Legislating for Sustainable Development - The Problems and the Successes

One of the most modern pieces of enivronmental legislation - the United Kingdom 1995 Environmental Act - contains a number of interesting aspects including the need for an integrated approach to environmental management, a requirement for simplification and clarity for industry and the principal aim of achieving sustainable development.

Sustainable development can operate at many different levels. It could generate changes at the global level for the UK government as a whole and for the UK population at the local level, ranging from a realignment of world trade to individuals initiating neigbourhood recycling activities.

This is to some extent a "hearts and minds" issue. Legislation enforcing sustainability has its problems as there is always a temptation for industries and individuals to resist the increase in costs which is often seen as an inevitable consequence.