Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

Where are we now?
Policy context
For further information, see
the integrated sustainability
appraisal documents
11
The application of the shared UK principles of sustainable development
to the RES has been tailored to reflect the objectives of the ISF. They
inform the strategy as follows:
Living within environmental limits – mitigating and adapting to the
effects of climate change, conserving and enhancing the natural and
historic environment and reducing the region’s ecological footprint will be
critical to the sustainability of the East of England. The need to address
this principle is embedded within the goals of the strategy (see the
Underlying principles appendix) and headline regional ambitions (in the
aspirations around water usage and reducing CO 2 emissions).
Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society – the region has real
strength in the most vital factor for modern economies – the human
capital offered by our greatest asset, the East of England’s people.
However, the ambitions of the RES can only be achieved if we address
current inequalities and the region’s diverse communities are enabled to
contribute to, and share in, the benefits of economic growth. This will
require understanding and addressing the needs of the region’s changing
demography in areas such as housing, public services, education and skills
development. The contribution of each goal to this principle is summarised
in the Underlying principles appendix.
Achieving a sustainable economy – the regional economic strategy
sets out targets and priorities to achieve the stable, long-term growth and
competitiveness of the East of England.
Promoting good governance – the leadership, governance and delivery
section of this strategy sets out principles for developing regional and
sub-regional governance to better deliver sustainable economic growth.
Using sound science responsibly – the principle of using a sound
evidence base to inform policy and decision-making has been applied
throughout the strategy development process. The regional economic
strategy is accompanied by a robust evidence base, which has assessed
the viability of each of the priorities set out in the strategy.
Integrated sustainability appraisal
The regional economic strategy has benefited from an innovative
approach to sustainability appraisal. A single, integrated sustainability
appraisal (ISA) has been independently conducted and overseen by
stakeholders.
This has combined a number of assessments:
• strategic environmental assessment
• equality impact assessment
• rural proofing
• urban proofing.
The ISA included a specific examination of the strategy’s possible
impacts on health, in line with best practice. The contribution of the
strategy to the sustainable development of the East of England –
including the targets, goals and priorities – has been informed by the
findings of the ISA and stakeholder comments on its recommendations.
The ISA is available as a supporting document to the strategy and can
be found at www.eastofengland.uk.com/res