Language of sustainability: UK Government

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Language of sustainabilityUK Government
Will Ashley-Cantello Sustainable Development
Programme, Defra
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Securing the Future laid out the sustainability
language for UK government

• Integrated vision of sustainable development
  through to 2020
• Focus on moving from words into actions
• Developed across the UK, and with central,
  regional and local Government
• gtgt Sustainable Development Programme
• www.defra.gov.uk/sustainable

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From that the sustainable development principles
articulated our view of sustainable development
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The strategy outlined a UK vision for sustainable
development that used a lot of familiar language
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The strategy also created a model for how our
audience engagement can be most effective
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The key audiences for the sustainable development
programme inform the language that we use

• Key audiences of SD programme
• Within our own department
• Other Government departments
• Local and regional government
• International other Governments
• Audiences of wider government
• Business, media, individuals, wider public
  sector, NGOs
• This disparate group results in a variety of
  languages being used by government for
  sustainability

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Other arms of Government utilise language not
shown in strategy, in order to be most effective
General Public Act on CO2 Save money, save
energy. DirectGov/Defra Third Sector Strategy
greener living Business BERR Low carbon,
resource efficient economy Carbon Trust see
what carbon reduction can do for your
business we help business profit from carbon
reduction Public Sector NHS Corporate
Citizenship
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Since 2005, SD language has evolved to match
circumstances, e.g. financial economic language
Increasing profile of Climate Change Economic
aspects have influenced language
Other language increasing used by government and
for government
Resilience (esp relating to climate change
adaptation) Well-being Long-term value for
money, Effective delivery Sustainable
solutions Healthy (environment and people)
Zero carbon homes Low-Carbon Economy Carbon
budgets Resource efficiency Growth within
environmental limits
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Language need not be a barrier for
sustainability. SD can be championed in many
languages.
Low-Carbon Carbon budgets Resource
efficiency Living within environmental
limits Equity and Justice
Sustainable Development
Resilience Well-being Value for money,
Effective delivery Sustainable
solutions Healthy (environment and people)