From the Earth Summit to Local Agenda 21: Working Towards Sustainable Development

Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development called for the participation and cooperation of local authorities in support of its economic, social and environmental goals. In this book, a list of prominent authors present in-depth case studies that emphasize the diversity and inventiveness of initiatives since the Rio 'Earth Summit', within different national settings. The book offers 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 LA21 objectives.This comprehensive description and evaluation of how the LA21 initiative has been interpreted and implemented by local authorities in Europe is necessary reading for planners, public sector workers, environmentalists and social science students