Environmental Management and Sustainable Development

Our environment must therefore be managed in a sustainable manner in accordance with the Executive's commitment to preserve and improve the built and natural environment and halt the loss of biodiversity. This requires an integrated approach to the management of the natural and cultural aspects of the landscape. Whilst all of us share a collective responsibility in this regard the planning system plays an important role in conserving, protecting and enhancing the environment whilst ensuring it remains responsive and adaptive to the everyday needs of society. This is a key aspect of the wider objective of furthering sustainable development which planning authorities should take into account in the preparation of LDPs and carrying out of their development management functions.