Local Agenda 21 came about as a direct result of the
Earth Summit conference of 1992, held
at
Rio de Janeiro. Presented to this summit was a programme, called
Agenda 21
(an agenda for the 21st century), about building
sustainable economies.
Agenda 21 is quite a lengthy document of 30 chapters.
Chapter 28 relates to
implementation of Agenda 21 by local government, and is entitled "Local Authorities'
Initiatives In Support Of Agenda 21". The International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) proposed a charter called Local Agenda 21,
or LA21 for short, presenting guidelines for implementing this chapter. Crucial to the
implementation of Agenda 21 is a buy in from government at all levels.
Hence arose a campaign to implement Local Agenda 21
at a local level. This campaign is being implemented in many parts of the globe - often on a
mandate from higher tiers of government. When coming to office in the UK in 1997, Tony Blair
wholeheartedly endorsed LA21, and encouraged UK local government councils to adopt its
principles.
LA21 principles
- Reduce emissions - in line with Agenda 21 guidelines.
- Promote organic farming methods. Eliminate depenency on chemicals.
- Encourage local produce. Reduce transportation pollution and costs.
- Encourage use of local materials.
- Encourage recycling and re-use of waste materials.
- Require suppliers to local government, to follow LA21 principles.
- Promote awareness of environmental issues in the general public.
Is your local government adopting LA21?
Why not ask them? Talk to their environment or planning department. They should be delighted
to tell you about their LA21 initiative, and be happy to supply you with details.
For more information
- http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/agenda21text.htm
- United Nations Sustainable
Development - Agenda 21 text
- http://www.iclei.org/iclei/la21.htm
- International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives
Note to noders: Please /msg me before downvoting. I am aiming to give a factual and
objective account of LA21. If you do not agree with LA21, this is beside the point.