This report addresses the use of benchmarking as a management tool in the context of local authority actions towards sustainability management. The growing interest at the European policy-making level in stimulating the use of sustainability management tools and exchange of best practices among local authorities has motivated its publication. It is also a recognition that local authority's actions play a vital role in responding to the challenges of enhancing the state of the environment not only through policy-making, but also in the provision of better services and in a better informed planning process.