What is Agenda 21?

Agenda 21 is a framework for developing a comprehensive global action plan  to bring about sustainable development. It involves action at international, national, regional and local levels. It is the task of the local authority to implement it at local level as Local Agenda 21.

Agenda 21 was launched in 1992 at a world conference on the environment – the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Ten years later in Johannesburg  it was strongly reaffirmed by the 2002  World Summit on Sustainable Development .

Basically Agenda 21 sees sustainable development as a community issue and therefore must involve all sectors of society- local government, communities, business, non-governmental organisations and individuals. 

 The local authority is obliged to consult with the people to achieve consensus on Local Agenda 21 for their communities and to then draw up an action plan to carry it out. The whole process should be based on collaboration and participation.

Why is it important?

The core of Local Agenda 21 is to achieve sustainable development  through encouraging  greater local  participation in local decision making .
To do this local authorities should provide mechanisms for full participation and influence on the part of local communities in shaping local decisions.
In other words, you  have a right to express your views, participate in and  influence local decisions.

Local Agenda 21 gives value and legitimacy to a bottom-up approach to planning for sustainable development. In practise this means that your voice as a citizen is important and must be taken seriously.

Citing Local Agenda 21 you have the right to question whether a local authority proposal is in line with the principles of Sustainable Development and to challenge projects on that basis.

Local Agenda 21 covers a wide spectrum of activities and  could be accessed to gain funding and support for innovative projects.

What can you do about it?

• Start talking about it whenever and wherever there is an opportunity. Very few people have heard about Local Agenda 21. It could well be Ireland’s best kept secret!
• Inform yourself about its implications for your area of concern. Check out the links below.
• Contact the Local Agenda Officer at your  County Council and find out about the action plan for the county (or if there is one). Since 1997 each local authority should have  LA21 plans for their area.
• Check with the Local Agenda 21 Officer at your County Council to see if there is funding available to help your campaign.  

Where can you find out more?

Official guidelines for Local Agenda 21   www.environ.ie/en/environment/localagenda21
Useful general information  www.clubi.ie/taisce/planning/agenda21/agenda21html