United Nations Earth Summit+5 Success Stories -Agenda 21 in Boränge County, Sweden

EARTH SUMMIT+5
Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise
the Implementation of Agenda 21
New York, 23-27 June 1997
SUCCESS STORIES FROM WESTERN EUROPE AND OTHER STATES

Agenda 21 in Borlänge County, Sweden

Location Borlänge county, located in central Sweden about 250 km northwest of Stockholm.

Responsible organization The Agenda 21 secretariat of Borlänge County.

Description Since 1992 the Borlänge county has incorporated the ideas of Agenda 21 in all its work. The main goal has been to activate as many different interest groups in society as possible and develop a local Agenda 21 action plan appropriate to the ideas that these groups address. The county is working "Geographically" meaning that they actually go out to meet people at home and at companies to talk about Agenda 21 and what can be done at the local level. Local canvassing showed there is great interest for local environmental issues among the inhabitants of the county. In the discussions with people, some issues of general interest have emerged such as the development of car-pools, energy and water use reduction, consumption habits and biodegradation of waste. Appropriate actions to implement the generated ideas have been carried through in many residential areas. Next phase will involve the largest residential area in the city with a large number of local community organizations and ethnic minority groups.

Issues addressed Integrated implementation of agenda 21 at the local level.

Objectives To promote and encourage people at all levels to participate in the implementation of the ideas generated in Agenda 21. Environmental considerations should be incorporated in all planning at all levels in the county.
To strengthen cooperation within and between the public and private sectors and make people understand their responsibility for the local, regional and global environment.

Results achieved Local engagement for the ideas presented in the local Agenda 21.
Increased awareness and motivation in taking action to improve the environment.

Lessons learned In order to develop local action plans it has been essential to educate people on the meaning of a "Sustainable" society. Without proper education, Agenda 21 would have failed. The people working with the implementation of Agenda 21 recognize the importance of seeing this as a process. Time is needed and one must accept that the process is sometimes slow. People are at different levels in understanding the issues addressed in Agenda 21 and it is time consuming to achieve the participation of all. The county has, however, found it rewarding in the long run.

Financing Local taxation system. In the long run the different projects will be self-financing. The education of employers at the companies is provided and financed by each company.

Contact Agenda 21-Sekretariatet, 781 81 Borlänge, Sweden
Åke Persson, Coordinator, Tel. +46 243 74095
Anna Kinnwall, Assist. Coordinator, Tel. +46 243 74676
Alf Thuresson, Responsible for education Tel. +46 243 74234
Maria Johansson, Tel. + 46 243 740 79
Email: agenda21@msmail.borlange.se
Web: http://www.borlange-energi.se/agenda21

Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
1 November 1997

	Agenda 21 in Borlänge County, Sweden
	Location	Borlänge county, located in central Sweden about 250 km northwest of Stockholm.
	Responsible organization	The Agenda 21 secretariat of Borlänge County.
	Description	Since 1992 the Borlänge county has incorporated the ideas of Agenda 21 in all its work. The main goal has been to activate as many different interest groups in society as possible and develop a local Agenda 21 action plan appropriate to the ideas that these groups address. The county is working "Geographically" meaning that they actually go out to meet people at home and at companies to talk about Agenda 21 and what can be done at the local level. Local canvassing showed there is great interest for local environmental issues among the inhabitants of the county. In the discussions with people, some issues of general interest have emerged such as the development of car-pools, energy and water use reduction, consumption habits and biodegradation of waste. Appropriate actions to implement the generated ideas have been carried through in many residential areas. Next phase will involve the largest residential area in the city with a large number of local community organizations and ethnic minority groups.
	Issues addressed	Integrated implementation of agenda 21 at the local level.
	Objectives	To promote and encourage people at all levels to participate in the implementation of the ideas generated in Agenda 21. Environmental considerations should be incorporated in all planning at all levels in the county. To strengthen cooperation within and between the public and private sectors and make people understand their responsibility for the local, regional and global environment.
	Results achieved	Local engagement for the ideas presented in the local Agenda 21. Increased awareness and motivation in taking action to improve the environment.
	Lessons learned	In order to develop local action plans it has been essential to educate people on the meaning of a "Sustainable" society. Without proper education, Agenda 21 would have failed. The people working with the implementation of Agenda 21 recognize the importance of seeing this as a process. Time is needed and one must accept that the process is sometimes slow. People are at different levels in understanding the issues addressed in Agenda 21 and it is time consuming to achieve the participation of all. The county has, however, found it rewarding in the long run.
	Financing	Local taxation system. In the long run the different projects will be self-financing. The education of employers at the companies is provided and financed by each company.
	Contact	Agenda 21-Sekretariatet, 781 81 Borlänge, Sweden Åke Persson, Coordinator, Tel. +46 243 74095 Anna Kinnwall, Assist. Coordinator, Tel. +46 243 74676 Alf Thuresson, Responsible for education Tel. +46 243 74234 Maria Johansson, Tel. + 46 243 740 79 Email: agenda21@msmail.borlange.se Web: http://www.borlange-energi.se/agenda21