Content of Online and Document Store Files
The Files
There are two versions available of most Sustainability Links’ files.
The website pages are shortened versions of the pdf files. The
pdf files can be emailed to you free on request from Links’ Document
Store.
Simply click on the URL or Links’ email address to access the version you prefer.
To access the Document Store using our email link, click on our email address, insert the words Send Files under Subject then list the name of the files you’d like.
Front Pages
00.0 Home Page
The website’s Home Page includes sections on:
• Recent site updates
• Favourite features
• Messages of support
• How Sustainability Links’ information service works
Online version:
Document Store version:
Not available, but see What’s New below.
00.1 Website Contents
This Contents page includes hyperlinks to the website pages and access to Sustainability Links’ Document Store.
Online version:
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
00.2 What’s New
The What’s New file is an extended version of the website’s Home Page.
Online version:
Not available, but see the Home Page.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
“Effective execution of Agenda 21 will require a profound reorientation of all human society, unlike anything the world has ever experienced – a major shift in the priorities of governments and individuals and an unprecedented redeployment of human and financial resources.
This shift will demand that a concern for the environmental consequences of every human action be integrated into individual and collective decision-making at every level.”
United Nations Agenda 21, 1992.
National S&P Work
01 Background
01.1 A History of Action
The file notes some of the key international and UK initiatives to address our unsustainable lifestyle, following the United Nations’ Earth Summits:
International Initiatives
• Early Initiatives: Stockholm Conference 1972. Progress for a Small Planet. Brundtland Report.
• Earth Summit 1992: Agenda 21. Agenda 21’s Chapter 27. Rio Declaration. Earth Charter. NGO Alternative Treaties.
• ES2 1997
• WSSD 2002: Hopes. Johannesburg Declaration. Key Outcomes. Plan of Implementation.
• Climate Change: Kyoto Protocol. IPCC Assessment Reports
• Other Key Documents: Major International Agreements. Livestock's Long Shadow. Strengthening the Role of NGOs: Partners for Sustainable Development. Sustainability Policy Implementation: a Global Perspective.
National Initiatives
• Earth Summit, 1992: LA21 and other UK Follow-Up Action.
• ES2, 1997: Britain's LA21 Review. A Blueprint for Global Community Participation. ES2: Information Flow.
• WSSD, 2002: Local Council Action since WSSD. Bibliography. Government publications and other source material.
Online version:
Online the information is divided between two files:
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
01.2 Bibliography
A list of source materials used in the construction of this site.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
02 Information Sources
02.1 Helpful Books
This file contains information about the books that are essential reading if you’re involved in any of your area’s LSP / SCS or other participation processes.
The titles are grouped into the topic and action themes identified by many Sustainable Community Strategies.
Online version:
Recent additions to the Helpful Books file.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
02.2 Helpful Magazines
There are countless periodicals that provide up-to-date news about a wide range of S&P concerns – and these really should be being used to inform locality working processes.
Online version:
Recent changes regarding available magazines.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
Be informed
Does your LSP theme group ensure that its members subscribe to relevant titles? Take out your subs today.
02.3 The Media
This file is being developed to track the ways tv, radio film, theatre, novels, poetry and music are tackling unsustainability concerns – and the measures being taken to address them.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
03 Directories
Overlooked – or excluded?
Some of the national VCOs listed will simply not be represented in local Strategy and Partnership related work – even though many will have members and supporters living locally, if not active local contacts or groups.
Perhaps VCS representatives already involved in LSP and locality working should be more actively encouraging and supporting input from these colleagues?
03.1 Helpful Addresses – VCOs
The VCOs contact file gathers details about those third sector organisations working on sustainability and / or participation concerns.
Online version:
Recent changes
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
03.02 Helpful Websites
The Helpful Websites file enables visitors to find out more about some of the projects, organisations and businesses involved in S&P.
Such a listing could never be complete, but the addresses included here do serve to indicate the range of both high profile concerns and below radar activities.
Online version:
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
03.3 Government Organisations
This is an ongoing compilation of helpful government and public sector organisations.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
03.4 Letter to the Editors
This document gathers together the addresses of national dailies and mainstream magazines to enable sustainability concerns to be raised in their letters pages.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
04 S&P Work
Network for sustainability
Please could you send Links copies of any sustainability-related practices, policy and resolutions for consideration by other organisations.
Overlooked – or excluded?
Are sustainability groups being actively excluded from local processes? Or simply marginalised? See what you think when you use the Comprehensive Community Engagement Strategy (CCES) guidelines.
04.1 How to Participate
A guide to the many different opportunities for participation in local decision making processes:
A to Z of Participation Opportunities (this includes briefings on local empowerment law and guidelines including the Sustainable Communities Act, Unlocking the Talent in our Communities, Communities in Control and CCES). Participation – Who’s Leading? Participation Levels. Lead Organisations. Benefits and Disadvantages of Participation. Council and LSP Website Searches. Six Key Questions
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
04.2 Best Practice and Policy Making
The Best Practice and Policy Making feature is being developed to show what sustainability concerns are being addressed through local participation processes – it brings together various best practice and policy making initiatives. It includes an LSP version of the Nottingham Declaration, a sustainability mission statement, a model Fairtrade Area Status motion, Somerset County Council's resolution to become a Transition local authority and guidelines published by Herefordshire's Third Sector Assembly.
The aim of this feature is to aid locality working through the provision of best practice examples to inspire other LSPs, Councils, Citizen Panels, Third Sector Assemblies, VCOs et al.
This webpage focuses on a ticklist of criteria SCSs would develop if they stopped treating their sustainability related responsibilities as an option.
Locality Working is a more recent name for participation. Learn how local government and empowerment legislation is facilitating greater community input into local democratic processes.
While Locality Working recognises that some communities are under represented – women, young people, ethnic minorities – it fails to even acknowledge the marginalisation (or calculated exclusion) of all those working on sustainability issues. This feature provides the tools for us to redress the balance.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 are among recent developments that give communities the opportunity to become informed and involved in local decision making. The files include advice on making information requests, dummy letters and website addresses giving further guidance. There's also a blank Participation Log page to help you keep track of the approaches you make.
The approach is taken forward the Participation Log in the site’s Case Study Section – see below.
Online version:
In preparation.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
04.3 Model Sustainable Community Strategy
Although inspired by Agenda 21, Sustainable Community Strategies treat our global unsustainability as the elephant in the community. How would these Strategies look if they addressed our predicament, as originally intended?
Online version:
Model Sustainabal Communities Strategy
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
04.4 Helpful Lobbying Tools
A collection of dummy letters & useful print outs to aid local work on S&P:
• Participation – print out copies of this page and keep a record of your own participation in local processes.
• Networking – network with others trying to promote sustainability concerns through locality working.
• Supporter Registration – as a supporter gain additional help from Sustainability Links
• Your Feedback – what do you think about Sustainability Links?
Online version:
The online version is currently being prepared.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
05 Visitors Forum
05.1 Keynote Themes
A collection of articles considering the key issues in drawing together sustainability and participation work, including:
• Is Community Empowerment Leaving Community Groups Behind?
• Why Does Our Third Sector Have its Head in the Sand?
• Matching Up Funding Availabilities and S&P Work.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
05.2 Articles
Campaign for Honest Money. Ethical Consumerism. Community Empowerment, Community Voices. Locality Working and the Sustainability Imperative. Unsustainable World, Untenable Politics. Will Double Devolution Empower Communities? The Credit Crunch, Sustainability and Participation. Democracy and the English Regions
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
In preparation
05.3 Debate
The document brings together visitors’ input.
• Talking Points
• Letters
• Queries
Online version:
In preparation.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
05.4 Exhibition Area
A changing collection of images reflecting the key issues in S&P work.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
05.5 Advertising
Advertisements for products and services that may be useful in S&P work:
Credit, Climate Change & Badges. Dear Grandparents. The Freedom Formula.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
06 Topical
06.1 S&P Report
Different third sector periodicals focus on various sustainability and community work concerns. The S&P Report aims to take an overview, drawing upon the news covered in a range of these, while highlighting the importance of democratic participation in problem solving.
The quarterly updates will summarise information from a range of sources, including the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development (and associated UNEP and UNED and Stakeholder Forum); from key national players, such as Urban Forum and the New Economics Foundation; from Government founded organisations such as the Sustainability Development Commission; and from wide support base campaigns like WWF, Campaign for Better Transport, Friends of the Earth , Soil Association and Jubilee Debt Campaign.
There are five sections
• Community
• Environment
• Education
• Business and the Economy
• VCOs
Online version:
In preparation.
Sustainability & Participation Report
Document Store version:
In preparation.
Topical pages
Up to date material will shortly be available.
06.2 What’s On
The Sustainability Links What's On is a comprehensive listing that brings together details of activities being organised by national VCS organisations working on a range of sustainability and community programmes.
Online version:
In preparation.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
Network
Please help Links help you to network your events news.
Stay in touch
All these pdf files are periodically updated – stay in touch on:
www.sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
07 Appendix
07.1 Glossary
There are many technical terms used in both sustainability and community work. This file brings them together.
Online version:
The webpage gives details of new file inclusions.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
07.2 Abbreviations
This website uses many of the abbreviations common in community and environmental work. Why not download / print out the Abbreviations page for easy reference while you work?
Online version:
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
Abbreviations
S&P? UNCED? Both sustainability and community work are littered with acronyms and other abbreviations. Why not download the Abbreviations file for easy reference
07.3 About Sustainability Links
About sustainabilitylinks.org – and why you need Sustainability Links.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
Local Case Study
From top down to bottom up
This website has been developed for use nationwide - however any nationwide attempts to address our global unsustainability depend on what we're all able to do at grassroots level.
The remaining pages provide case study examples of how local campaigning, lobbying and participation work on national - and indeed global - concerns can influence decision making in your area. They’re based on the work Sustainability Links is undertaking in England’s Coventry and Warwickshire subregion.
For a brief introduction to the subregion visitors from elsewhere should see the note below.
“We are seeing a move towards what local democracy was always supposed to be about – when the community is driving things… and the local authority’s role is to facilitate that.”
Rob Hopkins, Transition Network co-founder. 2010.
Your input please
Contributions would be particularly welcome from those people already involved in Coventry or Warwickshire processes.
Coventry & Warwickshire subregion
As this site's been established for national use visitors from out of the area should know that it's served by Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council.
Within the shire there are five district councils: North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwick District Council.
Please note:
The geographical area of north Warwickshire (small n) is served by two local authorities: North Warwickshire (capital N) Borough Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council.
Stratford-ON-Avon District Council serves the Stratford-UPON-Avon area.
Warwick District Council covers an area including the towns of Leamington Spa and Kenilworth.
08 Directories
08.1 Local Participation Opportunities
How can communities of interest and, indeed, individuals become involved in Coventry & Warwickshire decision making processes?
Details are given here about the subregion’s Local Strategic Partnerships, Community Empowerment Network, Sustainable Community Strategy theme groups, Third Sector Assemblies / VCS influence, Citizens’ Panel and other participative openings, such as involvement in council meetings.
More Inclusive Decision Making – Nationwide. More Inclusive Decision Making – the seven Coventry and Warwickshire Local Authority Areas.
• Council led opportunities: Community participation in Council meetings. Influencing decision making through Locality Forums. Peoples Panels and other consultation arrangements
• Local Strategic Partnership led opportunities: LSP background details. Is LSP work transparent? Is the LSP board open to membership / do members have a representational role? What theme groups are there? Are Sustainable Community Strategies sustainable? Performance monitoring through LAAs and NIs
• Voluntary sector led opportunities: Third Sector Assembly. Local Infrastructure Organisation. VCS / Council forums.
• Community Sector led opportunities: Community Empowerment Network. Citizens Panel. Coventry and Warwickshire Contact Details. Overview.
Online version:
In preparation.
Local Participation Opportunities
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
08.2 Government-led Local S&P Initiatives
The Coventry & Warwickshire organisations to contact about sustainability and participation work.
Online version:
In preparation.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
08.3 NGO-led Local S&P Initiatives
The most comprehensive roundup of Coventry and Warwickshire organisations involved in sustainability work.
Online version:
In preparation.
Local Sustainability & Participation Initiatives
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
08.4 Local Addresses
More details about selected Coventry and Warwickshire organisations involved in sustainability work.
Online version:
In preparation.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
08.5 Local Who’s Who
More details about selected Coventry and Warwickshire people involved in sustainability work.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
08.6 Regional Bodies
Regional organisations supporting S&P work across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
09 S&P Work
09.1 Local SCS Audit
The assessments focus on Coventry and Warwickshire strategies’ twenty year Strategies’ positive proposals, ignoring their failure to consider the implications of climate change and the other aspects of the environmental, economic and social collapse that are becoming increasingly evident.
The feature will also revisit the subregion’s earlier strategies to assess whether they succeed or fail on their own terms:
Are the seven Coventry and Warwickshire Sustainable Community Strategies just a vehicle for greenwash and rhetoric? Are they merely a local public services Charter? Or do they address credible sustainability issues? Do they give baseline statistics and set outcome targets that can be subjected to measurement and scrutiny?
Online version:
In preparation.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
09.2 Participation Log 2011
A record of the sustainability concerns Links raises with Coventry and Warwickshire LSPs during the year.
Online version:
In preparation.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
Participation opportunity
Why not make an ongoing record of your own approaches and responses and see just who's doing what - and who isn't - in the age of stupid.
10 Local Visitors Forum
10.1 Local Debate
A collection of articles, letters, queries, photos and adverts considering S&P concerns and work across the subregion.
Online version:
In preparation.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
Participation opportunity
Send your contributions about Coventry and Warwickshire concerns to Sustainability Links:
11 Topical
11.1 Local S&P Report
An area’s different information streams scatter news about various sustainability and community work concerns. The S&P Report takes an overview of a locality’s activities, drawing upon the news covered in a range of sources, while highlighting the importance of democratic participation in problem solving.
There are five sections
• Community
• Environment
• Education
• Business and the Economy
• VCOs
Online version:
In preparation.
Local Sustainability & Participation Report
Document Store version:
In preparation.
11.2 Local What’s On
This feature illustrates how areas can bring together local information about sustainability, participation and community events – and all those who're involved in them.
Online version:
In preparation.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
Input please
If you're involved with any Coventry or Warwickshire groups or community events please send Sustainability Links details of your activities:
12 Appendix
12.1 Local Abbreviations
An A to Z of the abbreviations used when referring to those subregional organisations working on S&P.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
12.2 Key Local S&P Papers
A collection of constitutions, operational guidelines, resolutions and other papers published to support Coventry & Warwickshire’s S&P work.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
12.3 Local Resources
The feature will focus on various resources to help S&P work and include a speakers list, a directory of free venues and details about the availability of other useful resources.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
Archive
Under construction
The archive section is currently being prepared for publication
13. Topical
S&P Reports: Annual Archive
These files will draw together each year’s editions.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
14. S&P Work
Audit of Previous SCSs
Coventry & Warwickshire’s earlier Sustainable Community Strategies – Did they Deliver?
The Log Archive will provide a permanent record of those sustainability concerns raised with the catchment’s decision takers – and their reactions to these.
These audits will be available shortly – they include assessments of the following Strategies:
• Coventry: 2008 – 2026
• North Warwickshire: 2004 – 2007
• Nuneaton and Bedworth: 2007 – 2021
• Rugby: 2007 – 2010
• Stratford: 2004 – 2014
• Warwick: 2005 – 2020
• Warwickshire: 2005 – 2008
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
Just how successful can local lobbying be?
How will those currently responsible for decision and policy making be judged by future generations?
Site visitors will soon be able to refer to these files to see the ways local processes can respond to the challenges of global unsustainability.
Initiatives Sustainability Links has promoted over the years include the Nottingham Declaration, the Sustainable Communities Bill, fair trade, the Earth Charter and the damage caused local public service provisions by economic globalisation.
Log for 2010
The Log forms an annual report recording Coventry and Warwickshire participation process responses to sustainability concerns raised during 2010.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
Log for 2009
The Log forms an annual report recording Coventry and Warwickshire participation process responses to sustainability concerns raised during 2009.
• Opportunities for Participation in Decision Making. Are councils responding to information requests? Copy of the letter sent to Coventry and Warwickshire councils: VCS participation in decision making. Information request enclosures.
• Opportunities to promote sustainability through local decision making processes. Are councils responding to information requests? Copy of the letter sent to Coventry and Warwickshire councils asking six key questions.
• COP15 Copenhagen Climate Change Summit 2009. The approaches and responses.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
Log for 2008
During 2008 the subregion’s LSPs were lobbied on these concerns:
• Sustainable Community Strategy Accessibility
• Green Energy Procurement
• Loyalty Card for Local Businesses
• Transition Area Status
• FE Colleges and Sustainability
• Green Periodicals in Local Libraries
• Government Outcome Targets
• Sustainable Community Strategy Action Plans
• Sustainable Communities Act 2007
• Transparency of Processes during 2008
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
Log for 2004 to 2006
Between 2004 and 2006 the subregion’s LSPs were lobbied on these concerns:
• Information and Process Transparency
• S&P
• Climate Change Policies
• Sustainability Policies
• Sustainable Communities Bill
• LSP Use of Fair Trade
• Fairtrade Area Status:
• Transparency of Processes during 2004: 2006
• LSPs’ S&P Rating
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
Log for 2003
During 2003 the subregion’s LSPs were lobbied on these concerns:
• LSPs’ Sustainability Focus
• Sustainable Communities Bill
• GATS
• Earth Charter
• Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change
• LSP Use of Fair Trade
• Transparency of Processes during 2003
The feature will show how local communities of interest can manage their participation in decision making process work. Each year the Log documents will build into a record of the sort of lobbying work that can be undertaken to promote S&P concerns across Coventry and Warwickshire – and other areas.
The webpage will summarise LSP and Council responses to Links’ approaches on various S&P concerns each year.
Online version:
Not available.
Document Store version:
In preparation.
Please
contact us with any information or feed back:
E-mail - info@sustainabilitylinks.org.uk
Post - Sustainability LINKS, 3 Park Road, Bedworth CV12 8LH