Delegating sustainable development to appropriate level

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

With respect to integrating environment and development in decision-making, Agenda 21 encourages the principle of delegating policy-making and planning and management responsibilities to the lowest level of public authority consistent with effective action, and a locally driven approach. In particular, it recommends discussion of the advantages of effective and equitable opportunities for participation by women.

1. Improving planning and management systems
2. Global local community planning
3. Delegating

1. Using local government management of common property resources
2. Increasing local autonomy of government biodiversity conservation programmes
3. Including youth in task forces on environmental education
4. Including environmental management in activities of local authorities
5. Improving administration of local government
6. Helping local authorities modernize management
7. Decentralizing management of rural development

1. Strengthening role of local authorities in sustainable development
2. Strengthening local governments
3. Reinvesting in sustainability
4. Managing wild renewable resources through local communities
5. Managing land
6. Instigating community resources management
7. Expanding role of children and youth in sustainable development
8. Developing effective home management

1. Supporting research on traditional and sustainable production methods
2. Strengthening local organizations responsible for land management
3. Providing extension services to support local environmental management
4. Increasing coastal zone management capabilities at the local level
5. Including resource recovery in local authority waste management plans
6. Ensuring local participation in coastal zone management
7. Enabling local community management of aquatic resources
8. Developing local environmental health action plans
9. Delegating community responsibility for water

1. Setting limits to government authority

1. Micro-management

1. Unsustainable
2. Undeveloped
3. Underdevelopment
4. Overdevelopment
5. Nonlocal
6. Inappropriateness
7. Development