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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release June 15, 1993

                     THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL 
                    ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

WHAT: The President's Council on Sustainable Development represents a groundbreaking commitment to explore and develop policies that encourage economic growth, job creation, and effective use of our natural and cultural resources. That's what sustainable development is all about; development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the future.

WHO: The 25-member council builds a new partnership among representatives from industry and government (including Cabinet members), as well as environmental, labor, and civil rights organizations to develop bold new approaches to integrate economic and environmental policies. President Clinton has announced as cochairs of the Council: Jonathan Lash, President of the World Resources Institute, and David T. Buzzelli, Vice President and Corporate Director of Environment, Health and Safety and Public Affairs at the Dow Chemical Company. The Council will be supported by representatives of federal agencies and other organizations.

HOW: The Council's primary goals will be to:

Develop specific policy recommendations for a national strategy for sustainable development that can be implemented by the public and private sectors;
Respond to the recommendations in Agenda 21, the comprehensive international policy declaration nations of the world agreed to at the Earth Summit as a pledge to global environmental action, and contribute to the U.S. plan to be submitted to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, the international commission created at the Earth Summit to help ensure implementation of Agenda 21;
Sponsor projects that demonstrate and test the viability of the Council's recommendations and that encourage comprehensive approaches;
Establish links with other non-governmental organizations within and outside the United States;
Recognize outstanding sustainable development achievements through an annual Presidential award; and,
Educate the public about the far-reaching opportunities in sustainable development.

The council will divide into issue-specific committees to develop strategies in particular areas such as sustainable agriculture and land use, efficient energy and transportation systems, environmental justice, eco-efficient manufacturing, environmental education and setting environmental priorities.

WHEN: The Council will meet quarterly over an initial two-year term that may be renewed for another two years. The Council's first formal meeting will be in September. In December, the Council will recommend a broad strategy for how the U.S. might achieve sustainable development goals in some of the critical areas identified in Agenda 21. In June 1994, the Council will identify specific actions that should be taken to pursue the national sustainable development strategy.

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