Help for Councils

A Statutory Duty for Sustainable Development to ensure that public authorities act in a manner that best contributes to the objectives of sustainable development came into effect on 31 March 2007.

On 9 May 2006 the Secretary of State Peter Hain launched the Northern Ireland Sustainable Development Strategy. This document established a framework and focus for tackling the challenges that lie ahead if Northern Ireland is going to effectively embrace sustainable development. The Statutory Duty sends a stong message to public bodies about the need to encourage sustainable development in order to tackle the six priority areas (as highlighted by the Strategy) and to make the strategy's objectives a reality throughout Northern Ireland.

Sustainable Northern Ireland has produced a series of implementation manuals to help local authorities adopt and implement sustainable development principles and processes. These manuals provide advice to local authorities on how their current work contributes towards sustainable development as well as providing guidance on suitable actions that are needed to fully integrate it throughout all their functions and policies. They also share examples of best practice by showcasing what councils in Northern Ireland are already doing.

All three manuals can be downloaded below.