Sustainable Development

Planning policies - Environmental Issues (Local Agenda 21)

We are committed to sustainable development through our Local Agenda 21 process in which we continuously improve our services, policies and practices to contribute to a better quality of life for everyone now, and for future generations.

Local Agenda 21 is an Agenda for the 21st Century, which was a plan drawn up and agreed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Over 120 nations signed up to Agenda 21, an agenda for sustainable development. Sustainable development considers the impact on our future, of the balance between environmental, economic and social issues of today's activities, policies and new developments.

Local Agenda 21 agreement covers a wide range of issues and gives responsibilities to different groups. This includes an obligation for local councils all over the world to draw up and implement Local Agenda 21 plans.

Part of this Local Agenda 21 process is concerned with engaging the local community and raising awareness of issues relating to sustainability such as energy efficiency, recycling, transport and water and environmental conservation.

What Local Agenda 21 covers

Internationally, the Local Agenda 21 plan included a very wide range of subjects. The list below gives the main headings of the International Agenda 21 document illustrating the topics and themes that it covers.

Social and Economic Dimensions

International co-operation
Combating poverty
Changing consumption patterns
Population and sustainability
Protecting and promoting human health
Sustainable human settlements
Making decisions for sustainability

Conserving/Managing Resources

Protecting the atmosphere
Managing land sustainability
Combating deforestation
Combating desertification and drought
Sustainable mountain development
Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable rural development
Conservation of biological diversity
Management of biotechnology
Protecting and managing the oceans
Protecting and managing fresh water
Safer use of toxic chemicals
Managing hazardous waste and sewage
Managing radioactive waste

Strengthening Major Groups

Women
Children and youth
Indigenous people
Partnerships with non-government organisations
Local authorities
Workers and trade unions
Business and industry
Scientists and technologists
Strengthening the role of farmers

Means of Implementation

Financing sustainable development
Technology transfer
Science for sustainable development
Education, training, public awareness
Creating capacity
Organising for sustainability
International law
Information for decision-making

The UK plan sets out 4 main issues that need to be addressed, these are:

Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone, by strengthening major groups such as women, children, local authorities and trade unions
Effective protection of the environment - such as protecting the atmosphere, tackling deforestation, conserving biodiversity and managing radioactive waste
Prudent use of natural resources, for example consumption of fossil fuels (such as oil coal and gas) in energy production and transport
Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment by increasing education, technology and law