competitive new business models and products with new design solutions, better and more environmentally friendly design, innovative "material" light goods with longer inbuilt life;
• focus on sustainable fisheries and bring fish stocks within safe biological limits;
• offer citizens genuine consumer choice in more sustainable products and production, fewer food miles, and less packaging.