- Most often they are implemented by governments and non-profit organizations, but they also involve community members, academics, and create partnerships and coalitions. While each community has its distinct needs, stakeholders generally evaluate the indicators of sustainability with regard to system performance, policy, and rapid feedback in order to keep or alter their sustainability programs.
- Seemingly ordinary local planning and development decisions have a significant impact on global environmental sustainability (see e.g. City of Vancouver, 1990, Haughton and Hunter, 1994, Wackernagel and Rees, 1996). Although local governments are not necessarily the only agencies charged with community planning and development, they are the only locally elected, representative and accountable bodies responsible for community decision-making.
- While communities in rural areas may be keen to take more meaningful steps to combat climate change or protect marine life, communities in metropolitan centers may be more concerned with reducing poverty, supporting economic development, or improving industry and infrastructure. There are several strategies that local governments can consider to inform, involve, and empower local communities. From conducting a simple poll or in-depth survey on the main priorities to tackle, to allocating resources to the various Sustainable Development Goals, community engagement equips local governments with the insights required to guide inclusive and responsive decision-making.
