|
What is Sustainable Development?
"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future, 1987
Sustainable Development has come to be seen as development that encompasses three fundamental components: the economy, society and the environment. By successfully addressing all three, socio-economic development can be achieved without damaging the prospects for future generations.
The railways' role in Sustainable Development
Railways have always played a significant role in Sustainable Development (even before it was defined in its present terms). Rail is one of the most environmentally friendly forms of powered transport and most efficient movers of people and goods. The railways also provide numerous wider benefits in terms of mobility, social inclusion and employment. However, recent developments have highlighted the importance of ensuring that the railways continue to form an integral part of the national Sustainable Development effort. Greater awareness of the social and environmental impacts of transport, alongside legislation aimed at improving the environment, requires the industry to rise to this challenge.
This section is aimed at providing both an overview of current industry work on Sustainable Development and a resource for industry professionals in the field. The Railway Forum will publish documentation on a variety of Sustainable Development issues here.
For further links to Sustainable Development sites click here.
For details of industry Sustainable Development contacts, login and search our Directory.
Sustainable Development Publications
|
Some of the documents on this page are PDF files, and require Adobe Acrobat® Reader® to be installed on your browser to view them.
|
|
|
