Global Environment Policy - Module 3 (a): Local Environmental Policy - Local Governments and Local Environmental Policy

Global Environment Policy- Module 3 (a): Local Environmental Policy -

Local Governments

andLocal Environmental Policy

Governments

Business andIndustry

NGOs andCommunities

Module 1: Global

Environmental Policy

Module 2: National


Module 3: Local


Seminar Matrix

Today

What are Local Governments?

1. Local governments2. Local authorities3. Local agencies4. City councils5. Municipalities

The level of government at the lowest level – governing the smallest political area: city town or village.

Can be called by different names:

In general the governments that controls “urban areas”

Common names: state, province, region, department, county, prefecture, district, city, township, town, borough, parish, municipality, shire, village etc..


Local governments provide a number of local services for our daily living:

•Electricity delivery•Water for household use•Sewage and sanitation•Storm water systems•Refuse removal•Fire fighting services•Municipal health services•Land ownership

• Municipal roads• Public transport• Street trading• Food markets• Parks and play areas• Public Libraries • Local tourism• etc…


In order to carry out their activities, local governments can::

•Pass laws•Approve budgets•Design and develop urban plans•Impose taxes •Charge service fees•Impose fines•Borrow money

Why are Local Governments important?

1. They are closest to citizens 2. They can influence daily life:

decisions and choices of citizens3. They act as a link to national

governments in environmental protection

4. They can monitor environmental problems as they occur

5. They can solve environmental conflicts between communities and business/industry

SomeReasons:

• Access to Basic Services• Decentralisation• Development Cooperation

• Habitat Agenda• MDGs Post-2015• United Nations Advocacy

Key Issues for Local Governments

National issues

Global issues

Sustainability activities of Local Governments

1. service provision

2. regulation

3. planning

4. community education

5. mentoring

There are five main areas of activities

Local Governments and Sustainability …1


2. regulation

3. planning


5. mentoring


2. regulation

3. planning


5. mentoring

Local governments provide essential environmental services to residents:

• waste collection and disposal• water supply• sewerage • public health services• Other



2. regulation

3. planning


5. mentoring


2. regulation

3. planning


5. mentoring

Local governments have powers to implement environmental regulations:

National standards

Local laws

Air

Water

Soil

Energy



2. regulation

3. planning


5. mentoring


2. regulation

3. planning


5. mentoring

Local governments carry out comprehensive environmental planning to protect the local environment:

EnvironmentalManagement

Strategies and Plans

• pollution control• nature conservation• environmental education• research and information• monitoring and evaluation• science and technology

Local Governments and Sustainability


2. regulation

3. planning


5. mentoring


2. regulation

3. planning


5. mentoring

Local governments links environmental protection to daily lifestyles through education:

• books and posters• websites• seminars and forums• campaigns• eco-products


Local governments become a model of sustainability for others to follow:

• Eco-office initiatives• ISO 14001-based Environmental

Management Systems• Purchase of low-polluting cars for

government work• Green purchasing• Recycling and reuse of waste


2. regulation

3. planning


5. mentoring


2. regulation

3. planning


5. mentoring

What problems are Local Governments facing?

1. Lack of finance and other resources 2. Lack of skills and expertise to handle

environmental problems3. Lack of implementation of

environmental laws4. Limitations due to national standards

and laws5. Weak support from communities and

business/industry

Someproblems:

Local Governments networking

Many cities overcome the challenges by effective networking with other cities within the country as well as outside the country.

L.G.

National Government L.G.

L.G.

Cou

ntry

Shortcomings in the national government

Shortcomings in the local government

Local Governments networking … 1

There are a number of city networks that have been established over the last few decades. Some of the different types include:

• membership networks (CityNet, ICLEI etc.) • networks led by the United Nations and other international agencies

(Kita Kyushu Initiative, Asia-Urbs, etc.) • Networks based on a particular project or issue (Eco-partnership

Initiative) • Sister-City Networks • National networks set up by ministries and local government

agencies


In general, city networking has enabled activities such as:

• exchange visits by different stakeholders • initiation of exchange programmes • signing of business-to-business partnerships • programme development of local governments, NGOs, and CBOs • engagement in voluntary and community-based activities focusing

on enhancing quality of life and environments in cities. • organization of events and activities related to urban governance and

management • study and research in urban issues related to cities • develop city-to-city and city-to-NGO/CBO linkages


Closer relations with other cities and organizations:

• city-to-city + city-to-NGO programmes and activities

• staff exchanges • investment and grants-in-aid coordinated at the

local and national level.

SomeExamples


Better human resource development and skills, activities and programme:

• training programmes participated and organized with cities and organizations

• seminars, lectures, conferences etc. jointly organized on urban issues

SomeExamples


Increased interaction with other urban stakeholders:

• initiation of programmes and activities in partnership with NGOs and CBOs in the city.

• interaction with NGOs, CBOs, and other organizations for gathering opinion and brain storming.

SomeExamples


Local governments

in Japan


What is meant by "local government" in Japan?

'Local government' in Japan is a two-tiered system, based on prefectures and municipalities:

'Prefectures' are regional-level local governments. 'Municipalities' are grassroots level local governments


Prefectural Governments in Japan

• work on major infrastructure projects such as inter-urban road construction and maintenance;

• the operation of senior high schools (Yrs 10-12)

• teacher recruitment and placement; • school curriculum development; • policing; and • hospital construction and management.

?What

do they do?

• the maintenance of resident and family registers;

• the operation of primary and junior high schools (Yrs 7-9);

• the management of water utilities; • the maintenance of local roads; • waste disposal; • fire fighting; • social aid; and • child and aged care services.

Local Governments in Japan

?What

do they do?

Local Government Financial Sources

Local Government Expenditure

Challenges: Local Governments in Japan

• Graying population and population “flight”- Retaining youth and productive elderly

• Attracting business and business opportunities- Providing land and other serices- Creating new jobs, increasing incomes

• Tourism – domestic and international- Business opportunities from tourism-related activities

• Mating a good living environment- High quality of life- Providing urban services

Next class:

Module 3: Local Environmental Policy

Governm

ents

Business andIndustry

NPOs a

ndCom

mun

ities

1 4 772

688

3 9

Class Matrix

What local environmental policies impact business and

industry? How do their activities impact the

environment? How can they help?

5

Documents

Global Environment Policy - Module 3 (a): Local Environmental Policy - Local Governments and Local Environmental Policy