SUSTAINABILITY | Midlothian Greens

We don’t take from the environment more than it can sustain

the focus of society is on maintaining and increasing human health and happiness, rather than chasing the myth of ever-increasing material possessions
The global environmental impact of all goods and services purchased by public bodies is assessed and reduced to a minimum
All businesses over a minimum size assess, and make publicly available, their global environmental impact and are encouraged to reduce it to a minimum
All businesses, and private individuals, are encouraged to purchase locally and sustainably-produced goods and services

there is no fossil fuel extraction – all energy is produced from renewable sources wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and other sources
communities generate their own electricity and heat, eliminating fuel poverty and providing a source of income for their own area

demand for travel is much reduced by locating workplaces and community facilities close to homes and by encouraging the use of locally produced goods and services
more people choose to walk and cycle on a regular basis because safe and pollution-free walking and cycle-ways are provided that go where people want, and need, to go.
public transport provision has been expanded and spending on new roads reduced

carbon emissions have been reduced to a level that ensures that future generations do not face catastrophic climate change
many more trees are planted, both in towns and cities and in rural areas, to absorb pollution, reduce flooding risk and enhance biodiversity
pollution of water courses by chemicals has been reduced by transforming agriculture to low-carbon and low-input systems
soil and land quality are protected so that we can provide nutritious and healthy food for this and future generations
air pollution is reduced to levels where it does not harm human health or the environment
green spaces, both large and small-scale, are protected from development and degradation and, where possible and appropriate, enhanced for recreation and biodiversity.
agricultural land will be protected from development and degradation, to ensure food security
farming is organic, low input and low-carbon, so improving the productive potential of agricultural land, improving environmental quality and biodiversity and keeping food free from pesticides
local farms will serve local markets, replacing the current industrial food system in which standardised foods are imported, often from hundreds or thousands of miles away