Chapter 1 - Preamble

Section 1 - Social & Economic Dimensions

Section 2 - Conservation and Management of Resources

Section 3 - Strengthening the Role of Major Groups

Section 4 - Means of Implementation
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40

Complete text of Agenda 21: Chapter 40
Chapter 40: Information for Decision-Making

There is already a wealth of information that could be used for the management of sustainable development, but many people have trouble finding the information they need when they need it.

In many countries, information that exists is not adequately managed due to shortages of technology and trained specialists, lack of awareness of the value and availability of such information, and to the demands of other immediate problems. This is especially true in the developing world, and the gap in the availability, quality, and accessibility of data between the developed and the developing world has been increasing.

There is also a need for different types of information. Commonly used indicators such as gross national product (GNP) and measurements of individual resource or pollution flows do not provide enough information about sustainability. We need to use environmental, demographic, social and developmental information to produce indicators that show us if we are creating a more sustainable world.

Sustainable development information needs to be provided to people who need it, when they need it, and in forms they can understand. Countries should ensure that local communities and resource users get the information and skills needed to manage their environment and resources sustainably. In some cases, they need to apply traditional and indigenous knowledge.

Countries and international organizations should provide environment, resource and development data needed for the management of sustainable development to people at all levels, and in forms that are understandable. People need:

• More information about the state of urban air, fresh water, land resources (including forests and rangelands), desertification, soil degradation, biodiversity, the high seas and the upper atmosphere.
• More information about population, urbanization, poverty, health and rights of access to resources. Information is needed about the relationships of groups, including women, indigenous peoples, youth, children and the disabled with environment issues.

This should make it easier to produce sustainable development indicators that can be worked into national reports, such as those on the performance of the economy. United Nations programmes to monitor the health of the environment and economic development should be strengthened. Information from both sectors should be used to create a sustainable development watch.

In the case of costly and sophisticated information systems, such as data from satellites, developing countries will need assistance to acquire and use the technologies. Sustainable development information held by companies should also be used and, in some cases, subsidies may be needed to help developing countries get access to this material.