Sustainable development

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on sustainable development. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
08.11.2012The Forestry Commission and the sale of public forests in England
This note sets out information on the sale of public forests managed by the Forestry Commission
05.03.2012The Rio+20 UN conference on sustainable development
From 20-22 June 2012 the UN will hold a conference on sustainable development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, twenty years on from the 'Earth Summit' of 1992, also held in Rio. This note sets out the likely agenda for the conference and some surrounding political issues.
27.02.2012The Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill 2010-12
The Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill contains two measures. One will give the Government the discretion to reduce water bills in certain regions. The other will give the Government the discretion to provide financial assistance for major water and sewage infrastructure projects. Initially the Government plans to use these powers to reduce water bills in the South West of England and to support the Thames Tunnel project.
13.07.2011Energy from waste and incineration
This note looks at the role of energy from waste and incineration.
30.03.2011Eco Towns
This note describes the Government programme of new settlements based on ecological principles, along with comment and criticism.

Research Papers

DateDescription
24.02.2010Sustainable Communities Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill [Bill 21 of 2009-10]
The Bill seeks to amend the 2007 Act by setting a deadline for the Secretary of State to initiate the next round of proposals for enhancing the sustainability of local communities from local authorities under the Act. It provides for regulations to be made specifying the rules for this process. These are also to cover parish council involvement and the role of local petitioning. There is also provision for greater flexibility in decision-making on proposals.
22.11.2007Housing and Regeneration Bill, Bill 8 of 2007-08
Housing and Regeneration Bill. (Bill 8 of 2007/08). House of Commons Library Research Paper 07/79.
14.06.2007The Sustainable Communities Bill Committee Stage Report
15.01.2007The Sustainable Communities Bill

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
07.09.2011Sustainable development in the Localism Bill.
Government response. Environmental Audit Select Committee; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs report [Commons]
16.03.2011Sustainable development in the Localism Bill.
Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
16.12.2010Embedding sustainable development across government, after the Secretary of State's announcement on the...
Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
13.10.2009Sustainable development in a changing climate.
Government response. Department for International Development; International Development Select Committee report [Commons]
20.05.2009Sustainable development in a changing climate.
International Development Select Committee report [Commons]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
20.10.2011INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT 40th ANNIVERSARY
That this House notes that the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) marks its 40th anniversary on 24 October 2011; further notes that IIED was launched in ...
16.03.2011SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
That this House supports the Government's aspiration to be the greenest ever; recognises the Sustainable Development Commission's progress to date in monitoring and increasing the sustainability ...
25.10.2010LEICESTER AND SUSTAINABILITY
That this House congratulates Leicester City on its position as the UK's second most sustainable city in the Forum for the Future's Sustainable Cities Index; notes that Leicester has ...
15.07.2010SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NATIONAL PARKS
<p>That this House welcomes the recent independent evaluation of the Sustainable Development Fund in National Parks undertaken by Land Use Consultants; notes the finding that the 9.9 ...
08.06.2010SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ACT 2007 PROPOSALS
That this House welcomes the involvement of the many communities and local authorities in the first round of proposals from the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 and is especially heartened ...

POST Papers

DateDescription
15.05.2012Bioenergy
Bioenergy is the use of renewable natural material for power, heat and liquid fuels. Currently, the UK sources approximately 3% of its primary energy from bioenergy feedstocks. This POSTnote considers the opportunities and challenges of producing bioenergy sustainably to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets.
20.03.2012Seeking Sustainability
Sustainability is the long term maintenance and enhancement of human well-being within finite planetary resources. It is usually considered to have environmental, economic, and social dimensions. This POSTnote summarises issues in defining and achieving sustainability

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - an occasional series of papers compiled by the House of Lords Library