What is sustainability?
The definition most commonly used when defining sustainability is: "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." as stated by the Brundtland Commission in 1987. The Town of Halton Hills supports this definition of sustainability and views sustainability through four pillars: cultural vibrancy, economic prosperity, environmental health, and social well-being.
Incorporating the four pillars of sustainability into corporate and community initiatives will advance our sustainability journey. Similar to legs on a chair each pillar is important yet they are inter-connected. The pillars and their focuses are:
- Cultural vibrancy
- Including sports, recreation, arts, culture and heritage.
- Environmental health
- Including protecting and supporting healthy natural systems, water and energy efficiency and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
- Economic prosperity
- Including a community that is based on a green, diversified and resilient economy, and the strengthening of the existing industrial base.
- Social well-being
- Including a healthy and safe community based on an ethic of caring and social equity.
Community Sustainability Strategy
Community Sustainability Strategy information |
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The Community Sustainability Strategy or otherwise known as ‘Imagine Halton Hills' is a long term strategy that acts as a blueprint to integrate sustainability into its day-to-day decision making, plans, policies and other initiatives. Imagine Halton Hills centres on a community vision to the year 2060. It envisions Halton Hills with a high quality of life through a long-term community vision which reads: "In 2060, the urban and rural communities of Halton Hills balance economic prosperity with a deep commitment to the natural environment, while retaining viable local agriculture and small-town feel, and being socially equitable, culturally vibrant and strongly connected." This community vision is supported by individual visions for the four "pillars" which are key to high quality of life: Cultural Vibrancy, Economic Prosperity, Environmental Health and Social Well-being. Each of these pillars is equally important and includes several focus areas, goals and indicators. |