Council approves Environmental Framework
June 30, 2009
A guide to assess environmental factors and impacts in planning and decision making
Strathcona County Council has approved the Environmental Sustainability Framework, a strategic foundation
that sets priorities and guides planning and programs toward improving our environment.
The framework sets out 10 recommendations to be explored within short-, medium- and long-term time frames. These recommendations are wide ranging, from creating an integrated transportation master plan to address efficient multi-modal travel, to developing a water conservation plan related to County practices, to providing engagement, learning and training opportunities to increase staff and resident involvement in the Environmental Sustainability Framework.
"Strathcona County cares about doing its part to sustain an environmentally healthy and vibrant community," says Mayor Cathy Olesen. "The Environmental Sustainability Framework sets forth direction, a list of recommendations and actions, and a process for monitoring progress to continuously improve upon our environmental practices as an organization."
The Environmental Sustainability Framework ensures environmental impacts will routinely be considered in all applicable decisions, and as part of the annual business planning and budgeting process. As a guide, it is primarily intended for use by County staff and Council, though its direction and tools can be helpful to business and community sectors.
The Environmental Sustainability Framework establishes guiding statements that describe success relating to five themes: land, air emissions, energy, water and material use. To measure Strathcona County's progress in these areas, specific goals and indicators have been established to evaluate and achieve greater environmental sustainability for our community.
Within the Environmental Sustainability Framework, a Decision Support Tool has been developed. Working through series of questions relating to environmental sustainability principles, this tool can help study an initiative, identify information gaps, and ultimately strengthen decision making on environmental matters.
The Environmental Sustainability Framework acknowledges the effectiveness of existing documents such as Strathcona County's Strategic Plan and the Municipal Development Plan, and recommends the County build on the sustainable momentum created by both.
Environmental sustainability is one of three key elements in the Strategic Plan; the others are social and economic. Questions about the Environmental Sustainability Framework can be directed to Corporate Planning and Intergovernmental Affairs at 780-464-8089.
The completed social and environmental sustainability frameworks:
Social Sustainability Framework
A comparable economic framework will be developed.
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Contacts:
Mayor Cathy Olesen, 780-464-8000
Kelly Rudyk, Corporate Planning and Intergovernmental Affairs, 780-464-8089
Last updated: Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Page ID: 3658