Sustainable Development and UK Faith Groups

A survey of UK faith communities' sustainable development activities and next steps for the future.

Sustainable development and the UK faith groups (595 KB)

Published jointly by WWF and the SDC, this report highlights UK faith communities' activities across all aspects of sustainable development, through longer case studies and shorter summaries. It outlines priority areas for action, and a series of next steps for faith leaders and communities, sustainable development policy makers and practitioners, and the WWF and the SDC. All are intended to foster greater understanding and joint action. The role of faith groups as agents of change is an important one and the contribution from faith-based initiatives requires deeper recognition at the policy-making level.

About the partners:
WWF takes action to conserve endangered species, protect endangered spaces and address global threats to the planet by seeking sustainable solutions for the benefit of people and nature.

The Sustainable Development Commission is the government's independent advisory body on sustainable development. It reports directly to Prime Minister, Tony Blair and the leaders of the Devolved Administrations. It has 20 members drawn from the private and public sectors, local and regional government, and academia. For more information about the SDC visit: www.sd-commission.org.uk.

Acknowledgements:
WWF and the SDC are grateful to Jan McHarry and Chris Church of Community Environment Associates (CEA) for their research into faith communities and sustainable development, conducted through desk research, interviews and events, a survey, and an online electronic discussion forum. This paper builds upon their initial research findings.

CEA is a small group of expert consultants and practitioners in the field of local sustainable development commissioned by WWF and the SDC.