THE RIO EARTH SUMMIT

We do not inherit the earth from our fathers , we borrow it from our children .
(Inuit saying)

We cannot betray future generations. They will judge us harshly if we fail at this
critical moment. ( Gro Harlem Brundtland, Prime Minister of Norway, UNCED,
1992)

We can waste the planets, resources for few a decades more . We must realize
that one day the strom will break on the heads of future generations. For them it
will be too late. ( UN Secretary General Boutros-Ghali, UNCED, 1992)

Every bit of evidence I’ve seen persuades me we are on a course leading to

tragedy. I don’t agree with those who say the status quo is the answer. ( UNCED
Secretary General Maurice F. Strong, UNCED, 1992)

Rio de Janerio ,Brazil hosted the United Nations Conference on Environmental and
Development (UNCED) from 3-14 June 1992 which focused on the issue – The
state of the global environment and the relationship between economics , science
and the environment in a political context, in which 105 nations (Stephanie
Meakin,nov,1992, p-2) have shown their commitment towards sustainability by
participating in this summit.
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED)

 Major UN conference
 Held in Rio de Janeiro
 3rd to 14th June 1992
 The focus of this conference was the state of the global environment and
the relationship between economics, science and the environment in a
political context.
 The conference concluded with the Earth Summit, at which leaders of 105
nations gathered to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development.
HISTORY

 The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, Sweden 1972 is
staged to be the initial step towards environmental awareness in the international
community which is a new concept and the countries primarily participated were
industrially developed ones who are facing the problems with the byproducts of
industrialization.
 The Stockholm conference secured a permanent place for for the enviroment on the world’s
agenda and led to the establishment of the United Nations Enviroment Program ( UNEP).
 1978 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
 1985 Helsinki Agreement ( a 21- nation commitment to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions)
 1988 Montreal Protocol on substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; and
 1989 Basel Convention on Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes.
ISSUES ADDRESSED

 systematic scrutiny of patterns of production — particularly the production of toxic

components, such as lead in gasoline, or poisonous waste including radioactive chemicals.
 alternative sources of energy to replace the use of fossil fuels which are linked to global
climate change.
 new reliance on public transportation systems in order to reduce vehicle emissions,
congestion in cities and the health problems caused by polluted air and smoke.
 the growing scarcity of water
RESULTS

 Convention on Biological Diversity.

 Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.
 Agenda 21
 Forest Principles Results.
 Convention on Biological Diversity

 the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and
equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including by
appropriate access to genetic resources and by the appropriate transfer of relevant
technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and to technologies, and by
appropriate funding.
 developed a global strategy with guidelines for action by international, national and local
governments and institutions to save, understand, and use biodiversity sustainably and
equitably
 The U.S. was the only attending country not to sign the biodiversity treaty.
 Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

 Lead to the implementation of Kyoto Protocol.

 stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent
dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
 to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to
proceed in a sustainable manner.
 The key elements of the convention are: new and additional financial resources to meet
convention goals; promotion of transfer of technology to developing countries; and an
institutional mechanism to enable the international community to manage the climate change
problem over the long term, working with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

 to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action programs
that incorporate long-term strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership
arrangements.
 It is the first and only internationally legally binding framework set up to address the problem of
desertification. The Convention is based on the principles of participation, partnership and
decentralization the backbone of good Governance and Sustainable Development.
 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

 The Rio Declaration consisted of 27 principles intended to guide future sustainable development
around the world.
 These principles define the rights of people to development, and their responsibilities to
safeguard the common environment. They build on ideas from the Stockholm Declaration at the
1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment.
 The Rio Declaration states that the only way to have long term economic progress is to link it
with environmental protection.
 This will only happen if nations establish a new and equitable global partnership involving
governments, their people and key sectors of societies. They must build international
agreements that protect the integrity of the global environmental and the developmental
system.
 Agenda 21

 a non-binding, voluntarily implemented action plan of the United Nations with regard to
sustainable development.
 a 300-page document divided into 40 chapters that have been grouped into 4 sections:

SECTION- I : Social and Economic Dimensions is directed toward combating poverty, especially in
developing countries, changing consumption patterns, promoting health, achieving a more
sustainable population, and sustainable settlement in decision making.

SECTION-II: Conservation and Management of Resources for Development Includes

atmospheric protection, combating deforestation, protecting fragile environments, conservation
of biodiversity, control of pollution and the management of biotechnology, and radioactive
wastes.

SECTION-III : Strengthening the Role of Major Groups includes the roles of children and youth,
women, NGOs, local authorities, business and industry, and workers; and strengthening the role
of indigenous peoples, their communities, and farmers.

Section IV: Means of Implementation: implementation includes science, technology transfer,

education, international institutions and financial mechanisms.
 FOREST PRINCIPLES

 The informal name given to the Non-Legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a
Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All Types
of Forests.
 The Montreal Process, also known as the Working Group on Criteria and Indicators for the
Conservation and Sustainable Management of Temperate and Boreal Forests, was started in
1994 as a result of the Forest Principles.
 Forestry issues and opportunities should be examined in a holistic and balanced manner.
 Forests are essential to economic development and the maintenance of all forms of life.