Problem overview:

     Awareness and vision: Beijing Agenda 21 is another effort by China to decentralize sustainable policy making from the central government to local or provincial governments. Beijing is the first province to have its own local Agenda 21 along with action plants, other provinces are undergoing similar formats.

     Framework for coordination: Much coordination is needed for developing local sustainable development strategy otherwise these strategies might not coincide with national policies.

Background:

      Urban renewal and pollution abatement, integrating national and local Agenda 21 visions.

      Large cities are facing serious economic problems throughout the world and many of these problems act synergistically with deteriorating environmental conditions. The worse the environmental conditions, the poorer economic performance. In this example Beijing works to create its local Agenda 21 in harmony with the National Agenda 21, and to formulate an action plan to implement this vision.

      Beijing, the Capital of People's Republic of China and a metropolis in the world, has 10.86 million of registered permanent residents. Beijing has developed quickly in its economy, society and city construction in recent decade years, and meanwhile it is facing various challenges in the fields of population, resource and environment.

      Sustainable development has become an inevitable choice in the coming 21st century for the coordinated development of economy, society and environment.

• 1994, Beijing was selected as one of the pilot cities on integrating China's Agenda 21 into the State Economy and Social Development Planning, and set an example for local government of province level or below.
  
  
• 1995, The "Beijing Municipal Leading Group for Implementing China's Agenda 21" and its office was set up. The main responsibility of this group and its office is to lead, organize and coordinate the related activities on sustainable development.
  
  
• 1996, The Beijing municipality initiated "Beijing Municipality: Addressing Key Agenda 21 SHD Issues" project cooperated with UNDP. The main purpose of this project is to carry out sustainable development in key fields like protection of drinking water sources, adjustment of energy structure, improvement of hygiene and health care in community and for the elderly, perfection of EIA system and enhancement of capacity building.
  
  

      Through carrying out these projects, Beijing can also increase capacity in incorporating sustainable development strategies into policy, plan and legislation. Furthermore, Beijing has launched great activities of advocating sustainable development, thus pushing forward the public participation and enhancing the awareness and capacity of sustainable development for all level people in Beijing.

The Action Plan

      In order to further carrying out China's Agenda 21 and sustainable development strategy, Beijing municipal government is organizing the work of drawing up "China's Agenda 21-the Beijing's Action Plan" (hereafter referred to as "Action Plan").

      The "Action Plan" is a vital component of the Capital development strategy and the guidance for sustainable development work of Beijing in the coming 21st century. It can help to make sure that the state economy and social development plan and overall plan on city construction will meet the demand of coordination with the development of population, resources and environment.

      The "Action Plan" will cover 6 areas including:

• General Strategy of Beijing Sustainable Development,
  
  
• Economy, Society and Urban Sustainable Development,
  
  
• Resource Sustainable Use, and
  
  
• Ecological Environment Protection.

      It will also include R&D of 18 special subjects such as

• Capacity Building of Sustainable Development,
  
  
• Legislation and Policy System of Sustainable Development,
  
  
• Financial Guarantee Mechanism of Sustainable Development,
  
  
• Economy and Sustainable Development,
  
  
• Industry and Sustainable Development,
  
  
• Agriculture and Rural Economy and Sustainable Development, and so on.
  
  

See also Provincial and Local Agenda 21s: Beijing