Increasing environmental sensitivity within government policies

National governments have many obligations on the environmental front. Whilst they may work in close collaboration with others, they have the ultimate responsibility for national policy development and implementation, enforcing national environmental legislation, ensuring national level compliance with international agreements, public education and awareness building, and so on. A climate of stability is required before national decision makers will turn their attention to the environment and make real headway on environmental problems. Likewise, good governance and security are prerequisites for sustainable development, and it is up to citizens, governments and multilateral organizations to bring these about, both within and across national boundaries.