New inquiry: The Government's approach to sustainable development

• Inquiry: Government's approach to sustainable development
• Environmental Audit Committee

Promoting sustainable development – which for the purposes of this inquiry includes protecting the environment, supporting the low carbon economy and improving wellbeing – could be worth billions of pounds to the UK economy. In 2013, the low carbon economy generated over £120 billion in turnover. The 2015-20 period will be crucial for ensuring the Government continues to promote sustainable development, with many key policies coming to an end and due for renewal or replacement.

The Committee will be exploring what impact the new Government's fiscal and legislative agenda will have on sustainable development. It will be looking to establish themes for its work during the Parliament and measures against which the Government's success can be judged. The evidence received for this inquiry will feed into the Committees work over the course of this Parliament.

We invite responses on some, or all, of the following questions: 

• What key policies are needed over the course of this Parliament to adequately protect the environment, promote growth in the low carbon sector and improve wellbeing?
• Does the Government's current fiscal and legislative agenda accord with the action required and, if not, why not and where might it be improved? 
• Where should responsibility lie in Government for ensuring the sustainable development approach is adopted by all Government departments?
• What metrics could the Committee use to monitor the Government's performance on sustainable development over the course of the Parliament? 

The deadline for submissions is 2 September 2015. The word limit is 1,500 words. Written submissions can be sent via the inquiry page.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select Committees
• Visiting Parliament: watch Committees

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