"Securing the Future", the latest UK Sustainable Development Strategy, sees 5 key elements to achieving this:

• Living within environmental limits,

• Ensuring a strong, healthy & just society,

• Achieving a sustainable economy,

• Using sound science responsibly,

• and Promoting good governance.

Staffordshire County Council tries to support these aims through its Sustainable Community Strategy and other core policies.

Key areas where we can influence sustainability include:

Climate Change - minimising our own impacts and providing information and advice to help others to do the same;

Minerals and Waste Planning - assessing planning applications for quarries and waste disposal facilities, as well as using Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal to make sure that the strategic plans we produce strike the best balance between the needs of industry, society and the environment;

Local Transport Planning - working to provide the infrastructure to support our transport needs, and encouraging sustainable transport options;

Promoting "Green Businesses" - working through the Staffordshire Business and Environment Network to share good practice and show that caring about the environment makes good business sense.

Exploring opportunities to support the development of sustainable communities through urban renewal projects in north Staffordshire;

Commenting on sustainability aspects of planning applications.