3.9A: Local Sourcing

• Sustainable Development

  Meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.  it includes environmental, economic and social sustainability (quality of life).
• Localism

  The idea that food and goods should be grown locally, supporting local jobs and reducing transport, and thus being more sustainable, rather than being sourced globally.

  For example, buying local products, trying to trade with other local businesses and building local community movements around sustainability issues. This is often promoted by local groups and NGOs.
• Transition Towns

  Founded in 2006 the non-governmental organisation (NGO) 'Transition Network' encourages towns to grow their own food in community gardens (not import it) and reduce energy used in transport, e.g. cycling and recycle waste/reuse materials. Some towns like Totnes, Exeter and Stroud even have their own local currencies to encourage local trade. These initiatives are small scale, but some elements like 'grow your own' could have a big impact if widely adopted and promoting local sourcing becomes more widespread.