Expanding public participation in environmental research and in setting long-term societal goals

Agenda 21 recommends strengthening and designing appropriate institutional mechanisms at the highest appropriate local, national, subregional and regional levels, and within the United Nations system, so as to develop a stronger scientific basis for the improvement of environmental and developmental policy formulation consistent with long-term goals of sustainable development. Current research in this area should be broadened to include more involvement of the public in establishing long-term societal goals for formulating the sustainable development scenario.

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the UN Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

1. Applying science sustainably

1. Undertaking long-term research
2. Promoting public participation in environmental decision-making
3. Campaigning about biodiversity issues

1. Monitoring public participation in national environmental action plans

1. Underparticipation
2. Short-termism
3. Participation
4. Nonparticipatory