Concept of Environmental Sustainability into Policy and Actions of the UK - Literature review Example

Name : xxxxxxxxxxx Institution : xxxxxxxxxxx Title : xxxxxxxxxxx Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxx Course : xxxxxxxxxxx @2010 How successfully has the UK government embraced the concept of environmental sustainability into its policy and actions? Introduction Environmental sustainability is an expression that has become ubiquitous ever since the 21st century (Shaw, 2010). According to the World Commission on Environment and Development (1987), it can be described as the development that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the future generation’s ability to meet their own needs. It entails social, environmental and economic dimensions with the consequence that its commitment towards sustainable development is and will be reflected in policies concerning issues as diverse as biodiversity, climate change, renewable energy, waste management, energy efficiency, transport and public health in addition to its overall economic objectives. The UK has for instance, strived to minimize its impact on the environment and to enhance sustainability. However, the question commonly asked is whether it has successfully embraced the concept into its policy and action. This particular paper will therefore analyze how successfully the UK government has embraced the concept of environmental sustainability into its policy and actions. Literature Review According to Sassi (2009), dealing with sustainability requires in the first case, the formulation of an individual position concerning the relation between humans and the natural environment. Only later can an individual attempt to turn principles into actions. However, whereas finding a stand on the subject of sustainability may not be easy enough, implementing theoretical views in practice is even more difficult. Whether adopting a quality -of-life or nature-focused approach, the conversion of a special idea into practice comes up against practical issues that cannot be easy to consolidate. According to Whitehead (2006), when it comes to matters related to environmental sustainability, the UK is something of a paradox. At one level it can be viewed as a global leader bearing the fact that it was UK’s 1956 Clean Air Act which is widely considered as the first piece of environmental legislation focusing on air pollution agreed in the world, while the founding of the Ecology Party during the year 1973 in the UK was the first recognized green party in Europe. The government of UK also played an active role in the United Nations Conference on Human Environment in Stockholm. According to Tewdwr-Jones (1996) therefore, there is no doubt that the concept of sustainability has been extensively embraced by the UK government. Tewdwr-Jones (1996) argues that this concept has been integrated into policies in the UK government strategies and is at the centre of current reforms to the planning system. Osborn (1997) highlights that the 1990s have, for instance, seen some significant progress in environmental policies as enshrined in planning legislation, policy as well as practice. However, despite these achievements, Whitehead (2009) argues that the UK has continued enduring a poor record as far as environmental sustainability is concerned. As one of first developed nations in the world, the UK had developed a legacy of severe environmental pollution. Many of UK’s most severe environmental problems were related to air pollution. As early as the 1960s, it had one of the worst records of air pollution in Europe with the emissions of sulphur dioxide (mainly emitted by power stations) standing at 179.6u g/m3 and associated black smoke concentrations of 155.8 ug/m3 (Christie, Warburton & Real World Coalition, 2001). In reaction to the environmental, social and the economic impacts caused by climate change, the UK government is on the process of putting into law its commitment to lessen carbon dioxide releases through domestic as well as international action by no less than 60 percent by 2050.It has pinpointed the housing industry as one of the key sectors where action needs to be taken in order to deliver the target (McLaren, Bullock, Yousuf & Friends of the Earth, 1998). The UK government has already set demanding targets for the industry. With the issue of climate change moving from the periphery of public understanding to gaining international recognition as a grave issue, the UK government views this issue as the most significant individual sustainability issue that developers ought to address. According to the Next Generation (2008), a progress report since 2007 clearly point out that significant progress has been made by the housing industry over the past years. It was, however, identified that the sector had no strategic approach towards addressing climate change issues. The sector is also acting well in response to the agenda started by the government with regard to the code for sustainable homes. Next Generation (2008) further highlights that of the 20 companies assessed during the year 2008, eight incorporated climate change policies in place compared to none in the year 2007.In fact, four out of every top 20 homebuilders have made commitments towards attaining code level three energy standards prior to government deadlines. Evidence reveals that 55 percent of homebuilders are presently measuring operational carbon releases with 45 percent setting either short or long-term targets, or both to achieve reduction. Next Generation (2008) also highlights that a number of companies have acted proactively in response to the risks associate with climate change issues. However, the discrepancy in the results portrays a picture of an industry that is still struggling with policies by the UK government for both the homes it is developing as well the way it operates its businesses. According to Wilson & Smith (2007), guarantying a sustainable economy is also emphasized in the UK government principles and priorities as crucial to sustainable development. In the social housing perspective, a housing association’s implicit is to maximize the social wellbeing of its customers while maintaining a feasible business to go on into the future. However; the sector’s role has changed considerably. Other than the main landlord roles, associations have raised their contributions to and on several occasions led other public service developments (typically community safety and social enterprise, care and support, neighbourhood renewal and regeneration).These have been instigated by regulatory and business priorities as well as capital and social revenue. The model has been extremely successful and is gradually being considered within the growth of the “third sector” as the long-established models of public service provision are pulled out (Pinfielda, 1996). On the other hand, according to Institute for Public Research & Green Alliance (2006), the performance of UK on recycling up to now has been lamentable. Waste is a without a doubt, a big problem-a 300 million tones problem within the UK alone. Not just because they have to be disposed off, but also because waste symbolizes poor use of resources. At a broad level, the UK government has taken in the idea of decoupling wealth from waste production. Nonetheless, recycling has been primarily motivated by goals of landfill diversion as well as limited producer responsibility legislation, meaning the UK is still a long way from the cradle-to-cradle vision. Energy resulting from the waste has the potential of causing distraction from the much-needed focus on increasing recycling for the UK (Great Britain Parliament, House of Lords, Science & Technology Committee, 2008). According to Gouldson & Roberts (2000), the UK wanted to be a leader on sustainable production and consumption, in addition to product policy, however, the early passion has faded, and the agenda ought to be provided a new life. The cradle-to-cradle future is unrealistic, though beguiling. The Great Britain Parliament, House of Commons & Environment Audit Committee (2004) highlights too that local programs aimed at driving sustainable development have also been incorporated in the local agenda 21, argued to be the most influential output of the year 1992 “Rio Earth Summit”. Local environment sustainability lays down the local environment sustainability context, and in particular, reflects on how the local government can enhance sustainable development by developing partnerships with various groups and organizations within the local community, an indication of how serious the UK government is in embracing the concept of environmental sustainability into its policies and actions (Buckingham-Hatfield & Percy, 1998). Analysis and Evaluation It is an undisputable fact that the UK government has strived constantly to cut its impact on the environment and to enhance sustainability. However, basing on the analysis above, it can be argued that the UK government seems to be having mixed results as far as how successful it has embraced the concept of environmental sustainability into its policy and actions (Buckingham, 2003). According to Miliband (2006), the UK’s approach has been characterized by lack of ambition, too few mechanisms to bring change, a focus on meeting the least-cost compliance with European commands as well as a desire to steer clear of short-term costs rather than addressing how it can make the required long-term transitions. For instance, according to Buckingham, Buckingham-Hatfield & Percy (1999), significant progress has been made by the housing industry over the past years. The sector is also acting well in response to the agenda started by the government with regard to the code for sustainable homes. It is, however, identified that the sector had no strategic approach towards addressing climate change issues. In terms of its performance on recycling, up to now, Next Generation (2008) argues that has been lamentable. Miliband (2006) therefore argues that provided that this mindset rules, the UK government is unlikely to achieve much as far as environmental sustainability is concerned. In general, one apparent problem is that there are neither clear nor appropriate institutional structures within which planning authorities are able to allocate specific policies. Conclusion As highlighted by the analysis above, the UK seems to be something of a paradox as far as environmental sustainability is concerned. A rich concept of environmental sustainability is required in order to provide the description essential to driving sustainability through all government levels. The introduction of a dedicated sustainability ought to advocate for a “big picture” in addition to supporting stewards within various departments, while also having the task of auditing sustainability reporting which may well provide the necessary facilitating structure within the government. Generally, the concept of environmental sustainability in UK needs to be enhanced as well as be disseminated to all government levels so that there is a general understanding of the concept all through; environmental sustainability is not purely about reactions to climate change, equal access matters and biodiversity. The concept ought to be converted into a working model that is suitably suited to the primary functions of government, such as policy making, procurement and service delivery. References Buckingham, S, 2003, Local environmental Sustainability: Woodhead Publishing in Environmental Management, Woodhead Publishing. Buckingham-Hatfield, S & Percy, S, 1998, Constructing Local Environmental Agendas: People, Places and Participation, Routledge. Buckingham, S, Buckingham-Hatfield, S & Percy, S, 1999, Constructing Local environmental agendas: People, Places, and Participation, Routledge. Christie, Warburton & Real World Coalition, 2001, From here to sustainability: politics in the real world, Earthscan. Gouldson, A & Roberts, P.W, 2000, Integrating Environment and Economy: Strategies for Local and Regional Government, Routledge. Great Britain, Parliament, House of Lords & Science & Technology Committee, 2008, Waste reduction: Government response: Report Volume 203 of Paper (Great Britain Parliament. (Session 2007-08). House of Lords) Volume 7 of Report (Great Britain Parliament. (Session 2007-08). House of Lords, Science and Technology Committee)), The Stationery Office. Great Britain Parliament, House of Commons. Environment Audit Committee, 2004, The Sustainable Development Strategy: Written and oral evidence House of Commons papers, Volume 2 of The Sustainable Development Strategy: Illusion or Reality? Great Britain. Parliament, House of Commons. Environment Audit Committee, The Stationery Office. Institute for Public Research & Green Alliance, 2006, A Zero Waste UK. Miliband, D, 2006, Speech to the Audit Commission Annual Lecture, London: The Great Stink towards an Environmental Contract. McLaren, D, Bullock, S, Yousuf, N & Friends of the Earth, 1998, Tomorrow’s World: Britain's Share in a Sustainable Future, Earthscan Library Collection Volume 15 of Sustainable development, Earthscan. Next Generation, 2008, A Partnership to Deliver Sustainable Homes for 21st Century Living: Developing Homes for a Changing Climate: Benchmarking how UK Homebuilders are responding to climate change risks and Opportunities Autumn: Developing Homes for a Changing climate. Osborn, D, 1997, Some Reflections on UK Environment Policy, 1970-1995, Journal of Environmental Law, Vol 9 No 1, Oxford University Press. Pinfielda, G, 1996, Beyond Sustainability Indicators: Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability, Volume 1, Issue 2, 1996, Pages 151 – 163. 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