(Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)
The Draft Sustainable Development Strategy
and Implementation Plan for Bermuda
Anyone visiting or spending time in Bermuda can easily fall in love with it. Like anything we love, we need to ensure we protect it. The Sustainable Development Strategy and Implementation Plan (SDSIP) for Bermuda is a document that makes Government accountable to this virtue - Protecting Life in Bermuda for today, tomorrow and in the future.
All around the world today, people are waking up to the reality that we, as humans, need to make a more conscious effort in trying to look at sustainable ways of living so that we minimize our impact whether we are talking environmentally, socially or economically. At some point, there are limits to human consumption, waste, anti-social behaviour, greed, violence, and the like.
In Bermuda, we live on an island that can be seen as a microcosm of what is going on in the world. As residents of this island, we need to act now. In order for you to know what can be done, you need to know more about this document (the SDSIP). We have broken down the document and the corresponding annexes so that you can easily navigate through the information. It is important that you know not just the Objectives of the SDSIP, but also the Action Steps and the challenges that are faced in taking these steps.
Greenrock feels that the general public (the residents of Bermuda) need to make sure Governement is accountable to this plan which was implemented in 2006. By 'Changing the Mindset' in Bermuda, we can eventually create an ideal living environment that would be the envy of the world.
Greenrock has provided the SDSIP document in PDF format. To read these files you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
The document has been split into separate files reflecting the chapters within the document and the annexes. Wherever possible a table of contents and an excerpt from the document have been provided so that readers can see what each file contains.
File Directory:
"As a small island we have little ability to influence
the tides and currents of global affairs but are strongly influenced by
them. Our size and relative isolation makes us uniquely vulnerable to
changes in the global economy and uniquely strong in being able to
adapt quickly. It also allows a higher level of control over physical
borders. A world where surprise, change and uncertainty are the norm
requires a degree of forward planning, harnessing economic,
environmental and social assets, to chart our course into the next
century."
Contents
Forward by Premier Alex Scott
Part one: introduction
1. Why we need a Strategy
2. What this Document contains
3. What is Sustainable Development?
4. What makes a good National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS)?
Part Two: The Strategy Excerpt:
"This section outlines the vision for Bermuda in the future, drawing on
the many inputs received during public consultation. Setting out this
vision will not in itself mean that it will be achieved. However, it
does give an idea of the Bermuda which residents would like to see and
thus gives direction to the policies and actions which are needed in
the future. This vision is set out under five main themes."
Part three: sustainable Development implementation Plan
Excerpt:
"This chapter seeks to explore some of the issues associated with
maintaining the economy, as well as, ensuring that all Bermudians have
the opportunity to share in Bermuda’s prosperity.
One area which is very difficult to address is the cost of living and
doing business in Bermuda. Bermuda’s small size presents issues of
scale throughout the market, which in a number of cases prevents
effective competition that could bring down prices. Equally, the high
cost of living is simply an indicator of the sustained success of the
economy and an increase in disposable incomes."
Contents
The implementation Plan takes the primary and secondary priorities set out in the Sustainable Development Strategy and breaks them down further. It sets them out under five broad themes:
• Theme 1: Building and Maintaining an Inclusive Strong Economy
• Theme 2: Transforming Governance and the Public Sector
• Theme 3: Protecting and Enhancing our Environment and Natural Resources
• Theme 4: Sustaining our Communities
• Theme 5: Living within Bermuda’s Limits
For each priority, the Implementation Plan
• offers some background, defining the particular issue in question;
• sets some short- and medium-term objectives, and where possible, targets;
• offers some options for actions to achieve those objectives;
• suggests actors, both governmental and non-governmental;
• suggests timelines for delivery; and
• sets out what is already being undertaken by Government.
CONSULTATION METHODOLOGY AND PUBLIC OUTREACH FEEDBACK
Excerpt:
"This document sets out how the views of Bermuda’s residents were gathered, outlining methods used in:
1) Public outreach carried out by the Sustainable Development Project Team, and;
2) A public perception telephone survey done by Total Marketing and Communications Limited (TMC)
The results from this consultation process are attached as:
• Public Outreach Feedback
• Telephone Survey Results "
DOING BETTER IN BERMUDA Excerpt:
"The Arnold Group, LLC, a national workforce development consulting
firm from Rhode Island, USA, was commissioned by the Bermuda National
Training Board to conduct a study on workforce issues in Bermuda and
to subsequently draft a workforce development strategy for the
Government of Bermuda
As a significant part of Bermuda’s Sustainable Development Initiative,
the goal of this workforce development strategy is to maximise the
potential of all Bermudians in all sectors and at all levels of the
workforce, simultaneously meeting the needs of the citizenry and the
employers of Bermuda."
THE BERMUDA LABOUR MARKET AND THE DEMAND FOR HIGHER
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR BERMUDIANS Contents
Population Developments
Educational Attainment of the Working Age Population
Labour Force Activity
Industry Employment Growth
Industry Access by Citizenship Status
Occupational Employment Developments
Job Access to Occupations by Citizenship Status
Recent Trends in Employment
Download PDF:
"This study is a high level review of housing policy in Bermuda with
a view to developing a longer term housing strategy for the island.
Such a strategy would avoid the potential pitfalls of quick-fix
solutions and provide consistency over time in dealing with housing
issues."
AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION MODEL HOUSING ACT Excerpt:
"The primary goal of this Act is to assure the availability of a
wide variety of housing types that will cover all income strata and
accommodate a diverse population, including growing families, senior
citizens, persons and households with special needs, single
householders, and families whose children are of adult age and have
left the household, with special emphasis and high priority on the
provision of low- and moderate-income housing on a regional fair-share
basis. "
SDSIP part one