agenda-21.pdf - Page 8

Basis for action

7.55. Natural disasters cause loss of life, disruption of economic activities and urban productivity, particularly for highly susceptible low -income groups, and environmental da mage, such as loss of fertile agricultural land and contamination of water resources, and can lead to major resettlement of populations. Over the past two decades, they are estimated to have caused some 3 million deaths and affected 800 million people. Glo bal economic losses have been estimated by the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator to be in the range of $30 -50 billion per year.

7.56. The General Assembly, in resolution 44/236, proclaimed the 1990s as the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction. The goals of the Decade 7/ bear relevance to the objectives of the present programme area.

7.57. In addition, there is an urgent need to address the prevention and reduction of man -made disasters and/or disasters caused by, inter alia, in dustries, unsafe nuclear power generation and toxic wastes (see chapter 6 of Agenda 21).

Objective

7.58. The objective is to enable all countries, in particular those that are disaster -prone, to mitigate the negative impact of natural and man -made disasters on human settlements, national economies and the environment.

Activities

7.59. Three distinct areas of activity are foreseen under this programme area, namely, the development of a "culture of safety", pre -disaster planning and post -disaster reconstruction.
(a) Developing a culture of safety

7.60. To promote a "culture of safety" in all countries, especially those that are disaster -prone, the following activities should be carried out:
a. Completing national and local studies on the nature and occurrence of natura l disasters, their impact on people and economic activities, the effects of inadequate construction and land use in hazard -prone areas, and the social and economic advantages of adequate pre -disaster planning;
b. Implementing nationwide and local awareness c ampaigns through all available media, translating the above knowledge into information easily comprehensible to the general public and to the populations directly exposed to hazards;
c. Strengthening, and/or developing global, regional, national and local ea rly warning systems to alert populations to impending disasters;
d. Identifying industrially based environmental disaster areas at the national and international levels and implementing strategies aimed at the rehabilitation of these areas through, inter ali a:
i. Restructuring of the economic activities and promoting new job opportunities in environmentally sound sectors;
ii. Promoting close collaboration between governmental and local authorities, local communities and non -governmental organizations and private business;
iii. Developing and enforcing strict environmental control standards.
(b) Developing pre -disaster planning

7.61. Pre-disaster planning should form an integral part of human settlement planning in all countries. The following should be included:
a. Undertaking complete multi -hazard research into risk and vulnerability of human settlements and settlement infrastructure, including water and sewerage, communication and transportation networks, as one type of risk reduction may increase vulnerability to another (e.g., an earthquake -resistant house made of wood will be more vulnerable to wind storms);
b. Developing methodologies for determining risk and vulnerability within specific human settlements and incorporating risk and vulnerability reduction into the human settlement planning and management process;
c. Redirecting inappropriate new development and human settlements to areas not prone to hazards;
d. Preparing guidelines on location, design and operation of potentially hazardous industries and activities;
e. Developing tools (legal, economic etc.) to encourage disaster -sensitive development, including means of ensuring that limitations on development options are not punitive to owners, or incorporate alternative means of compensation;
f. Further developing and dissemin ating information on disaster -resistant building materials and construction technologies for buildings and public works in general;
g. Developing training programmes for contractors and builders on disaster -resistant construction methods. Some programmes sho uld be directed particularly to small enterprises, which build the great majority of housing and other small buildings in the developing countries, as well as to the rural populations, which build their own houses;
h. Developing training programmes for emerg ency site managers, non -governmental organizations and community groups which cover all aspects of disaster mitigation, including urban search and rescue, emergency communications, early warning techniques, and pre -disaster planning;
i. Developing procedures and practices to enable local communities to receive information about hazardous installations or situations in these areas, and facilitate their participation in early warning and disaster abatement and response procedures and plans;
j. Preparing action pl ans for the reconstruction of settlements, especially the reconstruction of community life -lines.
(c) Initiating post -disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation planning

7.62. The international community, as a major partner in post -reconstruction and rehabili tation, should ensure that the countries involved derive the greatest benefits from the funds allocated by undertaking the following activities:
a. Carrying out research on past experiences on the social and economic aspects of post-disaster reconstruction a nd adopting effective strategies and guidelines for post - disaster reconstruction, with particular focus on development -focused strategies in the allocation of scarce reconstruction resources, and on the opportunities that post - disaster reconstruction provi des to introduce sustainable settlement patterns;
b. Preparing and disseminating international guidelines for adaptation to national and local needs;
c. Supporting efforts of national Governments to initiate contingency planning, with participation of affected communities, for post -disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Means of implementation

(a) Financing and cost evaluation

7.63. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual cost (1993 -2000) of implementing the activities of this prog ramme to be about $50 million from the international community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order -of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments. Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b) Scientific and technological means

7.64. Scientists and engineers specializing in this field in both developing and developed countries should collaborate with urban and regional planners in order to provide the basic knowledge and means to mitigate losses owing to disasters as well as environmentally inappropriate development.

7.65. Developing countries should conduct training programmes on disaster -resistant construction methods for contractors and builders, who build the majority of housing in the developing countries. This should focus on the small business enterprises, which build the majority of housing in the developing countries.

7.66. Training programmes should be extended to government officials and planners and community and non-governmental organizations to cover all aspects of disaster mitigation, such as early warning techniques, pre-disaster planning and construction, post -disaster construction and rehabilitation.

G. Promoting sustainable construction industry activities

Basis for action

7.67. The activities of the construction sector are vital to the achievement of th e national socio- economic development goals of providing shelter, infrastructure and employment. However, they can be a major source of environmental damage through depletion of the natural resource base, degradation of fragile eco -zones, chemical pollutio n and the use of building materials harmful to human health.

Objectives

7.68. The objectives are, first, to adopt policies and technologies and to exchange information on them in order to enable the construction sector to meet human settlement development go als, while avoiding harmful side-effects on human health and on the biosphere, and, second, to enhance the employment - generation capacity of the construction sector. Governments should work in close collaboration with the private sector in achieving these objectives.

Activities

7.69. All countries should, as appropriate and in accordance with national plans, objectives and priorities:
a. Establish and strengthen indigenous building materials industry, based, as much as possible, on inputs of locally available n atural resources;
b. Formulate programmes to enhance the utilization of local materials by the construction sector by expanding technical support and incentive schemes for increasing the capabilities and economic viability of small -scale and informal operati ves which make use of these materials and traditional construction techniques;
c. Adopt standards and other regulatory measures which promote the increased use of energy-efficient designs and technologies and sustainable utilization of natural resources in an economically and environmentally appropriate way;
d. Formulate appropriate land -use policies and introduce planning regulations specially aimed at the protection of eco -sensitive zones against physical disruption by construction and construction -related activities;
e. Promote the use of labour -intensive construction and maintenance technologies which generate employment in the construction sector for the underemployed labour force found in most large cities, while at the same time promoting the development of skills in the construction sector;
f. Develop policies and practices to reach the informal sector and self -help housing builders by adopting measures to increase the affordability of building materials on the part of the urban and rural poor, through, inter alia, credit schemes and bulk procurement of building materials for sale to small -scale builders and communities.
7.70. All countries should:
a. Promote the free exchange of information on the entire range of environmental and health aspects of construction, inc luding the development and dissemination of databases on the adverse environmental effects of building materials through the collaborative efforts of the private and public sectors;
b. Promote the development and dissemination of databases on the adverse env ironmental and health effects of building materials and introduce legislation and financial incentives to promote recycling of energy -intensive materials in the construction industry and conservation of waste energy in building -materials production methods ;
c. Promote the use of economic instruments, such as product charges, to discourage the use of construction materials and products that create pollution during their life cycle;
d. Promote information exchange and appropriate technology transfer among all cou ntries, with particular attention to developing countries, for resource management in construction, particularly for non -renewable resources;
e. Promote research in construction industries and related activities, and establish and strengthen institutions in this sector.
Means of implementation

(a) Financing and cost evaluation

7.71. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual cost (1993 -2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about $40 billion, including about $4 bill ion from the international community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order -of- magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments. Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non -concessional, will depen d upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b) Human resource development and capacity -building

7.72. Developing countries should be assisted by international support and funding agencies in upgrading the technical and managerial capacities of the small entrepreneur and the vocational skills of operatives and supervisors in the building materials industry, using a variety of training methods. These countries should also be assisted in developing prog rammes to encourage the use of non -waste and clean technologies through appropriate transfer of technology.

7.73. General education programmes should be developed in all countries, as appropriate, to increase builder awareness of available sustainable technolo gies.

7.74. Local authorities are called upon to play a pioneering role in promoting the increased use of environmentally sound building materials and construction technologies, e.g., by pursuing an innovative procurement policy.

H. Promoting human resource development and capacity -building for human settlements development

Basis for action

7.75. Most countries, in addition to shortcomings in the availability of specialized expertise in the areas of housing, settlement management, land management, infrastructu re, construction, energy, transport, and pre-disaster planning and reconstruction, face three cross -sectoral human resource development and capacity -building shortfalls. First is the absence of an enabling policy environment capable of integrating the reso urces and activities of the public sector, the private sector and the community, or social sector; second is the weakness of specialized training and research institutions; and third is the insufficient capacity for technical training and assistance for lo w-income communities, both urban and rural.

Objective

7.76. The objective is to improve human resource development and capacity -building in all countries by enhancing the personal and institutional capacity of all actors, particularly indigenous people and women, involved in human settlement development. In this regard, account should be taken of traditional cultural practices of indigenous people and their relationship to the environment.

Activities

7.77. Specific human resource development and capacity -building activities have been built into each of the programme areas of this chapter. More generally, however, additional steps should be taken to reinforce those activities. In order to do so, all countries, as appropriate, should take the following action:
a. Strengthening the development of human resources and of capacities of public sector institutions through technical assistance and international cooperation so as to achieve by the year 2000 substantial improvement in the efficiency of governmental activities;
b. Creating an enabling policy environment supportive of the partnership between the public, private and community sectors;
c. Providing enhanced training and technical assistance to institutions providing training for technicians, professionals and admini strators, and appointed, elected and professional members of local governments and strengthening their capacity to address priority training needs, particularly in regard to social, economic and environmental aspects of human settlements development;
d. Providing direct assistance for human settlement development at the community level, inter alia, by:
i. Strengthening and promoting programmes for social mobilization and raising awareness of the potential of women and youth in human settlements activities;
ii. Facilitating coordination of the activities of women, youth, community groups and non -governmental organizations in human settlements development;
iii. Promoting research on women's programmes and other groups, and evaluating progress made with a view to identify ing bottlenecks and needed assistance;
e. Promoting the inclusion of integrated environmental management into general local government activities.
7.78. Both international organizations and non -governmental organizations should support the above activities by, inter alia, strengthening subregional training institutions, providing updated training materials and disseminating the results of successful human resource and capacity -building activities, programmes and projects.

Means of implementation

(a) Financing and cost evaluation

7.79. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual cost (1993 -2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about $65 million from the international community on grant or concessional terms. These are ind icative and order -of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments. Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b) Scientific and technological means

7.80. Both formal training and non -formal types of human resource development and capacity -building programmes should be combined, and use should be made of user -oriented training methods, up -to- date training materials and modern audio -visual communication systems.

Notes
1/ No aggregate figures are available on internal expenditure or official development assistance on human settlements. However, data available in the World Development Report, 1991, for 16 low -income developing countries show that the percentage of central government expenditure on housing, amenities and social security and welfare for 1989 averaged 5.6 per cent, with a high of 15.1 per cent in the case of Sri Lanka, which has e mbarked on a vigorous housing programme. In OECD industrialized countries, during the same year, the percentage of central government expenditure on housing, amenities and social security and welfare ranged from a minimum of 29.3 per cent to a maximum of 4 9.4 per cent, with an average of 39 per cent (World Bank, World Development Report, 1991, World Development Indicators, table 11 (Washington, D.C., 1991)).

2/ See the report of the Director -General for Development and International Economic Cooperation containing preliminary statistical data on operational activities of the United Nations system for 1988 (A/44/324-E/1989/106/Add.4, annex).

3/ World Bank, Annual Report, 1991 (Washington, D.C., 1991).

4/ UNDP, "Reported investment commitments related to UNDP-assisted projects, 1988", table 1, "Sectoral distribution of investment commitment in 1988 -1989".

5/ A pilot programme of this type, the City Data Programme (CDP), is already in operation in the United Nations Centre on Human Settlements (Habitat) aimed at the production and dissemination to participating cities of microcomputer application software designed to store, process and retrieve city data for local, national and international exchange and dissemination.

6/ This calls for integrated land -resource management policies, which are also addressed in chapter 10 of Agenda 21 (Integrated approach to planning and management of land resources).

7/ The goals of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, set out in the annex to General
Assembly resolution 44/236, are as follows:
a. To improve the capacity of each country to mitigate the effects of natural disasters expeditiously and effectively, paying special attention to assisting developing countries in the assessment of disaster damage potential and in the establishment of early warning systems and disaster -resistant structures when and where needed;
b. To devise appropriate guidelines and strategies for applying existing scientific and technical knowledge, taking into account the cultur al and economic diversity among nations;
c. To foster scientific and engineering endeavours aimed at closing critical gaps in knowledge in order to reduce loss of life and property;
d. To disseminate existing and new technical information related to measures f or the assessment, prediction and mitigation of natural disasters;
e. To develop measures for the assessment, prediction, prevention and mitigation of natural disasters through programmes of technical assistance and technology transfer, demonstration project s, and education and training, tailored to specific disasters and locations, and to evaluate the effectiveness of those programmes.

Agenda 21 – Chapter 8 INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN DECISION-MAKING 8.1. This chapter contains the followin g programme areas:
a. Integrating environment and development at the policy, planning and management levels;
b. Providing an effective legal and regulatory framework;
c. Making effective use of economic instruments and market and other incentives;
d. Establishing systems for integrated environmental and economic accounting.
PROGRAMME AREAS

A. Integrating environment and development at the policy, planning and management levels

Basis for action

8.2. Prevailing systems for decision -making in many countries tend to separate economic, social and environmental factors at the policy, planning and management levels. This influences the actions of all groups in society, including Governments, industry and individuals, and has important implications for the efficiency and sustainability of development. An adjustment or even a fundamental reshaping of decision-making, in the light of country -specific conditions, may be necessary if environment and development is to be put at the centre of economic and political decision -making, in effect achieving a full integration of these factors. In recent years, some Governments have also begun to make significant changes in the institutional structures of government in order to enable more systematic consideration of the environment whe n decisions are made on economic, social, fiscal, energy, agricultural, transportation, trade and other policies, as well as the implications of policies in these areas for the environment. New forms of dialogue are also being developed for achieving bette r integration among national and local government, industry, science, environmental groups and the public in the process of developing effective approaches to environment and development. The responsibility for bringing about changes lies with Governments in partnership with the private sector and local authorities, and in collaboration with national, regional and international organizations, including in particular UNEP, UNDP and the World Bank. Exchange of experience between countries can also be signific ant. National plans, goals and objectives, national rules, regulations and law, and the specific situation in which different countries are placed are the overall framework in which such integration takes place. In this context, it must be borne in mind th at environmental standards may pose severe economic and social costs if they are uniformly applied in developing countries.

Objectives

8.3. The overall objective is to improve or restructure the decision -making process so that consideration of socio-economic and environmental issues is fully integrated and a broader range of public participation assured. Recognizing that countries will develop their own priorities in accordance with their prevailing conditions, needs, national plans, policies and programmes, the following objectives are proposed:
a. To conduct a national review of economic, sectoral and environmental policies, strategies and plans to ensure the progressive integration of environmental and developmental issues;
b. To strengthen institutional struc tures to allow the full integration of environmental and developmental issues, at all levels of decision -making;
c. To develop or improve mechanisms to facilitate the involvement of concerned individuals, groups and organizations in decision -making at all levels;
d. To establish domestically determined procedures to integrate environment and development issues in decision -making.
Activities

(a) Improving decision -making processes

8.4. The primary need is to integrate environmental and developmental decision -making processes. To do this, Governments should conduct a national review and, where appropriate, improve the processes of decision-making so as to achieve the progressive integration of economic, social and environmental issues in the pursuit of development that is economically efficient, socially equitable and responsible and environmentally sound. Countries will develop their own priorities in accordance with their national plans, policies and programmes for the following activities:
a. Ensuring the integrat ion of economic, social and environmental considerations in decision-making at all levels and in all ministries;
b. Adopting a domestically formulated policy framework that reflects a long -term perspective and cross -sectoral approach as the basis for decisio ns, taking account of the linkages between and within the various political, economic, social and environmental issues involved in the development process;
c. Establishing domestically determined ways and means to ensure the coherence of sectoral, economic, social and environmental policies, plans and policy instruments, including fiscal measures and the budget; these mechanisms should apply at various levels and bring together those interested in the development process;
d. Monitoring and evaluating the develo pment process systematically, conducting regular reviews of the state of human resources development, economic and social conditions and trends, the state of the environment and natural resources; this could be complemented by annual environment and develo pment reviews, with a view to assessing sustainable development achievements by the various sectors and departments of government;
e. Ensuring transparency of, and accountability for, the environmental implications of economic and sectoral policies;
f. Ensuring access by the public to relevant information, facilitating the reception of public views and allowing for effective participation.
(b) Improving planning and management systems

8.5. To support a more integrated approach to decision -making, the data systems and analytical methods used to support such decision -making processes may need to be improved. Governments, in collaboration, where appropriate, with national and international organizations, should review the status of the planning and management system and, where necessary, modify and strengthen procedures so as to facilitate the integrated consideration of social, economic and environmental issues. Countries will develop their own priorities in accordance with their national plans, policies and programmes for the following activities:
a. Improving the use of data and information at all stages of planning and management, making systematic and simultaneous use of social, economic, developmental, ecological and environmental data; analysis should stress inter actions and synergisms; a broad range of analytical methods should be encouraged so as to provide various points of view;
b. Adopting comprehensive analytical procedures for prior and simultaneous assessment of the impacts of decisions, including the impacts within and among the economic, social and environmental spheres; these procedures should extend beyond the project level to policies and programmes; analysis should also include assessment of costs, benefits and risks;
c. Adopting flexible and integrative p lanning approaches that allow the consideration of multiple goals and enable adjustment of changing needs; integrative area approaches at the ecosystem or watershed level can assist in this approach;
d. Adopting integrated management systems, particularly fo r the management of natural resources; traditional or indigenous methods should be studied and considered wherever they have proved effective; women's traditional roles should not be marginalized as a result of the introduction of new management systems;
e. Adopting integrated approaches to sustainable development at the regional level, including transboundary areas, subject to the requirements of particular circumstances and needs;
f. Using policy instruments (legal/regulatory and economic) as a tool for plann ing and management, seeking incorporation of efficiency criteria in decisions; instruments should be regularly reviewed and adapted to ensure that they continue to be effective;
g. Delegating planning and management responsibilities to the lowest level of pu blic authority consistent with effective action; in particular the advantages of effective and equitable opportunities for participation by women should be discussed;
h. Establishing procedures for involving local communities in contingency planning for environmental and industrial accidents, and maintaining an open exchange of information on local hazards.
(c) Data and information

8.6. Countries could develop systems for monitoring and evaluation of progress towards achieving sustainable development by adoptin g indicators that measure changes across economic, social and environmental dimensions.

(d) Adopting a national strategy for sustainable development

8.7. Governments, in cooperation, where appropriate, with international organizations, should adopt a national strategy for sustainable development based on, inter alia, the implementation of decisions taken at the Conference, particularly in respect of Agenda 21. This strategy should build upon and harmonize the various sectoral economic, social and environment al policies and plans that are operating in the country. The experience gained through existing planning exercises such as national reports for the Conference, national conservation strategies and environment action plans should be fully used and incorpora ted into a country -driven sustainable development strategy. Its goals should be to ensure socially responsible economic development while protecting the resource base and the environment for the benefit of future generations. It should be developed through the widest possible participation. It should be based on a thorough assessment of the current situation and initiatives.

Means of implementation
(a) Financing and cost evaluation

8.8. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about $50 million from the international community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order -of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments. Actu al costs and financial terms, including any that are non -concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b) Researching environment and development interactions

8.9. Governments, in collaboration with the national and international scientific community and in cooperation with international organizations, as appropriate, should intensify efforts to clarify the interactions between and within social, economic and environmental cons iderations. Research should be undertaken with the explicit objective of assisting policy decisions and providing recommendations on improving management practices.

8.10. Countries, in cooperation, where appropriate, with national, regional or international organizations, should ensure that essential human resources exist, or be developed, to undertake the integration of environment and development at various stages of the decision -making and implementation process. To do this, they should improve education and technical training, particularly for women and girls, by including interdisciplinary approaches, as appropriate, in technical, vocational, university and other curricula. They should also undertake systematic trainin g of government personnel, planners and managers on a regular basis, giving priority to the requisite integrative approaches and planning and management techniques that are suited to country -specific conditions.

(d) Promoting public awareness

8.11. Countries, in cooperation with national institutions and groups, the media and the international community, should promote awareness in the public at large, as well as in specialized circles, of the importance of considering environment and development in an integr ated manner, and should establish mechanisms for facilitating a direct exchange of information and views with the public. Priority should be given to highlighting the responsibilities and potential contributions of different social groups.

(e) Strengthen national institutional capacity

8.12. Governments, in cooperation, where appropriate, with international organizations, should strengthen national institutional capability and capacity to integrate social, economic, developmental and environmental issues at a ll levels of development decision -making and implementation. Attention should be given to moving away from narrow sectoral approaches, progressing towards full cross - sectoral coordination and cooperation.

B. Providing an effective legal and regulatory fr amework

Basis for action

8.13. Laws and regulations suited to country -specific conditions are among the most important instruments for transforming environment and development policies into action, not only through "command and control" methods, but also as a normative framework for economic planning and market instruments. Yet, although the volume of legal texts in this field is steadily increasing, much of the law-making in many countries seems to be ad hoc and piecemeal, or has not been endowed with the necessary institutional machinery and authority for enforcement and timely adjustment.

8.14. While there is continuous need for law improvement in all countries, many developing countries have been affected by shortcomings of laws and regulations. To effectively integrate environment and development in the policies and practices of each country, it is essential to develop and implement integrated, enforceable and effective laws and regulations that are based upon sound social, ecological, economic and scientific principles. It is equally critical to develop workable programmes to review and enforce compliance with the laws, regulations and standards that are adopted. Technical support may be needed for many countries to accomplish these goals. Technical cooperatio n requirements in this field include legal information, advisory services and specialized training and institutional capacity-building.

8.15. The enactment and enforcement of laws and regulations (at the regional, national, state/provincial or local/municipal level) are also essential for the implementation of most international agreements in the field of environment and development, as illustrated by the frequent treaty obligation to report on legislative measures. The survey of existing agreements undertaken in the context of conference preparations has indicated problems of compliance in this respect, and the need for improved national implementation and, where appropriate, related technical assistance. In developing their national priorities, countries should take account of their international obligations.

Objectives

8.16. The overall objective is to promote, in the light of country -specific conditions, the integration of environment and development policies through appropriate legal and regulatory policies, instruments and enforcement mechanisms at the national, state, provincial and local level. Recognizing that countries will develop their own priorities in accordance with their needs and national and, where appropriate, regional plans, policies and programmes, the following objectives are proposed:
a. To disseminate information on effective legal and regulatory innovations in the field of environment and development, including appropriate instruments and compliance incentives, with a view to encouraging their wider use and adoption at the national, state, provincial and local level;
b. To support countries that request it in their national efforts to modernize and strengthen the policy and legal framework of governance for sustainable development, having due regard for local social values and infrastructures;
c. To encourage the development and implementation of national, state, provincial and local programmes that assess and promote compliance and respond appropriately to non-compliance.
Activities

(a) Making laws and regulations more effective

8.17. Governments, with the support, where appropriate, of competent international organizations, should regularly assess the laws and regulations enacted and the related institutional/administrative machinery established at t he national/state and local/municipal level in the field of environment and sustainable development, with a view to rendering them effective in practice. Programmes for this purpose could include the promotion of public awareness, preparation and distribution of guidance material, and specialized training, including workshops, seminars, education programmes and conferences, for public officials who design, implement, monitor and enforce laws and regulations.

(b) Establishing judicial and administrative procedures

8.18. Governments and legislators, with the support, where appropriate, of competent international organizations, should establish judicial and administrative procedures for legal redress and remedy of actions affecting environment and development that may be unlawful or infringe on rights under the law, and should provide access to individuals, groups and organizations with a recognized legal interest.

8.19. Competent intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations could cooperate to provide Governments and legislators, upon request, with an integrated programme of environment and development law (sustainable development law) services, carefully adapted to the specific requirements of the recipient legal and administrative systems. Such systems could usefully include

Page 8 of 41