Headline Messages

  • The majority of SD Councils include high-level membership beyond Government, and where they do this almost always includes representation of NGOs, the private sector and academia, with usually wider civil society too.

  • More often than not, SD Councils (at least claim to) focus on both policy advice and the paricipation and/or representation of civil society and the third sector

  • Councils often cite their independence from Government, however whether true independence is achieved is difficult to judge as almost all Councils are either led by/report to/sit within government offices. This is particularly the case with the ‘interministerial’ working group Councils, on which little information is clearly available.

  • The Government office in which SD Councils usually sit is normally that which is responsible for the environment, or the Prime Minister’s Office. Many also sit in, or are associated with, economic and/or social development departments/ministries.

  • In some cases, the role of an SD Council is played by an Economic and Social (EcoSoc) Council. These sometimes acknowledge or reflect environmental priorities and/or integration in their missions or practice, but not always. In some cases (e.g. France) countries may have both an SD Council and an EcoSoc Council.

  • In some cases, Councils are dubbed ‘Environment Councils’ (or similar). These do, generally, acknowledge and address economic and social issues, if not always explicitly citing SD as an aim or tenet.

  • Europe has a strong network of SD Councils, in terms of number/frequency (although some are in flux or have been abolished); and in terms of a well-maintained, central network for coordination (the EEAC), with regular sharing and meeting, and a well-updated website.

  • ia and Latin America appear to have a healthy number of SD Councils, with some regional networking (if informal). However, it is difficult to find well-updated, clear information, at least in English.

  • Asia and Latin America appear to have a healthy number of SD Councils, with some regional networking (if informal). However, it is difficult to find well-updated, clear information, at least in English.

  • African Councils are less clear, and where found are mainly interministerial or sit directly within Government.

  • Councils worldwide are often chaired by a Government Minister (including the Prime Minister) – might this be considered a biased approach? A key question for Councils may be on whether ‘independence’ (both in position and in Chairs) helps or hinders. (i.e with independence the Council may be able to determine its own course of work, but does it have such traction with Government?)

  • India’s Council presents an interesting alternative model – it is composed of international experts, invited by India to provide expertise (and contacts) from their respective national and/or international perspectives – might this provide a truly independent and representative Council?