Please select a question from the list below or email your enquiry to info@pioneersgroup.co.uk

What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development is about delivering a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. Government has defined four key objectives, the integration of which will deliver sustainable development:

- social progress which recognises the needs of everyone

- effective protection of the environment

- prudent use of natural resources

- maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment

Two centuries of industrial development have made life better for many people in ways that would have been unimaginable even a generation ago. But it has also brought increasing damage to the physical systems and social fabric on which our well-being depends. What we need now is a different kind of development, one which meets people's needs without compromising our future. For this to be sustainable, we must take full account of the social, economic and environmentalimpacts of our decisions, over the long term.

What's it got to do with business?

Many business people perceive sustainability as a subject too all-embracing to ground it within the realities of commercial life. They interpret the agenda as too radical for their conservative directors and City institutions.

The agenda is indeed radical, requiring them to re-examine the company's relationships, management systems, operational techniques, products and services and basic issues of ethics and wider social responsibilities. However, those who really connect find that the sustainability agenda is not only deeply conservative in nature but actually harmonises with the essential business needs to be profitable and demonstrate added value.

Understanding, quantifying and making prudent use of financial, physical and human resources will reveal inefficient practices and business risks of all kinds. The agenda is absolutely founded on effectiveness, efficiency, stewardship and prudence and allows intelligent businesses to position themselves to advantage.

Why develop a sectoral sustainable development strategy?

Sectoral organisations can assist the process significantly by bringing their generic approach to the subject. They can identify common interests, differences or exceptions from the norm and make a stron contribution to identifying advantage and disadvantage to their constituents. Whilst individual companies will always find their own way to meet society's increasing requirement for all development to be economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.

Sectoral sustainable development strategies provide a framework to help business sectors identify and manage economic, environmental and social risks in an integrated way, and to unlock opportunities to improve competitiveness and enhance reputation. There are some key points to remember about such strategies:

- They are business-owned and therefore an important step in enhancing the profile and effectiveness of voluntary business action

- There's no blueprint - approaches reflect the individual circumstances and priorities of each sector

- They build on existing activities and don't start from a blank sheet of paper

- It's a long term process of continuous improvement - all about learning by doing.

There are clear benefits to trade associationsin developing sustainable development strategies:

- Setting new industry standards for sustainability, benefiting companies and consumers alike

- Improving the reputation of the UK sector domestically and internationally

- Developing and sharing sector-specific toolkits for assessing and improving sustainability

- Giving members reassurance that they are not working alone in new areas

- Helping members avoid risks inherent in unsustainable behaviour

- Representing their members better by knowing and understanding the issues

- Influencing Government and other agencies more effectively to pre-empt or inform future regulatory action

Sectors are diverse, with different mandates and priorities. The success of a sector in producing such a strategy will depend on the commitment of its members.

What is the Pioneers Group Networking Forum?

The Pioneers Group Networking Forum is a targeted email system allowing each trade association to send and receive targeted information/ requests related to sectoral sustainable development.

Each Pioneer can register and create their own profile. This profile will be used to filter the messages sent via the system to ensure they are relevant.

Each Pioneer will also be able to use the Forum to create targeted mailing lists and email out information/ requests related to sustainable development.

During the initial registration process each Pioneer creates a profile using:

- Sector specialisms

- Sectoral characteristics

- Sustainable development interests

- Sustainable development strategy benchmarks

This is also the categorisation system used when creating a targeted mailing list.

The Pioneers Group Networking Forum also offers Associate Membership to other interested parties, such as consultants, academics, public sector support organisations etc. Associate Membership is free and benefits include a regular Pioneers Group bulletin containing information on relevant publications, events, projects etc.

Are there any costs involved in using this site?

No.

How do I send a message to others?

This function is only available to registered Sectoral Trade Associations. If Associate Members have relevant information they want to send via the Network they should contact the Forum Administrator on 01355 272453 or info@pioneersgroup.co.uk.

Once registered and logged in, you can create a mailing list by viewing and selecting from a list of registered Pioneers or by selecting categories from any one (or a combination of) the following profiling dimensions:

- Sector specialisms

- Sectoral characteristics

- Sustainable development interests

- Sustainable development strategy benchmarks

Once the mailing list has been generated, you can view and edit it before completing the message form and sending your message. The system automatically copies your contact details into the email message so that recipients can contact you directly.

Who will see my message?

What happens after I send a message?

Your message is emailed to the people that match the profile you created. As your contact details will be automatically attached then the recipients will be able to contact you directly (by phone or email). At this point you communicate in the normal manner - there is never any need to return to this site unless you want to send another message, update your contact details, or your own profile.

Who do I contact if I have any questions about this site?

In the first instance please contact our helpdesk who will deal with your enquiry directly or pass it to the relevant partner:

Tel. 01355 272453
Email: info@pioneersgroup.co.uk