HomeWelcome To Wirral
Local Agenda 21
Local Agenda 21 (often shortened to LA 21) provides a framework for implementing sustainable development at the local level. It aims to build upon existing local government strategies and resources (such as corporate plans, biodiversity plans, and transport strategies) to better integrate environmental, economic and social goals.
LA21 was first described in Agenda 21 - the global blueprint for sustainability that was agreed by 179 countries at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 (the Rio Earth Summit). Chapter 28 of Agenda 21 calls upon all local authorities to consult with their communities and develop and implement a local plan for sustainability - a 'Local Agenda 21'.
As a Council we must review all of our services to meet the requirements of the local community and to carry out those services in a way that minimises the use of natural resources and the impact on the environment.
Wirral has heard the Cry of The Earth ... have you ?
These pages are about an initiative called Local Agenda 21 - one of the most ambitious programmes for change ever launched in Wirral. Although often associated with environmental issues it is about much more than that.
Local Agenda 21 (often shortened to LA 21) provides a framework for implementing sustainable development at the local level. It aims to build upon existing local government strategies and resources (such as Corporate plans, biodiversity plans, and transport strategies) to better integrate environmental, economic and social goals.
LA21 was first described in Agenda 21 - the global blueprint for sustainability that was agreed by 179 countries at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 (the Rio Earth Summit). Chapter 28 of Agenda 21 calls upon all local authorities to consult with their communities and develop and implement a local plan for sustainability - a 'Local Agenda 21'.
Local Agenda 21 touches every aspect of life - from the choices you make about the food you eat, to the type of car you buy. As a Council we must review all our services to meet the requirements of the local community and carry out those services in a way that minimises the use of natural resources and the impact on the environment.
Wirral's original LA 21 Action Plan from 2000 is available to download in pdf format (865Kb). However, since then, the principles of LA21 have been integrated into new strategies and plans rather than appearing as a separate strategy.
Increasingly, we are working in partnership to ensure that sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. An excellent example of this is Wirral Environment Partnership which, as part of Wirral's Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), brings together a wide range of agencies, businesses and community groups with an interest in promoting and protecting Wirral's environment. Other groups within the LSP look at social and economic issues including all those listed within these pages.
For more information about Local Agenda 21 in Wirral, contact our LA21 Co-ordinator.
'Cry of The Earth' was a regional awareness-raising event which brought together Local Authorities and public organisations throughout North-West England to celebrate the environment through music.
Wirral attended this event, and we have adopted this phrase to publicise our Local Agenda 21 activities.