AGENDA 21 OVERVIEW

Since the early 1990’s, the United Nations has significantly influenced our real estate development industry. Really? Just HOW has our industry changed and for what purpose?

The last four Presidents have all supported the conclusions and initiatives outlined at The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also called the Earth Summit, which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992.   

I have highlighted certain points of interest.

President George H. W.  Bush

The President's News Conference in Rio de Janeiro June 13, 1992 The President. “Well, let me first express my thanks and congratulations to President Collor and the Brazilian people and to all responsible for this Conference for their hospitality, for their tremendous success in hosting the Earth summit. It's obvious to all who came to Rio that the Brazilians made a special effort to accommodate so many heads of states and delegates and journalists and visitors. They managed it flawlessly, and they managed it with grace and good humor. We've had a very successful visit. We've signed a climate convention.   We've asked others to join us in presenting action plans for the implementation of the climate convention.   We've won agreement on forest principles. We found a warm reception among the G - 7 and many developing countries to our Forests for the Future initiative.   Many U.S. proposals on oceans and public participation on the importance of economic of economic instruments and free markets were included in this mammoth Agenda 21 document and the Rio Declaration.”

 

 

President William J. Clinton

President Clinton’s Council on Sustainable Development

Introduction
The President's Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD) was established by President Clinton in June 1993 to advise him on sustainable development and develop "bold, new approaches to achieve our economic, environmental, and equity goals."

"In the United States, the PCSD was conceived to formulate recommendations for the implementation of Agenda 21" 

Formally established by Executive Order #12852, the PCSD was administered as a federal advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

I The President's Council on Sustainable Development states that -

"In April 1997, President Clinton asked the council to advise him on: next steps in building a new environmental management system for the 21st century... and policies that foster U.S. leadership on sustainable development internationally. The council was also charged to ensure that social equity issues are fully integrated..."

” government using the guidelines outlined in Agenda 21.

President George W. Bush

 "Sustainable" means to create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans...

President George W. Bush
January 24, 2007
(Executive Order #13423)

Section 2 of the E.O. directs Federal agencies to implement sustainable practices for:

Energy efficiency and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Use of renewable energy.

Reduction in water consumption intensity.

Acquisition of green products and services.

Pollution prevention, including reduction or elimination of the use of toxic and hazardous chemicals and materials.

Cost-effective waste prevention and recycling programs.

Increased diversion of solid waste.

Sustainable design/high performance buildings.

Vehicle fleet management, including the use of alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels and the further reduction of petroleum consumption.

Electronics stewardship.

 

President Barack H. Obama

President Obama issued Executive Order #13575 on June 9, 2011.

This executive order established THE WHITE HOUSE RURAL COUNCIL and in part:

Executive Order

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America and in order to enhance Federal engagement with rural communities, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. 16% of the American population lives in rural counties. Strong, sustainable rural communities are essential to winning the future and ensuring American competitiveness in the years ahead.

These communities supply our food, fiber, and energy, safeguard our natural resources, and are essential in the development of science and innovation. Though rural communities face numerous challenges, they also present enormous economic potential.

The Federal Government has an important role to play in order to expand access to the capital necessary for economic growth, promote innovation, improve access to health care and education, and expand outdoor recreational activities on public lands.

To enhance the Federal Government's efforts to address the needs of rural America, this order establishes a council to better coordinate Federal programs and maximize the impact of Federal investment to promote economic prosperity and quality of life in our rural communities.

And in part: (d) identify and facilitate rural economic opportunities associated with energy development, outdoor recreation, and other conservation related activities.

  

What is Agenda 21?

“This largest-ever world meeting brought Heads of State and government officials together with international organizations and representatives of non-government organizations (NGOs) from around the world.

A 700 page global plan of action called Agenda 21 was produced as a result of the Earth Summit: it represents the consensus reached by 178 States on how we can secure our future.

Agenda 21 is like a blueprint for global partnership aiming at a high quality environment and a healthy economy for all peoples of the planet.

Agenda 21 addresses the critical issues we face as a global community: continuing damage to ecosystems, the worsening of poverty, hunger and ill health, increasing world population and illiteracy.

Agenda 21 is composed of 40 chapters that identify each challenge and propose simple realistic solutions towards sustainable development which is: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Around the world, governments, businesses, non-governmental and other organizations are already putting the ideas from Agenda 21 to work. It is crucial to maintain the momentum of the Rio process and implement the agreements that were reached. This task will require not only the leadership and funding of governments and business, but also the vision, cooperation and work of every citizen. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without all sectors of society working together.”

 

In many respects, the above overview of Agenda 21 outlines reasonable and attainable goals. However, it is important to read the fine print!

 

In subsequent blog posts, I will dissect each relevant Agenda 21 initiative which has altered our real estate development industry. It is my intent to clearly illustrate how the UN, our federal regulations and federal funding have altered the lens in which real estate development is viewed. Is it reversible? I would say YES.

In fact, the basic notion of freedom is in our land and land ownership. If our vision of freedom is altered and Agenda 21 initiatives continue to be implemented our basic rights will forever be violated.

 

We must become aware of the Agenda 21 initiatives implemented at the LOCAL LEVEL ---- where the real estate development industry is directly affected and quickly changed!