Title:Background Information on Sustainable Development Council
Date: 14 Jun 93 21:08:12 UT
Almanac-Area:
THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL
ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
WHAT: The President's Council on Sustainable Development
represents a groundbreaking commitment to explore and develop
policies that encourage economic growth, job creation, and
effective use of our natural and cultural resources. That's what
sustainable development is all about; development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the future.
WHO: The 25-member council builds a new partnership among
representatives from industry and government (including Cabinet
members), as well as environmental, labor, and civil rights
organizations to develop bold new approaches to integrate economic
and environmental policies. President Clinton has announced as co-
chairs of the Council: Jonathan Lash, President of the World
Resources Institute, and David T. Buzzelli, Vice President and
Corporate Director of Environment, Health and Safety and Public
Affairs at the Dow Chemical Company. The Council will be supported
by representatives of federal agencies and other organizations.
HOW: The Council's primary goals will be to:
o Develop specific policy recommendations for a national
strategy for sustainable development that can be implemented by
the public and private sectors;
o Respond to the recommendations in Agenda 21, the
comprehensive international policy declaration nations of the
world agreed to at the Earth Summit as a pledge to global
environmental action, and contribute to the U.S. plan to be
submitted to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable
Development, the international commission created at the Earth
Summit to help ensure implementation of Agenda 21;
o Sponsor projects that demonstrate and test the viability of
the Council's recommendations and that encourage comprehensive
approaches;
o Establish links with other non-governmental organizations
within and outside the United States;
o Recognize outstanding sustainable development achievements
through an annual Presidential award; and,
o Educate the public about the far-reaching opportunities in
sustainable development.
The council will divide into issue-specific committees to
develop strategies in particular areas such as sustainable
agriculture and land use, efficient energy and transportation
systems, environmental justice, eco-efficient manufacturing,
environmental education and setting environmental priorities.
WHEN: The Council will meet quarterly over an
initial two-year term that may be
renewed for another two years. The Council's first formal meeting
will be in September. In December, the Council will recommend a
broad strategy for how the U.S. might achieve sustainable
development goals in some of the critical areas identified in
Agenda 21. In June 1994, the Council will identify specific
actions that should be taken to pursue the national sustainable
development strategy.
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-- Charles M. Morgan Communications and Information Technology U.S. Department of Agriculture Room 3335 South Building Washington, D.C. 20250-0900 INTERNET: cmorgan@esusda.gov VOICE: 202-690-3656