"In 1992, over 150 countries signed a declaration committing themselves to make future economic development more ecologically-sound, this is now commonly referred to as Agenda 21. In the UK, based upon the principle of 'think globally, act locally', local councils have been at the forefront in developing their own particular versions of Agenda 21.

The Durham Partnership comprises 250 businesses and other organisations committed to a sustainable future for the County. Working across all sectors - public, private and voluntary - the partnership is finding local solutions to global problems. The 50 projects being promoted include a school's wind turbine and a village tackling mine water pollution. The Bank supports seminars on issues concerning business such as integrating quality and environmental management, waste minimisation, energy conservation, environmental legislation and clean technology. Over 150 businesses have attended the seminars so far and more areplanned. Kingsley Smith, Chief Executive of Durham County Council, said that: "These seminars are meeting a need for information and are bringing businesses into the Local Agenda 21 Partnership. The Bank's Ecology Unit has been of great service to us in understanding the needs of business "."