Sustainable development and our responsibilities

Date: 12 October 2008
Author: kenhieonly
Last updated: 12/02/2008 10:40:13
Page Reference: ###currentlocid###

Sustainable development is central to HIE ’s vision of progress and legacy in the area. Yet for this to be effective, we need a broad definition that captures all elements of sustainable development. Sustainable development is not just about environmental issues. It is just as relevant to establishing prosperity, wellbeing and a quality of life in the Highlands and Islands.

To help HIE deliver this we need;

A sustainable economy which is diverse, adaptable and resilient;
Sustainable businesses with well-developed skills and markets;
Sustainable communities with confidence, capability and economic vitality;
Sustainable use of natural resources, including the area’s primary products, its natural environment and its cultural assets.

Combined, these will create a sustainable legacy for future generations in the Highlands and Islands. However, the task for the Highlands and Islands is to turn the challenges of sustainable development into opportunities. We will be able to do this by playing to and developing the area’s natural, cultural and community strengths – as a place to live, work and do business.

As the development body for the Highlands and Islands, HIE has a key role to play in ensuring that business and communities are at the leading edge of responding to these challenges. We will do this by:

Encouraging debate about sustainable development and what it means for the Highlands and Islands;
Progressively taking more account of environmental requirements in its core functions of social and economic development;
Promoting an integrated approach to all three sectors in its own work and with its partners, including local authorities and the voluntary sector across the Highlands and Islands.

The following links demonstrate the range of sustainable development and environmental resource activity that HIE is engaged with.

Key links

Sustainable construction policy and plan A policy and plan for all of its new buildings has been adopted by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.UHIpolicyweb round-table 9 November 2007 The economic and social impacts of, and responses to, climate change in the Highlands and Islands. This event will consist of a seminar and an international round table on the 9th of November 2007, hosted by HIE at Cowan House, Inverness.Sustainable construction HIE Sustainable Construction conference, Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, 9 May 2007. HIE held this conference to raise awareness of environmental and sustainable building construction specifications and methods among not just HIE’s procurement framework supply partners, but also the area’s wider construction sector.Network 21 - a practical guide to sustainable building This guide provides an overview for community groups that wish to incorporate sustainability practice within their plans for a new or renovated community building.Towards a successful and sustainable Highlands and Islands 2025 - seminar series At the start of the 21st century, countries across the world have to face the global challenges of unsustainable development where our current lifestyles will generate significant consequences for our children and children’s children. This is no longer a threat, it is happening right now. This series of important lectures will look at some of these challenges and attempt to seek answers to them.Strategic environmental assessment The environment of the Highlands and Islands is a vital resource for the area’s residents and businesses. It also contains wildlife and scenery that are recognised throughout the world. During 2006/07 HIE is undertook its first Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). This work will help ensure the environmental consequences of our activity are identified and assessed during its annual planning process. The SEA will also help identify what we can do to reduce negative impacts.Sustainability - our ten-point plan HIE's ten-point sustainability plan and recent examples of it being put into practice.

Scottish Government Economic Strategy The Scottish Government unveiled its new national economic strategy which will guide HIE's activities over the coming years.Network 21 - a practical guide to sustainable building This guide provides an overview for community groups that wish to incorporate sustainability practice within their plans for a new or renovated community building.

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