The World Summit in Johannesburg and Denmark's National Strategy for Sustainable Development

The World Summit in Johannesburg and Denmark's National Strategy for Sustainable Development

Local Agenda 21

Local joint responsibility of citizens and enterprises is important in transforming objectives regarding sustainable development into action. Involvement of citizens in municipalities and counties is based on Local Agenda 21, amongst other things.

The Johannesburg Plan stresses that local authorities and populations have an important role in implementing Agenda 21. Local Agenda 21, partnerships, and similar initiatives should continue to receive support

By the end of 2003 all municipalities and counties in Denmark will have adopted a Local Agenda 21 strategy. The strategies are an important tool in local follow-up of the National Strategy on Sustainable Development. The strategies will establish objectives for future work to reduce environmental impacts, promote sustainable urban development, promote biodiversity, and involve the public and business community in Local Agenda 21 work. The strategies will target local work and provide more widespread ownership.

As a follow-up to Johannesburg a European Conference on Local Agenda 21 was held in Kolding from 3-6 November 2002. The Conference gathered about 350 representatives from European municipalities, towns, and regions. There was focus on future aims including that local work for sustainable development requires strengthened public-private cooperation, that Local Agenda 21 should be integrated more in other local policies and strategies, and that local authorities in Europe should be better at involving global environmental problems such a climate protection and water quality in local work for sustainable development.

Denmark is participating in Agenda 21 for the Baltic Sea Region. Through the action plan for "education for sustainable development" Denmark has committed itself to including the concept of sustainable development in all adjustments to education programmes. Sustainable development is thus included in subject development and goals in the Danish Primary and Lower Secondary School, and it will be included as part of the reform of upper-secondary education.