The UK's shared framework for sustainable development was launched in Edinburgh on Monday 7th March.  The framework has been agreed by Scotland's devolved government, the Welsh assembly government, the Northern Ireland administration and the UK government.  It will be supported by separate strategies for each administration, based on a set of five common principles.

The 5 principles are:

• Living within environmental limits
• Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society
• Achieving a sustainable economy
• Promoting good governance
• Using sound science responsibly

Speaking at a conference hosted by the Sustainable Development Commission Scotland, First Minister Jack McConnell said:

"For the past three centuries, too many people simply didn't recognise that the world's resources are not limitless. They didn't look to the future, and didn't concern themselves with the impact their actions might have on the future of our planet.  But while my generation are more aware of environmental impact, we still consume too much and waste too much, and too often many decisions makers take short term decisions rather than the right action for the long term.  I am pleased to be launching the new UK Framework for Sustainable Development at this time. It represents a new level of commitment for all four parts of the United Kingdom - the devolved governments of Scotland and Wales, the UK government and the Northern Ireland administration.  Our challenge is to make economic growth sustainable, to break the link with environmental damage and change the way we lead our lives so we leave a better legacy for those who come after us."

Scotland's sustainable development strategy will be published in the autumn. It will focus on six areas in particular:

• Sustainable consumption and production
• Climate change and energy
• Protecting and enhancing our natural resources
• Creating sustainable communities
• Encouraging people to live differently
• The best ways to deliver and track lasting change.

Environment minister Ross Finnie said:

"The challenge that sustainable development sets for us is to live within environmental limits. We all share a common future since we share a single planet. Our task is to ensure that it is a secure future for all.  The development of a Scottish strategy on sustainable development will require a new degree of co-operation between government, business, NGOs and the public.  We need to develop a shared understanding of what needs to happen in Scotland to create a sustainable future, and what we each must do to make it happen. That is the work that we will lead over the coming months."

For more information:

• Scottish Executive Press Release
• UK Sustainable Development Unit
• Scottish Executive: Sustainable Development