A SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT STRATEGY F O R LONDON: BASELINE POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION Joanna Williams University of Luton 1. 0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Sustainabl e Systems Sustainability is a concept being aired in the current environmentally and socially aware climate. It is a concept relevant within all areas of society, not least transport. Sustainability is both an idea in its infancy and one which is perceived i n a variety of ways. A sustainable system is one in which physical and social environments are protected to maintain or improv e the quality of life for present and futur e generations. The Brundtland Report (1987) suggests that a sustainable system must preserve the physical environment’s ability to provide basic “life support’’ services, such as clean air, fresh water, fertile land, diverse and stable ecological systems and climate regulation. A sustainable system is one which accepts that the environment places absolute limits on some kinds of human behaviour and that the human race lives within it s environmental means. The key requirements for a sustain able syst em include the following: * * * * Equity within present society 1.2 The criteria for sustainable transport systems were outlined in the “Draft Guide: Advice on Str ategic Planning Guidan ce for London” ( 1993), produced b y t he London Planning Advis ory Committee. The criteria included: * * * A reduction in energy an d resource consumption Minimisation of waste production and emissions The protection of the diversi ty and variety of life Criteria for Sustainable Transport Systems The need to reduce emissions from all modes of transport The need to protect species and natural habitats The need to provide an environmentally friendly transport system wh ich is accessible to all people