ANPED is a democratic alliance and network of over 100 local and national NGOs, national NGO networks, and other environment and development groups in the Northern hemisphere. ANPED works to empower Northern Civil Society in creating and protecting sustainable communities and societies world-wide. The alliance was set up in 1991 before the UN Earth Summit in recognition of the fact that northern NGOs have special responsibilities with regard to the impact of the richer northern nations on the poorer south. This relates especially to issues of sustainable consumption and production. Since 1992 ANPED has developed a second major role: it offers a way for NGOs in the eastern and western parts of the northern hemisphere to work together. A majority of members are now from nations in Eastern Eu