Sustainability impact assessments for Government policies, strategies, plans and programmes have been recommended by the Sustainable Development Department.

Premier Michael Dunkley reported the recommendation while making a statement on the official release of the Sustainable Development Department’s annual report, dated 2013, to the House of Assembly on Friday.

It is the first comprehensive report to have been published addressing the progress of sustainable development as a Government initiative.

The report includes the significant milestones and achievements of the SDD and the work of the appointed advisory board, the Sustainable Development Roundtable (SDRT), as well as the challenges encountered.

“One proactive method of embedding sustainability principles is the use of sustainability impact assessments,” Mr Dunkley said.

“These are used to assess the likely economic, social and environmental effects of policies, strategies, plans and programmes before they have been formulated.

The Premier said the department promoted “integrated, holistic and long-term national policy development”.

He also said that sustainable development indicators would provide information about areas that affect quality of life, they show how existing policies have had an impact on sustainability in multiple sectors: the economy, education, housing, public safety, the environment and health.

“Data collected over seven years assists in informing the direction of policy changes in these six areas of life in Bermuda,” Mr Dunkley said.

“The Sustainable Development Department was established as a dedicated resource within Government, with overall responsibility for ensuring the implementation of the SD mandate; that is, to promote and facilitate public and private sector policy that is compatible with the Bermuda Government’s SD plan.”

The SDD has produced two brochures that the Premier highlighted: “Economic Toolkit” and “Strong Families Make Strong Communities”.

They are also working on long-term strategies for water, food supply and security.

“This report details the value of both the department and the SDRT in fulfilling the SD mandate,” he added.

• To read the Premier’s statement, see the PDF under ‘attached media’