2.22 The Council is looking to use the Doughnut Economics Model in underpinning our approach to improving people’s lives and particularly in preparing for the future. We will utilise Doughnut Economics in helping us to ensure we are tackling the Climate and Ecological Emergencies and in moving towards a more resilient, greener and fairer economy. This means doing things differently to how they were done in the past and carefully evaluating our decisions and actions in order that they seek to meet or address our social and economic foundations or needs, without exceeding environmental limits or capacity. This approach is articulated through the Bath and North East Somerset decision-making wheel.
Figure 1: Bath and North East Somerset decision-making wheel
2.23 The Doughnut Economics Model and the social foundations and environmental limits set out in the decision-making wheel are closely reflected and incorporated into Sustainability Appraisal of the Local Plan. Local Plans are statutorily required to be subject to Sustainability Appraisal in order that the sustainability effects of the plan can be understood, assessed and demonstrated against a wide range of sustainability objectives, as well as identifying how negative effects can best be mitigated. At this stage of the Local Plan preparation process, Sustainability Appraisal is particularly valuable in understanding the sustainability effects of different alternatives or options and therefore, fundamentally informs decision-making, moving forward to the Draft Local Plan. In addition to undertaking the Sustainability Appraisal, we have also undertaken a Carbon Impact Assessment of the key spatial options. This tool enables us to understand the comparative impact of different options principally in terms of likely carbon emissions. It will also underpin decisions on the Local Plan. As such it is another vital element of ensuring the Local Plan helps us to tackle the Climate and Ecological emergencies.