A set of proposals, made at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, to promote sustainable development. It sets out environmental strategies for managing coasts, oceans, and water, monitoring and reducing chemical waste, eradicating radioactive waste, and conserving natural vegetation and soils (through sustainable farming). Other proposals include measures to improve health care, reduce poverty, and develop fair and environmentally friendly trade policies. The aim is to promote global sustainable development at a more fundamental level than traditional aid programmes, based on common needs and interests. The requirement is for local governments to develop their own ‘Local Agenda 21’ in order to promote and implement sustainable development.

http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/agenda21/english/agenda21toc.htm Agenda 21 online.