All English regions have agreed Regional Sustainable Development Frameworks (RSDF). They have been developed by broad regional partnerships including public sector bodies, businesses, local authorities, charities and volunteers and they also draw on local Agenda 21 and Community Strategies. They provide a clear reference point for other regional and sub-regional plans, and are an important link between targets for sustainable development at the local and national level.

The Yorkshire and Humber RSDF was first produced in 2000. It promotes ways of achieving economic growth in the region alongside environmental and social benefits. The RSDF will be fully reviewed in 2005, but in the interim an RSDF Update 2003-05 has been published to update and invigorate the process. The RSDF concentrates on two priorities:

• Integrating sustainability into policy and decision making
• Developing a regional approach to tackling climate change

The Update is a simpler version of the RSDF, but it retains three key elements ⏠the 15 aims, the action plan and the sustainability appraisal.

The 15 aims of the Yorkshire and Humber RSDF are:

• Good quality employment opportunities available to all
• Conditions enabling business success, economic growth and investment
• Education and training
• Safety and security for people and property
• Conditions and services engendering good health
• Culture, leisure and recreation opportunities available to all
• Vibrant communities participating in decision-making
• Local needs met locally
• A transport network maximising access whilst minimising detrimental impacts
• A quality built environment and efficient land use patterns
• Quality housing available to everyone
• A bio-diverse and attractive natural environment
• Minimal pollution levels
• Minimal greenhouse gas emissions and a managed response to the effects of climate change
• Prudent and efficient use of energy and natural resources with minimal production waste

The cross-cutting themes of the Yorkshire and Humber RSDF are:

• Social inclusion and equity across all sectors
• A partnership and participative approach
• Geographic adaptation to meet the needs of rural and urban communities
• Creativity, innovation and appropriate use of technology

A full copy of the RSDF is available on the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly website: www.yhassembly.gov.uk