Rationale - what it means and why it is an important measure
Local Agenda 21 is an Agenda for the 21st century. An LA 21 process is led by, or includes, the substantial involvement of a local government. It is comprehensive and involves significant community participation and stakeholder involvement. It encompasses environmental, economic and social issues; it has a long-term focus - including a plan, program or set of actions for the local government and the rest of the community to attain sustainability. Specific goals, implementation measures, monitoring and evaluation (e.g., audits, indicators, targets) are part of this long-term effort.
How it is compiled, what data are needed
Registration of work at the local municipality level which can be defined within the LA21 framework as a LA21 activity.
Measurements and units
Number of activities
Possible temporal and spatial format
Trends, graphs
Reference to methodology resources
ICLEI, 1998. www.iclei.org/cities21/c21ind.htm
Objective
To implement LA 21 processes in the city and its local communities.
Targets, benchmarks, reference values
The Rio conference in 1992 stated that LA 21 processes should be implemented globally at local level.
References to examples of application
LA21 in Durban: http://ceroi.net/reports/durban/index.htm Sust.cities and local governance: http://www.unchs.org/scp/
Other comments / background
In June 1992 the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development adopted Agenda 21 - the global action plan for sustainable development for the 21st century. That plan includes a special mandate to local authorities to establish Local Agenda 21s by 1996. The LA21 document: http://iisd1.iisd.ca/rio+5/agenda/agenda21.htm
