In 1992, representatives of over 150 nations met in Rio de Janeiro and signed
an agreement which will change the way in which we live and work.
The meeting became known as the Earth Summit and the agreement was called
Agenda 21, and agenda for the 21st Century.
Agenda 21 is an action plan for sustainable development, designed to tackle
the social, economic and environmental problems caused by the way we live and
work. Everything we do, or buy or use has an environmental, social or
economic impact. Some of these impacts can be positive, but unforunately,
most of our activities have a negative impact. Agenda 21 requires us to
examine our activiites to ensure that they are sustainable.
Sustainable development is the concept of developing and living in a way
that does not create more problems for our descendants. In orther words,
living today with tomorrow in mind. After all children born today can expect
to live well into the second half of the 21st Century - What sort of world will
they inherit?
The Council plays and important role in protecting the environment and
promoting sustainable development. The role of the Council in policy making,
in providing services and ein educating, informing and involving the local
community is crucial to takling today's social, economic and environmental
problems. Chapter 28 of the Agenda 21 document requires local authorities to
develop and implement a 'local' Agenda 21 in partnership with all sectors of
its community.
Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council has accepted this challenge and has
decided to implement a corporate 'Local' Agenda 21 Strategy. To be
successful the strategy must be developed through consultation with all
sections of the community of Rhondda Cynon Taff. Partnership and communal
ownership are the key factors that will determine if the strategy will
succeed and so people must be actively encouraged to become involved in the
issues that most concern or affect them. Hovever, the strategy is not meant
to be set in stone. It is an evolving and adapting action plan for the future.
It is an evolving and adapting action plan for the future. As new Council
policies are adapted and developed, as new legislation is enacted, as Society
changes, the strategy must also adapt.
One of the first stages in this exciting challenge has been to develop a
Mission Statement or Charter which sets out the aims of the Council for the
future of Rhondda Cynon Taff.
Charter for the Future
Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council is committed to improving the
quality of lif for people today whilst protecting the environment for
the children of tomorrow. This is sustainable development.
We recognise the responsibility we have for sustainable development and we
will seek to minimise the damaging effects that our activities have on the
local and global environment. We will implement an environmental management
system to enable us to review our activities. This system will ensure
reasonable, continual and measurable improvement in our environmental
performance.
We are committed ot improving our perfomance through our policies, actions
anmd influence. We will encourage all sectors of the community to join with
us to promote sustainable development in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
Sustainable develop means:
- A more efficient use of resources and less waste.
- Lower levels of pollution.
- A thriving natural environment.
- The meeting of the basic needs of everyone more locally, including those
in poverty.
- Increased opportunities for all to work in a diverse economy.
- Equal access to good health.
- Access to facilities, goods, services and people whilst protecting the
environment.
- Freedom from crime and persecution.
- Access to education, training and information.
- Active public participation in decision making.
- People valuing neighbourhoods and communities in which they live.
Four key principles of sustainable development are:
Fairness: Resources should be used to provide for the needs of all
sections of the community without exclusion or disadvantage to any group.
Paricipation: People should be able to share in decisions that effect
their quality of life and their environment.
Environmental Protection: We all depend on the Earth's resources to
live. These precious resouirces should be protected.
Future generations: Our actions should not have an adverse impact on
the lives of those who come after us.
Enquiries to: Paul Dukes, Environmental Services: 01443 406441.
This page was last updated on 21 February 2000 ____________
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