Planning policies - environmental issues (agenda 21)

Online Form: Planning policies - environmental issues (agenda 21)

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. The 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 Agenda 21 covers

Internationally, the Agenda 21 plan included a very wide range of subjects. There are many themes that agenda 21 coverts and these can be found in the International Agenda 21 document located in the downloads section on the right.

The UK plan sets out four 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.

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Page updated: 27 Dec 2007