Commentators point to two major features of this agreement:

• No longer can social, economic and environmental development be seen as separate issues, their interdependence has become clearly established; and
• It was formulated in negotiations involving an unprecedented number of people and range of organisations, an intensification of the process of global democratization seen as essential for the 21st century.

Agenda 21 is a guide for individuals, businesses and governments in making choices for less environmentally destructive developments, and ultimately a challenge to translate understanding into action in developing sustainable lifestyles. The alternative to this action is unacceptable levels of human suffering and environmental damage.

Agenda 21 sees sustainable development as a way to reverse both poverty and environmental degradation. A major theme is to eradicate poverty by giving poor people more access to the resources they need to live sustainably, including information and skills. It calls upon governments working in participation with international organisations, business, regional and local governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and citizens groups to develop national strategies for sustainable development in an ongoing process of consultation and global democratization from local to international levels from 1993/4 - 1997.

Agenda 21 is a huge document, with 40 chapters in 4 sections. It deals with:

• Social and economic dimensions - developing countries, poverty, consumption patterns, population, health, human settlements, integrating environment and development.
• Conservation and management of resources – atmosphere, land, forests, deserts, mountains, agriculture, biodiversity, biotechnology, oceans, fresh water, toxic chemicals, hazardous radioactive and solid waste and sewage.
• Strengthening the role of major groups – women, children and youth, indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations, local authorities, workers, business and industry, farmers, scientists and technologists.
• Means of implementation – finance, technology transfer, science, education, capacity-building, international institutions, legal measures, and information.