The following Government initiatives already come under the umbrella of sustainable development:

The new recycling plant

Expanding the sewage processing capacity of the Corporation of Hamilton

National Drug Control Master Plan development and implementation

Mirrors programme (Youth Development strategy)

Seasonal restrictions on some fishing grounds to facilitate reproduction

Seasonal/temporary ban on catching Blue Striped Grunt around Fort George

Department of Environmental Protection working with the Bermuda Police Service to patrol fishing grounds

Licensing of amateur/recreational fishermen (White Paper on Marine Environment)

Term Limits for imported Labour

Cooper's Island Management Plan

Buy Back Bermuda funding

Bermuda Development Plan 2008.

Development of Dockyard Cruise Ship Pier

Education reforms

Rent Geared to Income initiative (affordable housing)

Drug treatment in prisons.

Commenting on the introduction of mandatory drug rehabilitation, Charles Brown, Sustainable Development Unit Director, says: "If we rehabilitate young people, we won't have to spend $65,000 a year per head to take care of them. Instead they could generate $65,000 towards the economy."

In terms of effective use of space on such a small Island, Government launched the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008 on Friday. The public will now have four months to scrutinise it.

A temporary moratorium on certain planning applications also came into effect this month. The exceptions are: redevelopment of brownfield, affordable housing, developments in the City of Hamilton, 'green' LEED-type buildings, light industrial space, tourism-related infrastructure, and minor additions or changes to existing household units.

Mr. Brown says: "This final (Implementation) Plan was the result of extensive consultation with a very wide range of stakeholders. This temporary ban is not across the board, it's a judgement call and is also fact-based. We are monitoring it."