Background
Where did Local Agenda 21 Come From? In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), known as the Earth Summit, developed Agenda 21, a blueprint for action to achieve sustainable development. Agenda 21 called upon governments around the world to take a course of action to implement that blueprint (see Appendix 2 for an outline of Agenda 21). Local Agenda 21 comes from Chapter 28 of that blueprint (see Appendix 1). 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 sub-national environmental policies. As the level of governance closest to the people, they play a vital role in educating, mobilising and responding to the public to promote sustainable development. Agenda 21, paragraph 28.1 Local authorities are one of the nine ‘major groups’ named in Agenda 21 as being fundamental in working towards sustainable development. The others include women, youth and children, ethnic groups and their communities, non-government organisations, trade unions, business and industry, scientists and technologists, and farmers. Local Agenda 21 Since the Earth Summit Since 1992 the importance of sustainable development, and Local Agenda 21’s role in this, has been reinforced in many international and national forums, including Habitat 2 and Rio +5. At the local level in Australia, the 1997 Newcastle Declaration from the ‘Pathways to Sustainability’ Conference (an international conference focussing on the challenge of sustainability for local government), clarified and re-stated the commitment of local government in Australia to Agenda 21 and sustainable development sustainability is a global necessity and … Local Agenda 21 is a fundamental framework for enhancing local and global sustainability. Newcastle Declaration 1997 Australia
Also, both the UN General Assembly and the APEC Environment Ministerial Meeting have recognised the importance of Local Agenda 21. At the latter, a target was set of doubling the number of Local Agenda 21 initiatives by all APEC economies by 2003. More recently, the Mayors’ Asia Pacific Environmental Summit in Honolulu in February 1999 affirmed the endorsement of previous global forums for Local Agenda 21 and concluded that (Local Agenda 21) has been key to achieving sustainable development outcomes at the local level. What does Sustainable Development Mean? The World Commission on Environment and Development used the term ‘sustainable development’ in its 1987 final report, ‘Our Common Future’, and defined it as: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. These and the many other definitions of sustainable development recognise that we need to link development and protection of the environment in order to protect and manage ecosystems and natural resources which are essential for fulfilling basic human needs and improving living standards for all. In this guide we often use the term ‘sustainability’ as a shorthand for these terms. What are Some of the Key Principles of Sustainability? A number of principles form the foundation of sustainability and hence a Local Agenda 21. The following list of principles are based on research, literature and experience of what is most applicable to local authorities. Integration — the effective integration of environmental, social and economic considerations in decision making. Community involvement — recognition that sustainability cannot be achieved, nor significant progress made toward it, without the support and involvement of the whole community. Precautionary behaviour — where there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation. Equity within and between generations — fairness and equal access to opportunities both in our lifetimes, as well as for future generations. Continual improvement — the declining environmental situation means there is an imperative to take immediate action to become more sustainable and to make continual improvement. Ecological integrity — to protect biological diversity and maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems. See Appendix 3 for further detail on each of these principles of sustainability.
Who is Promoting Local Agenda 21? Local Agenda 21 is being promoted by a range of organisations within the region. Globally, the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), an international body representing local authorities from around the world, and original drafters of the Local Agenda 21 chapter, is actively coordinating the international Local Agenda 21 campaign. Independent networks have also played a large part in promoting Local Agenda 21. In South Australia, a partnership for Local Agenda 21 exists as a collaborative effort between the State Government, the Local Government Association, and now over 30 authorities in South Australia that have made a commitment to undertake Local Agenda 21 programs. The aim of this partnership is to encourage all Councils to be involved and for this Local Agenda 21 activity to help shape and inform state level policy and planning processes. After the UNCED, the Chinese Government took the lead to formulate the first national Agenda 21 (China's Agenda 21) in the world - White Paper on China's Population, Environment, and Development in the 21st Century (1994) and the Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21(1994). The White Paper consists of 20 chapters covering a wide range of areas related to sustainable development in China and was approved by the State Council in March 1994. Since then, the Chinese Government has been regarding the National Agenda 21 as a comprehensive blueprint for the sustainable development and environmental protection in China. The Priority Programme identified nine priority areas. Sixty two projects from more than 500 project proposals were designated as the priority projects, based upon the potential of their value to help implement China's Agenda 21 in areas of the most urgent needs. The Philippine Government created a National Agenda 21 program in 1996. The program is headed by the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), a multi-sectoral body which was formed to fulfil the commitments of the Philippines to Agenda 21. Why Should Local Authorities Implement a Local Agenda 21? There are potentially many benefits from undertaking a Local Agenda 21. These include: • • • • • • • • managing change more effectively; more effective policy development; enhanced capacity to meet community needs; greater community cohesion; stronger links between local authorities; cost savings; a healthy and vibrant community; staying relevant.
Further detail of each of these benefits is contained in Appendix 4.
How Does Local Agenda 21 Fit with Existing Policies, Programs and Activities? Local Agenda 21 provides the context for all the operations of a local authority. It is not a discrete program which sits alongside strategies for waste management, parks and gardens, transport planning and community services. Rather, the vision of sustainability and the goals and targets of Local Agenda 21 should set the direction for all of the activities of local authorities. This is why Local Agenda 21 should not be driven only by environment managers. For a Local Agenda 21 action plan to succeed, it needs to have the support of managers with responsibilities covering social and economic development. In this sense, it is an umbrella program, a strategic long term framework for directing action towards sustainable development. A Local Agenda 21 program is not about starting from scratch but rather about building on existing programs, activities and policies. For local authorities that have already undergone integrated strategic planning, Local Agenda 21 will be about applying sustainability principles to that framework. Local Agenda 21 can build on work already being undertaken, ensuring that it is long term, involves the community and takes account of principles such as ecological integrity, precaution and equity between and within generations. One of the most effective implementation strategies for Local Agenda 21 will be compiling audits or inventories of existing programs, strategies, activities and policies that are either a) working towards sustainability or b) moving away from sustainability. The aim will be to strengthen the first set and neutralise the second set.