February 2000
Report summary
A number of local authorities in New Zealand are seeking to implement Local Agenda 21 and advance sustainable development. This report discusses the implementation of Local Agenda 21 in the United Kingdom and raises a number of issues for New Zealand.
Executive summary
Agenda 21 is a non-binding framework for action to achieve sustainable development resulting from the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Implementation of Agenda 21 at the local level is known as Local Agenda 21. This involves developing partnerships among local authorities, the business sector, NGOs and citizens to improve quality of life through the management and enhancement of the local environment and social and economic conditions.
Local Agenda 21 can work at different levels and be applied in different ways. There is no standard template that can be applied but there are examples of best practice.
The overall picture for sustainable development and Local Agenda 21 in the UK is still very patchy. There is growing local authority interest in Local Agenda 21 but it is also in 'a state of healthy confusion' as statutory duties such as best value and community planning are defined and addressed. Local Agenda 21 has had a good start but how the new duties are implemented and more explicitly linked to sustainable development is the challenge for the future.
Findings & recommendations
Key messages for New Zealand from the UK work on Local Agenda 21 include:
- Local Agenda 21 is providing a very suitable process for addressing the integration of environmental, social and economic issues at the local level
- the development of new mechanisms for public involvement has assisted the local democratic process and community participation
- a Local Agenda 21 strategy is a community and not a municipal agenda and is relevant to all sizes and types of authority and community
- the co-ordination and information provision role of the Local Government Management Board and other organisations has been vital, as has been the role of the national steering group.
Key issues for New Zealand include:
how could more New Zealand local authorities be encouraged to respond to sustainable development and Agenda 21 with the development of Local Agenda 21 processes and strategies?
- How could central Government provide support for Local Agenda 21 and work in partnership with local authorities and communities?
- Are local authorities sufficiently managing and improving their own sustainability performance (eg addressing resource use, energy efficiency, 'green purchasing')?
- How can sustainable development be better integrated into existing policy frameworks?
- How can community and business participation be enhanced to bring improved community and business partnerships to address sustainable development?
- How could sustainable development indicators be promoted and developed in New Zealand?
