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, which we developed out of our work on the BedZED eco-village.

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:

Enabling access to energy, making buildings more energy efficient and delivering all energy with renewable technologies.

Reducing waste, reusing where possible, creating products & employment through recycling and ultimately sending zero waste to landfill.

Encouraging low carbon modes of transport and public transport, reducing the need to travel, ensuring a good range of local facilities within walking and cycling distance. 

Using sustainable and healthy products, such as those with low embodied energy, sourced locally, made from renewable or waste resources.

Sustainable and humane agriculture and farming, access to nutritious low impact, local, seasonal and organic diets and reducing food waste.

Access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Using water more efficiently in farming, buildings and in the products we buy. Designing to avoid local flooding and water course pollution.

Protecting and restoring existing biodiversity and natural habitats through appropriate land use and integration into the built environment.

Respecting and reviving local identity, wisdom and culture; Access to education for all; valuing and encouraging the involvement of the community in shaping their community and their lives.

Creating strong, diverse local economies that meet peoples' needs and support fair employment and international fair trade. 

Promote good health and well being through access to healthcare. Encourage active, sociable, meaningful lives to promote good health and well being.