http://www.ukceed.org/downloads/files/81-MakingSustainabilityReal.pdf

A report of a study carried out by UK CEED (Centre for Economic and Environmental Development), with funding from BT, aimed to identify how sustainable development has been addressed in the development of regional economic policies and strategies by the devolved administrations of Scotland and Wales and by the Regional Development Agencies of England. It also sought to highlight examples of good practice which could be built upon. The study included:

• an analysis of the regional economic development strategies of the nine English regions and the devolved administrations of Scotland and Wales;
• identification of sustainable development themes and policies and, where available examples of policy delivery;
• reference to the wider regional policy agenda, including sustainable development strategies and regional spatial strategies;
• identification of common practice and good practice in the development and delivery of policy; and
• consideration of recommendations for regional policy makers.

   

The report calls for a more “joined-up” approach between the UK’s regions and countries. It also recommends better sharing of best practice and calls for more crossing of regional boundaries by successful initiatives. Despite the growing importance of sustainable development in national politics, it found there is little consistency in the way it is addressed. It says communication between regions could be improved by initiatives such as an online directory of sustainable development case studies, policies and practices, and an annual UK-wide conference or roundtable.

The study concludes that although there remains some uncertainty about the way in which future regional policy will be implemented in England because of the current Sub- National Review (SNR), and that it is vital that sustainable development becomes a more central feature of future economic strategies both in England and in the devolved administrations. It adds that the SNR’s draft recommendation of the replacement of both Regional Economic and Spatial Strategies in England with a single, integrated regional strategy can only help to provide further clarity in the development of regional policy. It believes that this provides a unique opportunity for the regional agencies and authorities across England (and it also hoped at the level of devolved administration) to develop and deliver sustainable development more consistently at the national, regional and local level.