"We are living beyond our means and there is no room for complacency when it comes to ensuring the region develops in a sustainable way," said Richard Powell, Chair of Sustainability East and RSPB Regional Director.
"This region faces real challenges linked to climate change and economic and population growth. The real losers in any un-sustainable situation are always people and wildlife; be it in poorly designed houses, flood defence, fuel poverty, inequality, and loss and destruction of wildlife habitats.
The plan identifies the key threats to the long term sustainability of the region and proposes how they can be tackled. The region is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and its potential impact on coastal communities, water management, food production and biodiversity. Inequality and social exclusion are also highlighted as areas for concern.
"With this plan we have a real opportunity to make a difference and take personal responsibility for our actions. Our children should not have to clear up and make do. Changing today will help tomorrow."
Barbara Follett, Minister for the East of England, helped launch the plan at an event in Letchworth which was chaired by Barbara Young, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency. Other speakers included fifteen year old Youth Climate Change Champion, Adam Dyster, who spoke of his vision for getting future generations involved in the fight against climate change.
Adam said: "I am passionate about raising awareness amongst both my peers and future generations about the impact our actions have on the environment we live in. We have to look after our wildlife and outdoor spaces and encourage others to do the same."
Sustainability East aims to deliver a long term sustainability strategy for the East of England. By providing advice and advocacy to regional bodies, policy makers and opinion formers, Sustainability East aims to further promote the region as a leader of sustainable development and to provide a high quality of life and environment for everyone, now and in the future. It will do this by:
- Helping to put sustainable development at the heart of all decision making
- Challenging and informing current assumptions to create the right growth in the right way
- Promoting the effective management of resources
- Championing the rights of all communities to have a voice in their sustainable future.
In the past year Sustainability East has used a grant from Defra to fund a number of initiatives designed to help businesses and organisations operate in a more sustainable way. These include developing a carbon modelling framework for CO2 emissions which provides local authorities with a baseline for their individual targets and helps them develop climate change action plans, and a project with the construction industry to promote more effective construction techniques that will meet the challenges of climate change.
To coincide with the launch of the plan, Sustainability East has a new look brand and website which can be seen at www.sustainabilityeast.org.uk which gives further information on the work of Sustainability East and the projects it is involved in.
