When the role of local government in UNCED follow‐up, and more generally in promoting sustainable development, is examined, and when Agenda 21 and the Framework Convention on Climate Change, together with, parallel commitments under the EC's Fifth Environmental Programme, are also taken into account, it must be concluded that increased involvement by local government in international environmental issues is probably inevitable. But its effectiveness in different countries will be greatly influenced by broader factors such as the relative centrality of sustainable development in national policy process, the overall health and vigour of local government, and the nature of the relationship between local and central government. Britain faces particular problems in this area which are likely to damage the effectiveness of local government's contribution.