About us
Who we are
The Sustainable Development Commission is the Government's independent watchdog on sustainable development, reporting to the Prime Minister, the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales and the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. Through advocacy, advice and appraisal, we help put sustainable development at the heart of Government policy.
» Sustainable Development Principles
» More on sustainable development
» SDC in Scotland
» SDC in Wales
» SDC in N Ireland
What we do
• Produce evidence-based public reports on contentious environmental, social and economic issues, such as nuclear power
• Draw on expert opinion to advise key Ministers, policy-makers and stakeholders across Government
• Respond openly to Government policy initiatives
• Invite debates on controversial subjects
• Undertake watchdog appraisals of Government's progress
» More on our work
» Our reports
» Annual Review 2006-2007
Our policy areas
Our work is divided into ten policy areas: climate change, consumption, economics, education, energy, engagement, health, housing, regional & local government and transport. Each policy area is led by a steering group of Commissioners and SDC staff.
Commissioners decide on which projects will be undertaken in each policy area, taking into account: knowledge gaps in Government, new policy initiatives, contentious issues and technological innovations.
Our structure
We are led by a board of 18 Commissioners, from a mix of academic, scientific, business and NGO backgrounds, chaired by Jonathon Porritt, and supported by 46 policy staff, directed by Andrew Lee.
We were founded in October 2000, and in 2006 expanded to take on a watchdog role.
» Commissioners' biographies
» More on the SDC watchdog role
» History of the SDC
Our funding
We receive funding from several sources, which have included: the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly Government, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, WWF-UK, Office of the First Minister and the deputy First Minister (OFMdFM) (Northern Ireland), Department for Communities and Local Government, Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Health.
- Change text size
