Sustainability is a loose term that developed out of the first Earth Summit in 1992 where it was argued that sustainable development is ‘Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. While sustainability has traditionally had a strong orientation around the environmental issues, recent developments have extended its scope to encompass questions of social equity, valuing of cultural difference, and economic prosperity. The UN Sustainable Development Goals are now widely recognised and increasingly seen as an important part of the university educational agenda.
At Leisure Tours the sustainability agenda recognises the intersection between planetary concerns, caring for people and an aspiration to be a te Tiriti led organisation. There are strong overlaps between those three agendas and they are mutually reinforcing.
The commitment to being a Tiriti-led organisation includes recognition of the significance for Māori of ‘the indivisible relationship between people, landscapes and waterways’ and an inter-generational responsibility for kaitiakitanga. This connects with a ‘regenerative’ understanding of sustainability where the focus is on more than ‘doing less bad’. A regenerative ethos looks towards a future that restores climate stability and regenerates our built and natural environments.
VISION:– Leading sustainability through training, engagement and best practice for a healthy and resilient future
Our approach to sustainability incorporates environmental, cultural, social and economic dimensions as a means to imagine and create sustainable futures.
VALUES:– Leisure Tours approach to sustainability will be guided by our commitments to: