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In June 1992 the United Nations held a World Conference on Global Environment and Development
at Rio de Janeiro. In essence, the main consideration was how to achieve the ideal of "meeting
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet theirs".
The agreements reached at this conference, subscribed to in whole or in part by the participating
nations, were summarised in "AGENDA 21" - literally and agenda for the 21st century. In over 500
pages and 40 chapter headings it sets out a programme for sustainable usage and development of the
earth’s resources.
In the UK, councils at County and District levels were instructed to produce, by the end of 1996,
local versions of the Agenda. Dacorum, along with hundreds of similar authorities, commenced the
process of producing its own version of "Local Agenda 21".
In order to meet the requirement for such a local plan, which had to involve full consultation
with the community, it was agreed that a suitable forum should be set up to encourage debate and
Dacorum Borough Council facilitated the formation of DACORUM ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM (DEF).
The DEF held its first Meeting on 25th November 1993 when more than 50 people representing over 30
different bodies attended. The vision behind the formation of DEF was that it would be a free-ranging
and lively body of people working together to stimulate action through the involvement of the whole
Dacorum community. The make-up of the membership comprised individuals, environmental groups, schools,
businesses, the various local Councils and both statutory and non-statutory organisations.
A number of working groups were formed to consider aspects of various subjects, such as Water
resources, Transport, Litter, Recycling, Nature conservation , Access to open spaces, Cycling,
Waste management, etc. The reports and recommendations from these groups, together with the outcomes
of the debates and discussions within the Forum helped greatly to inform the contents of the
Dacorum Local Agenda 21 strategy for the Borough. Since then, DEF has continued to monitor
the progress of the Agenda and to contribute to additions and amendments to and development of
the strategy. Much of the thrust of the Local Agenda 21 is now being incorporated into the Community
Plan, which is updated on a regular basis with considerable input on environmental aspects by DEF.
Some of the working groups continue to this day where their contributions are ongoing.
Over the years DEF has been responsible for the promotion of a number of important environmental
initiatives, such as, for example, the Biodiversity Action Plan, and has worked with the
Herfordshire Records Centre, the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, Groundwork Trust,
Countryside Management Service, Boxmoor Trust etc. etc.
DEF meets on a quarterly basis and is open to anyone interested in the preservation of the
environment for future generations.
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