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Preface by Professor Sir Richard Southwood (Co-chairman)

I am delighted to present the Round Table's second annual report. This includes the conclusions of the work that the Round Table has undertaken during the past year, as well as reviewing what has happened on the reports that the Round Table has already published.

The search for sustainable development has reached a critical stage. Although the full implications of the phrase itself are still not widely understood, there is increasing recognition of the need to ensure that development now does not involve sacrificing the future - in John Gummer's words "not cheating on our children". It is easy to see some of the ways we can achieve that - for example, through improved energy efficiency and increased recycling. But other sustainable development issues are more difficult. How are we to provide the new houses that will be needed over the next twenty years without destroying large swathes of countryside? And how can we provide access to the goods and services which people want, and on which our prosperity as a trading nation depends, without ever-increasing volumes of traffic?

The Round Table has concentrated particularly on dilemmas such as these, and seeking consensus on ways of resolving them. The general principle must always be to integrate the economic, environmental and social elements of decision-taking. This will require new ways of looking at issues - not just by central Government, although that is essential, but by local authorities, businesses and all other organisations.

Round Table members are busy people with many responsibilities. I am very grateful to them for the time and energy they have given over the last year, and also to the many people who have been members of subgroups and helped the Round Table in other ways.

The Government has recently announced that the Round Table will continue for a further two years. That will, I am sure, enable us to build on our achievements so far.

This report is addressed to Government and to other organisations and all with an interest in, or a responsibility for, the issues it raises. The Government has undertaken to respond formally to all the Round Table's recommendations; its responses are published and drawn to the attention of Parliament. The Round Table also welcomes comments from others. These should be sent to

The UK Round Table on Sustainable Development
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