What is One Planet Living?

One Planet Living

One Planet Living is a positive vision of a world in which we are living happy, healthy lives, within the natural limits of the planet - wherever we live in the world - and we have left sufficient space for wildlife and wilderness. Real life examples show that this is possible.

Globally we’re consuming resources and polluting the planet at a level forty per cent higher than the earth can renew or absorb.

Ecological footprinting shows that if everyone in the world consumed as many natural resources as the average person in western Europe, we’d need three planets to support us. If everyone consumed as much as the average North American, we would need five planets. In China and South Africa the overall average is one planet, but this disguises considerable variations between different regions and lifestyles. Carbon emissions account for around fifty per cent of our global eco-footprint.

One Planet Living is our vision of a sustainable world, in which people everywhere can enjoy a high quality of life within the productive capacity of the planet. It uses ten principles of sustainability as a framework.

The One Planet Living approach and ten principles framework is a simple way to plan, deliver, communicate and mainstream sustainable development and the green economy.

The 10 principles

The ten principles of one planet living are a framework to help us enjoy a high quality of life within a fair share of the earth's resources:

Making buildings more energy efficient and delivering all energy with renewable technologies.

Reducing waste arisings, reusing where possible, and ultimately sending zero waste to landfill.

Encouraging low carbon modes of transport to reduce emissions, reducing the need to travel.

Using sustainable products that have a low embodied energy.

Choosing low impact, local, seasonal and organic diets and reducing food waste.

Using water more efficiently in buildings and in the products we buy; tackling local flooding and water course pollution.

Protecting and expanding old habitats and creating new space for wildlife.

Reviving local identity and wisdom; support for, and participation in, the arts.

Inclusive, empowering workplaces with equitable pay; support for local communities and fair trade.

Encouraging active, sociable, meaningful lives to promote good health and well being.