Creating a sustainable York?

Our city aims to develop and thrive as a sustainable city. This means developing in a way that is sustainable and meets the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations from meeting their needs.

It also means that decisions are taken with proper regard to their environmental, social and economic impact. It is about being able to live within our means and use resources efficiently and ultimately use less of them.

In practice it means creating places where people want to live and work now and in the future.

We aim to be a sustainable city that:

• understands the likely impacts associated to climate change and is preparing to adapt and build resilience across communities, businesses and vital infrastructure in York;
• changes the way we live and work in York to have a positive effect on the built and natural environment by promoting and embedding low carbon lifestyles;
• generates more of the its energy needs from low carbon forms of energy;
• has well insulated, energy efficient homes and buildings;  
• tackles climate change and is reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 40% by 2020 and 80% by 2050;
• has a low carbon economy;
• enables everyone in York to enjoy, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for the benefit of present and future generations;
• has low emissions;
• has a  zero waste ambition and low levels of waste production and high levels of recycling and waste minimisation;
• supports measures to reduce the risk of flooding in York ( and in light of future likely changes in climate); and
• builds on York’s established role as a strategic transport hub by developing sustainable means of travelling to, from and within York that meets the needs of residents, visitors and the economy.

You can find out more information about how we will create a sustainable York on the Without Walls website.  

You can also help to create a sustainable York. Download a copy of the ‘Creating a Sustainable York' leaflet today. 

The guide offers useful tips on how to:

• save energy, money and improve your home;
• take smarter travel choices;
• re-use and recycle;
• compost and grow you own food; and
• create a sustainable business.

Printed copies are also available by telephoning (01904) 551550.

You can also find more information about sustainable development and creating sustainable communities on the UK Government website for sustainable development.