Agenda 21: Waitakere City Council's Overview

Agenda 21 comprises of a set of 27 overriding principles followed by 40 chapters. These are divided into 4 sections; social and economic dimensions, conservation and management of resources for development, strengthening the role of major groups, and means of implementation. 

Section 1: Social and Economic Dimensions

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Chapter 1:

Preamble (Size 48K)

The world is faced with increasing disparity between and within nations. A worsening of poverty, hunger, ill health and illiteracy combined with a deterioration of the ecosystems upon which we depend for our livelihood. 

Chapter 2:

International cooperation (Size 62K) 

International cooperation to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries and related domestic policies.  An open trading system is expected to allow for more efficient allocation and use of resources. This should lead to an increase in production and income and lessen the demands on the environment. 

Chapter 3:

Combating poverty (Size 62K)

While poverty is seen largely as a third world issue, countries such as New Zealand are not exempt. Adverse environmental effects can result when people abuse the environment's natural resources due to their own lack of financial resources. 

Chapter 4:

Changing consumption patterns (Size 59K)

Over consumption is the major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment. Changes in consumption patterns directed towards sustainable development, are required.

Chapter 5:

Demographic dynamics and sustainability (Size 61K)

The combination of an increasing world population and unsustainable consumption is placing severe stress on our planet. There is a need to develop strategies to mitigate both the adverse impact of human activities on the environment and environmental change on human populations. 

Chapter 6:

Protection and promotion of human health  (Size 76K)

Health and development are intimately interconnected. Insufficient development leads to poverty and its associated health problems. Thus, health, environmental and socio-economic improvements require cooperative efforts in education, housing and public works from governments, non-government organisations and local communities. 

Chapter 7:

Promoting sustainable human settlement development (Size 76K)

An integrated approach to providing infrastructure in human settlements is required. This should improve quality of life, productivity, and health, reduce the burden of investments in curative medicine and alleviate poverty. 

Chapter 8:

Integrating environment and development in decision making (Size 11K)

Decision-making tends to be compartmentalised, with economic, social, and environmental decisions being made separately. If environment and development issues are to become the central focus, decision-making must become more integrated.