Download Language of sustainability: UK Government

Language of sustainability:
UK Government
Will Ashley-Cantello
Sustainable Development Programme, Defra
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
>> Sustainable Development
Programme
www.defra.gov.uk/sustainable
From that the sustainable development principles
articulated our view of sustainable development
The strategy outlined a UK vision for sustainable
development that used a lot of familiar language
The strategy also created a model for how our
audience engagement can be most effective
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
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
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
Zero carbon homes
Resilience
(esp relating to climate change adaptation)
Low-Carbon Economy
Well-being
Carbon budgets
Long-term value for money, Effective
delivery
Resource efficiency
Sustainable solutions
Growth within environmental limits
Healthy (environment and people)
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
Resilience
Well-being
Value for money, Effective delivery
Sustainable solutions
Healthy (environment and people)
Sustainable
Development