Agenda 21 called upon local authorities,"the level of governance closest to the people", to take a course of action to implement that blueprint by entering into a consultative process (dialogue) with the citizens, local organizations and private enterprises and adopting ”a Local Agenda 21".
Chapter 28 of Agenda 21, entitled "Local Authoritie's Initiatives in Support of Agenda 21", notes the pivotal role of local councils in localizing Agenda 21 and fulfilling its objectives:
"Because so many of the problems and solutions being addressed by Agenda 21 have their roots in local activities, the participation and cooperation of local authorities will be a determining factor in fulfilling its objectives. Local authorities construct, operate and maintain economic, social and environmental infrastructure, oversee planning processes, establish local environmental policies and regulations, and assist in implementing national and subnational environmental policies." (1)
Local councils are recognized as being fundamental in educating, mobilizing and responding to the public to promote sustainable development at a local level. Through consultation and consensus-building, local authorities would acquire from citizens and from local, civic, community, business and industrial organizations the information needed for formulating the best strategies for their communities. The process of consultation would also contribute to increasing household awareness of sustainable development issues. (1)
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Local Agenda 21
A local Agenda 21 is a local sustainability action strategy developed by a local council in partnership with the citizens and local organizations, to meet Agenda 21 objectives and create a more sustainable community than today. |
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Why Should Local Authorities Engage in a "Local Agenda 21" Process?
The engagement of local authorities in a "Local Agenda 21" process would bring about several benefits including: (2)
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A cleaner, healthier environment for present and future generations.
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Local policy that is representative of ecosystem limits as well as the community's needs and values.
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Creative solutions fostered by integrated decision making that emphasizes collaboration among local authority departments.
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Stronger community and local government partnerships.
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Creation of a more socially just society.
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Cost savings - effective policy integration and smart long-term planning can save resources and money
What are the Elements of a Local Agenda 21 ?
Developing a Local Agenda 21 or a Local Sustainability Action Strategy is crucial to making progress towards sustainability because it involves community participation with the local authority and core elements that form the basis for achieving a more sustainable community. A Local Agenda 21 should build upon existing national and local strategies and action plans to better integrate environmental, economic and social concerns. The elements of a Local Agenda 21 are:
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An Assessment of the community's current environmental and socioeconomic conditions as well as of the institutional arrangements, structures and practices.
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A Shared Sustainability Vision Statement that declares the community's vision for a more sustainable community than today, formulated through a participatory process involving all sectors of the community. Key areas of concern are also identified.
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Sustainability Goals for key areas of concern "Key Area Vision Statements" informed by the assessment findings and correspond to the direction set by the shared sustainability vision statement.
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Sustainability Targets based on the extent to which the local authority is committed to achieve the key area vision statements or goals within a desired time period.
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Actions & Projects that meet or contribute to attaining the identified sustainability goals and targets.
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Mechanisms for Implementation that detail the responsible bodies for undertaking the actions, the relative priority of actions, timeframes of implementation and proposed sources of funding.
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Mechanisms for Monitoring that detail how progress will be monitored and how the Strategy will be evaluated.
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