Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development called for the participation and cooperation of local authorities in support of its economic, social and environmental goals. This title emphasizes the diversity and inventiveness of local initiatives since the Rio 'Earth Summit' within different national settings.

Notes on Contributor List of Abbreviations and Acronyms Foreword Preface Acknowledgements 1. Introduction: The Nature and Purpoqe of 'Local Agenda 21' 2. Finland: Working With LA2 I Under Conditions of Economic Uncertainty Anita Niemi-lilahti 3. Sweden: Setting the Pace with Pioneer Municipalities and Schools Katarina Eckerberg, Bjorn Forsberg and Per Wickenberg 4. Norway: Confronting the Inertia of Existing Reforms Carlo Aall 5. Germany: Five Years After Rio and Still Uphill All the Way'? Christiane Beuerrnann 6. Austria: A Late Start with a Strong Potential Otto Schiitz 7. The Netherlands: Subsidized Seeds in Fertile Soil Frans H.J.M. Cocnen 8. The United Kingdom: A Mirage Beyond the Participation Hurdle? Stephen Young 9. Ireland: Does the Road from Rio Lead Rack to Brussels? Ger Mullally 10. Conclusions: Cornparative Perspectives on Evaluation and Explanation Katarina Eckerberg and William M. Lafl?rty Appendix I: Agenda 21, Chapter 28: Local Authorities Initiatives in Support of Agenda 21 Appendix 2: Country Reports on Chapter 28 of Agenda 21, Submitted to DPCSDl 'Earth Summit +5': Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York, June 23-27 1997 Appendix 3: The Bellagio Principles:Guidelines for Practical Assessment of Progress Toward Sustainable Development