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LOCAL GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA 21
Since 1991, over 1,800 local governments in 64 countries have established Local Agenda 21 planning processes to implement Agenda 21 at the local level and address global environmental issues like climate change and pollution. Some cities have joined the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The role of local governments in implementing Agenda 21 has been recognized, but their capacity to fulfill sustainable development responsibilities hasn’t been adequately discussed. Over the past decade, local governments in 60+ countries have received more environmental and social responsibilities due to deregulation and decentralization, but the impact on their capacity hasn’t been reviewed. An analysis by ICLEI shows that local government actions have mainly impacted institutional development, public participation, and improved management systems. Some cities have achieved positive impacts through “best practice” projects, particularly in areas like waste management and water pollution control. However, few have demonstrated the ability to achieve significant improvements in social and environmental trends, emphasizing the critical issues for successful global implementation of Agenda 21.
