From the Earth Summit to Local Agenda 21 Working towards sustainable development International Environmental Governance Set Series

'THIS IS ESSENTIAL READING for all those who want to see that what they do, in rising to the challenge of Rio, draws properly on the experience of others and therefore makes their contribution all the more effective.'
from the Foreword by JOHN GUMMER MP former secretary of State for the Environment

'An essential guide to how global agreements are being implemented at a local level. Sometimes people question whether global agreements impact on their lives. This book answers with a firm 'YES'.'
FELIX DODDS
UNED-UK Coordinator

Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development called for the participation and cooperation of loca1 authorities in support of its economic, social and environmental goals. This collection of in-depth case studies emphasizes the diversity and inventiveness of local initiatives since the Rio 'Earth Summit' within different national settings.

From the Earth Summit to Local Agenda 21offers a realistic counterpoint to the official monitoring and assessment procedures of national governments and international bodies. It highlights the problems of assessment and policy evaluation and clearly sets out the policy stages necessary for more effective realization of Local Agenda 21 objectives.

WILLIAM M LAFFERTY is professor of political science at the University of Oslo, Norway, and director of the Program for Research and Documentation for a Sustainable Society (ProSus) within the Research Council of Norway.

KATARINA ECKERBERG is associate professor in international relations at the Department of Political Science, Umea University, Sweden.

Originally published in 1998

Notes on Contributor
List of Abbreviations and Acronyms
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction: The Nature and Purpoqe of 'Local Agenda 21'
2. Finland: Working With LA2 I Under Conditions of Economic Uncertainty
Anita Niemi-lilahti
3. Sweden: Setting the Pace with Pioneer Municipalities and Schools
Katarina Eckerberg, Bjorn Forsberg and Per Wickenberg
4. Norway: Confronting the Inertia of Existing Reforms
Carlo Aall
5. Germany: Five Years After Rio and Still Uphill All the Way'?
Christiane Beuerrnann
6. Austria: A Late Start with a Strong Potential
Otto Schiitz
7. The Netherlands: Subsidized Seeds in Fertile Soil
Frans H.J.M. Cocnen
8. The United Kingdom: A Mirage Beyond the Participation Hurdle?
Stephen Young
9. Ireland: Does the Road from Rio Lead Rack to Brussels?
Ger Mullally
10. Conclusions: Cornparative Perspectives on Evaluation and Explanation
Katarina Eckerberg and William M. Lafl?rty
Appendix I: Agenda 21, Chapter 28: Local Authorities Initiatives in Support of Agenda 21
Appendix 2: Country Reports on Chapter 28 of Agenda 21, Submitted to DPCSDl 'Earth Summit +5':
Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York, June 23-27 1997
Appendix 3: The Bellagio Principles:Guidelines for Practical Assessment of Progress Toward
Sustainable Development