Agenda21 Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System,

Governments, and Major G roups in every area in which human impacts on the environment. Agenda 21, the Rio of principles for an 178 Governments nt (UNCED) held in Declaration on Environment and Development, and the Statement the Sustainable Management of Forests were adopted by more th at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Developme Rio de Janerio, Brazil, 3 to 14 June 1992.

The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was created in December 1992 to ensure effective follow-up of UNCED, to monitor and report on implementation of the agreements at the local, national, regional and international levels. It was agreed that a five year review of Earth Summit progress would be made in 1997 b y the United Nations General Assembly meeting in special session. The full implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for Further Implementation o f Agenda 21 and the Commitments to the Rio principles, were strongly reaffirmed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in Johannesburg, Sout h Africa from 26 August to 4 September 2002. ORDER Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major G roups in every area in which human impacts on the environment. Along with the Ri o Declaration on Environment and Development and the Statement of principles for the Sustainable Management of Forests, Agenda 21 were adopted by more than 178 Governments at the United Nations conference on Environment and Development (UNC ED) held in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, 3 to 14 June 1992. This landmark publication provides the complete final text of Agenda 21, as well as the Rio Declaration a nd Forest Principles. wikipedia Agenda 21 is an action plan of the United Nations (UN) related to sustainable de velopment and was an outcome of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. It is a comprehens ive blueprint of action to be taken globally, nationally, and locally by organiz ations of the UN, governments, and major groups in every area in which humans di rectly affect the environment. Development of Agenda 21 The full text of Agenda 21 was revealed at the United Nations Conference on Envi ronment and Development (Earth Summit), held in Rio de Janeiro on June 13, 1992, where 178 governments voted to adopt the program. The final text was the result of drafting, consultation, and negotiation, beginning in 1989 and culminating a t the two-week conference. The number 21 refers to an agenda for the 21st Centur y. Implementation The commission on Sustainable Development acts as a high level forum on sustaina ble development and has acted as preparatory committee for summits and sessions on the implementation of Agenda 21. The United Nations Division for Sustainable Development acts as the secretariat to the Commission and works 'within the cont ext of' Agenda 21. Implementation by member states remains essentially voluntary. Structure and contents There are 40 chapters in the Agenda 21, divided into four main sections. Section I: Social and Economic Dimensions which deals with combating poverty, especially for developing country, changing consumption patterns, promoting health, change population and sustainable settle ment in decision making.

Section II: Conservation and Management of Resources for Development Includes atmospheric protection, combating deforestation, protecting fragile env ironments, conservation of biological diversity (biodiversity), control of pollu tion and management of biotechnology and radioactive wastes. Section III: Strengthening the Role of Major Groups Includes the roles of children and youth, women, NGOs, local authorities, busine ss and workers and strengthening the role of indigenous peoples, their community and farmers. Section IV: Means of Implementation Implementation includes science, technology transfer, education, international i nstitutions and financial mechanisms. Local Agenda 21 The implementation of Agenda 21 was intended to involve action at international, national, regional and local levels. Some national and state governments have l egislated or advised that local authorities take steps to implement the plan loc ally, as recommended in Chapter 28 of the document. These programs are often kno wn as 'Local Agenda 21' or 'LA21'.[1] For example, in the Philippines, the plan is 'Philippines Agenda 21' (PA21). In the United States, many conservatives view Agenda 21 as a conspiracy or plot by the UN. Several state and local governments have considered or passed motions and legislation opposing Agenda 21. [3][4][5][6][7] In the same vein, in 2012 t he Republican National Committee (RNC) drafted a resolution opposing Agenda 21, calling it "a comprehensive plan of extreme environmentalism, social engineering , and global political control."[8] The language for this resolution, and others introduced in various state houses around the country, was drafted by the John Birch Society as a "model resolution" to oppose Agenda 21.[9] Alabama became the first state to prohibit government participation in Agenda 21. http://www.sustainable-environment.org.uk/Action/Agenda_21.php Agenda 21, established at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, or "Earth Summit", in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is the blueprint for sustainability in the 21st century. Agenda 21 is a commitment to sustainable dev elopment, which was agreed by many of the world's governments. Nations that have pledged to take part in Agenda 21 are monitored by the International Commission on Sustainable Development, and are encouraged to promote Agenda 21 at the loca l and regional levels within their own countries. Agenda 21 addresses the develo pment of societies and economies by focusing on the conservation and preservatio n of our environments and natural resources. The Conventions, Principles and Declarations of the Earth Summit, provide guidel ines to deal with the problems of poverty, hunger, resource consumption and the deterioration of ecosystems. Agenda 21 provides a format for this to happen, det ailing an action plan for sustainable development and establishing targets for a ctions that combine economic development and environmental protection. Agenda 21 : Is the blueprint for sustainability in the 21st century. Provides options for combating the deterioration of land, air and water, whi lst conserving habitats and their diversity. Deals with poverty, over consumption, health and education. Promotes roles for all. Everyone governments, business, trade unions, scient ists, teachers, indigenous people and youth have roles to play in achieving sust ainable development and should be involved in the decision making processes. Encourages the reduction of environmentally and socially detrimental process es, but within a framework which allows economic success. Presently a nations wealth is gauged by its financial standing, and the more mone

y the better. Agenda 21 promotes the attitude that a nations wealth should also a ccount for the full value of its natural resources. Agenda 21 also encourages na tions to consider the costs of environmental degradation. In addition, to reduce the risk of damage, environmental assessments should be carried out and where d egradation does occur, those responsible should bear the costs. Agenda 21 highlights the need to eradicate poverty. One of the major problems fa cing poorer nations is their lack of resources and ability to live sustainably. Developed nations have taken on the responsibilities of assisting poorer nations to reduce their environmental impacts and achieve sustainable development. Agenda 21 asks governments to integrate sustainable development into their natio nal strategies and highlights the importance of involving non-governmental organ isations (NGOs) and the public in the process. For sustainable development to wo rk, issues must be tackled on a local, national and international level and nati ons must work towards international agreements which respect the interests of all and protect the integrity of the global environmental and developmental system.