11Ecologically sustainable development

11 Ecologically sustainable development

11 Ecologically sustainable development

(1) In this plan, ecologically sustainable development means development that improves the quality of life, both now and in the future, in a way that maintains the ecological processes on which life depends.

(2) This plan acknowledges the following principles and practices of ecologically sustainable development—

(a) Integration—the effective integration of environmental, social and economic considerations in decision-making.

(b) Community involvement—recognition that sustainability cannot be achieved, nor significant progress made toward it, without the support and involvement of the community.

(c) Precautionary behaviour—where there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation. In the application of the precautionary principle, public and private decisions should be guided by—

(i) careful evaluation to avoid, wherever practicable, serious or irreversible damage to the environment, and

(ii) an assessment of the risk weighted consequences of various options, with particular consideration given to cumulative impacts and ensuring that previous environmental damage is not compounded.

(d) Equity within and between generations—fairness and equal access to opportunities both in our lifetimes, as well as for future generations.

(e) Continual improvement—the declining environmental situation means there is an imperative to take immediate action to ensure development becomes more sustainable and to make continual improvement in the management of that development.

(f) Conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity—the protection of biological diversity and the maintenance of essential ecological processes and life-support systems should be a fundamental consideration.

(g) Improved valuation and pricing of environmental resources—environmental factors should be included in the valuation of assets and services.