As government

Three policy priorities

From our experience and research we believe that if the following policies were put into practice around the world we'd be well on our way to one planet living:

1. Invest in low carbon industry
As citizens and consumers we can’t achieve one planet living alone, we need bioregional economies to provide the low carbon goods and services that will help us maintain a high quality of life without a high carbon footprint. Governments can make the Green New Deal a reality by investing in land and infrastructure for low carbon industries like ReIY stores, local paper loop recycling and sustainable biomass.

Solution: create jobs and in low carbon industries through green public procurement and strategic investment. In our recent briefing paper – throwing away jobs – we show how the UK could promote re-use and re-manufacturing.

2. Plan for One Planet Communities
Governments typically separate out policies for housing, land zoning, community planning, transport, food and wellbeing. BioRegional’s One Planet Communities show how holistic plans that address all environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability can have a far greater impact. Getting the one planet living principles into the DNA of our communities – from laying streets out for pedestrians not cars, to putting green spaces for leisure and food growing at the heart of communities – makes it easier for people to lead a high quality of life with a lower ecological footprint.

Solution: ensure relevant government policies encourage all relevant professionals take the approach outlined in our definitive report – What makes an eco town?

 
3. Budget for zero carbon
From national climate change policy to local zero carbon refurbishment strategies, all levels of government can play a part in decarbonising their economies. All nations should adopt carbon budgets similar to the UK, with annual targets that correspond with the latest science from the IPCC according to the principles of contraction and convergence. Local governments can develop zero carbon strategies for their local area, integrating plans for new buildings with zero carbon refurbishment of existing homes, offices, factories and more.

Solution: adopt a tough carbon budget, and begin by developing a zero carbon buildings strategy along the lines proposed for Hackbridge as part of One Planet Sutton.

How we can help you

BioRegional have been working with local and national governments since 1994. We are keen to use our experience to help guide sustainability policy. Some of the ways that we can work together are described below. However if you would like to discuss something outside of these suggestions please do get in touch.

Research
Since 1992, we have undertaken and published research on many aspects of sustainable living from communities and food to paper production and forestry. We recently published "What makes an eco-town?" with Cabe.
Publications catalogue.

Training
BioRegional offers sustainability training based on our practical experience in the field.  We have provided training since 2003 including running a two-day workshop for Defra (UK) to explore what it would mean to become a truly sustainable in its operations.
Find out more.

Consultancy
Our award-winning team offers a wealth of experience to help governments deliver innovative, practical, people focused and cost-effective sustainability solutions that achieve results. We have completed several projects for WRAP and Defra.
Find out more.

Visit the BedZED eco-village
There's nothing like seeing to believe what's possible. The BedZED eco-village in south London is an inspiring real-life sustainable community. BioRegional are development partners and we have our offices here. We run guided tours and training from here.
Find out more.
 

Our policy record

Our role as a partner in Peabody’s BedZED eco-village and the subsequent monitoring that we have carried out has helped to drive the UK government’s legislation for all new homes to be built to zero carbon standards by 2016.

We are working in partnership with London Borough of Sutton and Middlesbrough to create the UK’s first One Planet Regions. This project uses the One Planet principles as a framework and will address retrofitting homes for reduced and renewable energy use and will also look at building new sustainable homes in the borough.

We have welcomed many government visitors to BedZED over the past seven years including David Cameron PM, former Environment Minister Elliot Morley and former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy. We have also welcomed government delegations from Sweden, China, USA, France, Australia and more.

The UN Earth Summit which is to take place Rio in May 2012 is set to be a major opportunity to get the world talking and acting on sustainability. Since 2009 BioRegional has been bringing the one planet living message to UN meetings that will shape The Summit. Find out more about our Rio+20 campaign. 

UK advisory roles
Our CEO and co-founder, Sue Riddlestone, is a member of the London Sustainable Development Commission and sat on the UK Government’s eco-towns challenge panel. Sue also helped to write the London 2012 Olympic bid – and subsequent sustainability strategy “One Planet Olympics”.

Our Co-founder, Pooran Desai, has sat on Defra's Advisory Committee on Consumer Products and the Environment.

Following Sue’s appointment to the eco-towns challenge panel, we co-wrote the “What makes and eco-town?” guidance with Cabe in 2008. We have since advised the Government on their planning policies for eco-towns.

BioRegional has advised governments and civil society organisations in numerous other policy areas, based on our expertise grounded in practical examples.