Met at Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992 Reaffirmed the Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human

Environment, adopted at Stockholm on 16 June 1972

With the goal of establishing a new and equitable global partnership creation of new levels of cooperation among States, key sectors of societies and people, Working towards international agreements which respect the interests of all, and protect the integrity of the global environmental and developmental system, Recognizing the integral and interdependent nature of the Earth, our home,

1.

Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

2.
3.

Agenda 21
Statement of principles to guide the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change Convention on Biological Diversity

4.

5.

Recognized the integral and interdependent nature of the Earth The nations adopted a set of principles to guide future development 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 only way to have long term economic progress is to link it with environmental protection

Nations should establish a new and equitable global partnership involving

governments, their people and key sectors of societies

The Rio principles include the following ideas:

Entitlement to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature

Development must not undermine the developmental and environmental

needs of present and future generations Nations have the sovereign right to exploit their own resources, but without causing environmental damage beyond their borders Nations shall develop international laws to provide compensation for damage that activities under their control cause to areas beyond their borders Nations shall use the precautionary approach to protect the environment Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, scientific uncertainty shall not be used to postpone cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation

 In order to achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of the development process, and cannot be considered in isolation from it. Eradicating poverty and reducing disparities in living standards in different parts of the world are essential to achieve sustainable development Nations shall cooperate to conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity of the Earths ecosystem. The developed countries acknowledge the responsibility that they bear in the international pursuit of sustainable development in view of the

pressures their societies place on the global environment and of the

technologies and financial resources they command.

 Nations should reduce and eliminate unsustainable

patterns of production and consumption, and promote

appropriate demographic policies. Nations shall enact effective environmental laws, and

develop national law regarding liability for the victims of

pollution and other environmental damage. Nations shall assess the environmental impact of

proposed activities that are likely to have a significant

adverse impact.

 Nations should cooperate to promote an open international economic system that will lead to economic growth and sustainable development in all countries. Environmental policies should not be used as an unjustifiable means of restricting international trade.

The polluter should, in principle, bear the cost of pollution.

Nations shall warn one another of natural disasters or activities that may have harmful trans-boundary impacts. Sustainable development requires better scientific understanding of the problems. Nations should share knowledge and innovative technologies to achieve the goal of sustainability.

 The full participation of women is essential to achieve sustainable development. The creativity, ideals and courage of youth and the knowledge of indigenous people are needed too. Nations should recognize and support the identity, culture and interests of indigenous people. Warfare is inherently destructive of sustainable development, and Nations shall respect international laws protecting environment in times of armed conflict, and shall cooperate in their further establishment. Peace, development and environmental protection are interdependent and indivisible.

Principle 1 Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. Principle 2 States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental and developmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that

activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage

to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

Principle 3
The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.

Principle 4
In order to achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it.

Principle 5
All States and all people shall cooperate in the essential task of eradicating poverty as an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, in order to decrease the disparities in standards of living and better meet the needs of the majority of the people of the world.

Principle 6
The special situation and needs of developing countries, particularly the least developed and those most environmentally vulnerable, shall be given special priority. International actions in the field of environment and development should also address the interests and needs of all countries.

Principle 7
States shall cooperate in a spirit of global partnership to conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity of the Earth's ecosystem. In view of the different contributions to global environmental degradation, States have common but differentiated responsibilities. The developed countries acknowledge the

responsibility that they bear in the international pursuit to sustainable development

in view of the pressures their societies place on the global environment and of the technologies and financial resources they command.

Principle 8 To achieve sustainable development and a higher quality of life for all people, States should reduce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of production and consumption and promote appropriate demographic policies. Principle 9 States should cooperate to strengthen endogenous capacitybuilding for sustainable development by improving scientific understanding through exchanges of scientific and technological

knowledge, and by enhancing the development, adaptation,

diffusion and transfer of technologies, including new and innovative technologies.

Principle 10
Environmental issues are best handled with participation of all concerned citizens, at the relevant level. At the national level, each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, including

information on hazardous materials and activities in their

communities, and the opportunity to participate in decisionmaking processes. States shall facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation available. Effective access by making information widely to judicial and administrative

proceedings, including redress and remedy, shall be provided.

Principle 11 States shall enact effective environmental legislation. Environmental standards, management objectives and priorities should reflect the environmental and development context to which they apply. Standards applied by some countries may be inappropriate and of unwarranted economic and social cost to other countries, in particular developing countries.

Principle 12
States should cooperate to promote a supportive and open international economic system that would lead to economic growth and sustainable development in all countries, to better address the problems of environmental degradation. Trade policy measures for environmental purposes should not constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade. Unilateral actions to deal with environmental challenges outside the jurisdiction of the importing country should be avoided. Environmental measures addressing trans-boundary or global environmental problems should, as far as possible, be based on an international consensus.

Principle 13 States shall develop national law regarding liability and compensation for the victims of pollution and other environmental damage. States shall also cooperate in an expeditious and more determined manner to develop further international law regarding liability and compensation for adverse effects of environmental damage caused by activities within their jurisdiction or control to areas beyond their jurisdiction.

Principle 14 States should effectively cooperate to discourage or prevent the relocation and transfer to other States of any activities and substances that cause severe environmental degradation or are found to be harmful to human health.

Principle 15
In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.

Principle 16 National authorities should endeavour to promote the internalization of environmental costs and the use of economic instruments, taking into account the approach that the polluter should, in principle, bear the cost of pollution, with due regard to the public interest and without distorting international trade and investment. Principle 17 Environmental impact assessment, as a national instrument, shall

be undertaken for proposed activities that are likely to have a

significant adverse impact on the environment and are subject to a decision of a competent national authority.

Principle 18
States shall immediately notify other States of any natural disasters or other emergencies that are likely to produce sudden harmful effects on the environment of those States. Every effort shall be made by the international community to help States so

afflicted.

Principle 19
States shall provide prior and timely notification and relevant information to potentially affected States on activities that may

have a significant adverse transboundary environmental effect and

shall consult with those States at an early stage and in good faith.

Principle 20 Women have a vital role in environmental management and development. Their full participation is therefore essential to achieve sustainable development.

Principle 21 The creativity, ideals and courage of the youth of the world should be mobilized to forge a global partnership in order to achieve sustainable development and ensure a better future for all.

Principle 22

Indigenous people and their communities and other local

communities have a vital role in environmental management and development because of their knowledge and traditional practices. States should recognize and duly support their identity, culture and interests and enable their effective participation in the achievement of sustainable development.

Principle 23 The environment and natural resources of people under

oppression, domination and occupation shall be protected.

Principle 24 Warfare is inherently destructive of sustainable development. States shall therefore respect international law providing protection for the environment in times of armed conflict and cooperate in its further development, as necessary. Principle 25 Peace, development and environmental protection are interdependent and indivisible. Principle 26 States shall resolve all their environmental disputes peacefully and by appropriate means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

Principle 27 States and people shall cooperate in good faith and in a spirit of partnership in the ful-filment of the principles embodied in this Declaration and in the further development of international law in the field of sustainable development.

Agenda 21, adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, reflects a global consensus and political commitment at the highest level on development and environment cooperation. The agenda deals with both the pressing problems of today and the need to prepare for the challenges of the next century. It recognizes that sustainable development is primarily the

responsibility of governments, and this will require national strategies, plans and policies. The efforts of nations need to be linked by international cooperation through such organizations as the United Nations. The broadest public participation, and the active involvement of the non-governmental organizations and other groups should also be encouraged.

The objectives of Agenda 21 require substantial new financial assistance for developing countries. They need this additional support to cover the incremental costs of actions to deal with global environmental problems, and to accelerate sustainable development. Money is also needed to allow international bodies to implement the recommendations of Agenda 21.

Agenda 21 explains that population, consumption and technology are the primary driving forces of environmental change.

It lays out what needs to be done to reduce wasteful and inefficient

consumption patterns in some parts of the world while encouraging increased but sustainable development in others.

It offers policies and programmes to achieve a sustainable balance between consumption, population and the Earths life-supporting capacity.

It describes some of technologies and techniques that need to be developed to provide for human needs while carefully managing natural resources.

It provides options for combating degradation of the land, air and

water, conserving forests and the diversity of species of life.

It deals with poverty and excessive consumption, health and education, cities and farmers.

There are roles for everyone: governments, business people, trade

unions, scientists, teachers, indigenous people, women, youth and children.

It does not shun business. It says that sustainable development is

the way to reverse both poverty and environmental destruction.

A major theme of Agenda 21 is the need to eradicate poverty by giving poor people more access to the resources they need to live sustainably.

Industrialized countries recognized that they have a greater role in cleaning up the environment than poor nations, who produce

relatively less pollution.

The richer nations also promised more funding to help other nations develop in ways that have lower environmental impacts. Beyond funding, nations need help in building the expertise the capacity to plan and carry out sustainable development decisions.

This will require the transfer of information and skills.

It calls on governments to adopt national strategies for sustainable development.

It puts most of the responsibility for leading change on national governments, but says they need to work in a broad series of partnerships with international organizations, business, regional, state, provincial and local governments, non-governmental and citizens groups.

It says, only a global partnership will ensure that all nations will have a safer and more prosperous future.

Human activities are releasing substantial amounts of gases, including carbon dioxide, that increase the natural greenhouse effect in the Earths atmosphere.

There is concern the addition of such gases will cause a further warming of the Earths surface and atmosphere, and this warming will have

adverse effects on humans and natural ecosystems.

A number of regions are particularly vulnerable. They include: low-lying and other small island states; low-lying coastlines and flood-prone areas; areas liable to drought and desertification and fragile mountain ecosystems.

Countries should protect the worlds climate system for the benefit of present and future generations. Under the United Nations Charter, countries have the right to exploit their own resources, but they have the responsibility to ensure that activities under their control do not cause damage to the environment beyond their borders.

The global nature of climate change requires the widest possible

cooperation by all countries and their participation in an effective and appropriate international response. Countries should enact effective environmental legislation to control greenhouse gas emissions and should ensure the functioning of natural processes that can remove some of the gases from the atmosphere.

The ultimate goal of the climate change Convention is to stabilize greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at levels that will not dangerously upset the global climate system. This should be done within a time frame that allows ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, ensures that food production is not threatened and enables economic

development to proceed in a sustainable manner.

Developed nations, as well as a number of countries whose economies are in transition, such as in eastern Europe, shall adopt national policies and take measures to limit emissions of greenhouse gases. They shall also protect and improve forests and oceans, that act as sinks and reservoirs for greenhouse gases.

Most of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions have come and continue to come from developed countries, and they should take the lead in combating climate change and its adverse effects.

The aim for these nations is to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to 1990 levels. (The emissions of some other greenhouse gases, which also damage the ozone layer, are being controlled under other international agreements.)

On a per person basis, greenhouse gas emissions from developing countries are still relatively low. For these countries, the first and overriding priorities are economic and social development, and eradication of poverty. The developing nations share of global emissions will grow as their economies expand, and they use more energy.

Some

actions

to

address

climate

change

can

be

justified

economically, and can also help in solving other environmental problems. But a number of countries, particularly developing nations whose economies are dependent on fossil fuels, may have serious difficulties in switching to alternative fuels.

There are still many uncertainties about the timing, magnitude and
regional impacts of climate change, but where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty should

not be used as a reason for postponing controls.

Developed countries shall help developing nations deal with requirements of Convention and the effects of climate change by: Providing money and technological assistance to help these nations measure flows of greenhouse gases. Assisting countries that are particularly vulnerable to harmful

effects of climate change to meet the costs of adaptation.

Providing environmentally sound technologies and know-how, as well as supporting the development of technologies within these nations.

All nations are to:

Provide information on quantities of greenhouse gases they release, and how much is absorbed by their sinks. Publish regular updates on programs to control emissions, and to adapt to climate change.

Promote the sound management and conservation of such

greenhouse gas sinks as plants, forests and oceans. Cooperate in planning for the impacts of climate change on coastal zones, water resources and agriculture.

Cooperate in the protection of areas prone to floods or drought,

particularly in Africa.

Although climate change needs to be dealt with, nations should also promote an international economic system that would lead to sustainable economic growth and development in all countries, particularly developing countries. This will make them better able to deal with the problems of climate change. Measures taken to combat climate change should not be used to arbitrarily restrict international trade.

The convention sets up a specific group to help in the transfer of funds and technology to assist nations in controlling greenhouse gases and dealing

with climate change. It will include the Global Environment Facility of the
United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The worlds biological diversity the variability among living organisms is valuable for ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic reasons.

The diversity is important for evolution, and for maintaining the lifesustaining systems of the biosphere. The conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity are of critical importance to meet the food, health and other needs of the growing world population.

However, biological diversity is being significantly reduced by certain human activities, and it is vital to anticipate, prevent and attack the causes of this

loss. Substantial investments are required to conserve biological diversity,

but they will pay off with a broad range of environmental, economic and social benefits.

The world needs to conserve biological diversity and make sustainable use of its components in a fair and equitable way.

Sustainable use means use in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity. The uses include those of genetic material, which is any plant, animal, microbial or other material containing functional units of heredity.

Countries have rights over their biological resources, but they are also responsible for conserving their biological diversity and for using their

biological resources in a sustainable manner.

Nations that sign the Convention shall:

Identify the components of biological diversity important for conservation and sustainable use, and monitor activities which may have adverse impacts to this diversity. Develop national strategies, plans or programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Make conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity part of planning and policy-making. Use the media and educational programmes to help people understand the importance of biological diversity and need for measures to conserve it. Establish laws to protect threatened species, develop systems of protected areas to conserve biological diversity, and promote environmentally sound development around these areas.

 Rehabilitate and restore degraded ecosystems and promote the recovery of threatened species, helping local people to develop and carry out these remedial plans. Establish means to control the risks from organisms modified by biotechnology. Use environmental impact assessment, with public participation, on projects that threaten biological diversity, in order to avoid or minimize damage. Prevent the introduction of, and control or eradicate alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species.

Many indigenous and local communities have a close dependence on

biological resources, and nations should make use of this traditional

knowledge of the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.

Countries are to preserve and maintain such indigenous and local knowledge and promote its wider use. This is to be done with the approval and involvement of those who have such knowledge, and these people should benefit from the use of their practices.

The Convention says that: Countries are to facilitate access to genetic materials within their borders for environmentally sound uses. Access will be allowed with the aim of sharing in a fair and equitable way the results of research and development and the benefits arising from the commercial and other uses of genetic resources. Developing countries are to have access to environmentally sound technologies that they need for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. This access will be under fair and most favourable terms, and will recognize patent rights.

 Developing

nations

are

to

receive

technical

and

scientific

assistance, so they can develop their own institutions and expertise in sustainable use of biological diversity. Countries are to consider the need for an agreement on the safe handling and use of living organisms modified by biotechnology. Developed countries that sign the convention shall provide new financial aid to developing countries to help them implement terms of the Convention.

The

initial

funding

is

handled

by

three

United

Nations

organizations involved in environment and development.