Achievements of the Earth Summit

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE EARTH SUMMIT

by Antonio C. Antonio

The Earth Summit of 1992 held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is the benchmark for environmental programs and plans.  It will be a good idea for everyone to re-visit and review the achievements of the Earth Summit to visualize and actualize what has transpired so far, where we are and what should we expect.  So far, the major achievements of the Earth Summit were:

1. Recognition that the increasingly serious environmental and development problems facing the world require global solutions;
2. Recognition that solutions to these problems require cooperation between nations and between all sectors of society; and,
3. Recognition that the well-being of humanity depends on the well-being of nature. 

The Earth Summit was successful in bringing environmental problems and concern in the mainstream discussion.  It ushered-in a new age where the world begun taking environmental issue more seriously.  Of the many outcomes from the Earth Summit, there were 5 key agreements adopted by consensus, namely:

1. The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development which states that “human beings are at the center of concerns for sustainable development and that they are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.”
2. Agenda 21 which sets the common framework of action for all countries to achieve sustainable development.
3. Forest Principles which covers the management, conservation and sustainable development of all forests.
4. A Framework Convention on Climate Change which seeks to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions in the earth’s atmosphere.
5. A Convention on Protection of Biological Diversity the objective of which is to achieve the sustainable management and conservation of the world’s biological diversity while ensuring that the benefits from these genetic resources are fairly distributed.

Rio+20 Earth Summit held in June 2012 was met with disappointment and division.  “The Future We Want,” a document that reported on the achievements of Earth Summit 1992, was released in the summit.  While a majority declared the Earth Summit as “a pathway for sustainable century” and to set global sustainable development and other measures to strengthen global environmental management, tighten protection of the oceans, improve food security and promote a “green economy,” there are sectors of environmentalists and anti-poverty campaigners who say that that the so-called  achievements lacked the detail and ambition needed to address the challenges posed by a deteriorating environment, worsening inequality and a global population expected to rise to 9 billion by 2050.  At the core of the complaints is the question of leadership.  Greenpeace International Executive Director Kumi Naidoo was quoted as saying:  “We didn’t get the Future We Want I Rio because we do not have the leaders we need.  The leaders of the most powerful countries supported business as usual, shamefully putting private profit before people and the planet.”  There really is cause for alarm since global emissions have risen by 48%, 300 million hectares of forest have been cleared and the global population has by 1.6 billion and 1 of every 6 people are malnourish since 1992 when the first Earth Summit was held. 

20 years of Agenda 21 seemingly has failed to increase the level of awareness of people on the imperative to take care of the environment.  But what choice do we have?  At least we have a roadmap (Agenda 21) that we could use… better than the so-called environmentalists who often sound like “Prophets of Doom.”  It’s really politically impossible to satisfy everyone.  But, certainly, there is still a need to create a critical mass of environmental believers not only to increase the necessary awareness factor but to also increase the commitment level of people in caring for the environment.  A more intensive environmental campaign should, perhaps, be the solution.  Personally, I would rather think that the Earth Summit was a good beginning… just needing more push.

My research to establish a timeline to show the achievements of the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil revealed that even prior to the actual holding of the summit in June 1992, some preparatory steps have already been made.  Most of these gatherings are spadework for subsequent forging of agreements and achievements of the Earth Summit, such as:

• April 29, 1961 – The World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature was created which is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment.  Formerly named the World Wildlife Fund.
• November 22, 1965 – The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) was created with the merger of the expanded Programme of Technical Assistance (EPTA) and the United Nations Special Fund.
• 1969 – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was created.  It funds assistance, research, and advocacy programs involving the promotion of the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.
• June 16, 1972, the United Nations Conference on Human Environment was held in Stockholm, Sweden where the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) was created to address the need for a common outlook and for common principles to inspire and guide the peoples of the world in preservation and enhancement of the human environment.
• In March 1977, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) convened a conference that adopted a World Plan of Action on the Ozone Layer and established a Coordinating Committee to guide future international action on ozone protection.
• February 23, 1979, the First World Climate Conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) about global issues particularly global warming in addition to climate research and forecasting.
• December 10, 1982 – The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea came into force.
• In December 1983, the United Nations General Assembly created the United Nations Commission on Environment and Development otherwise known as the Brundtland Commission.  Formally known as the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), its mission is to unite countries to pursue sustainable development together.
• March 22, 1985 – In the Vienna Convention, the UNEP Governing Council adopted an agreement for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.
• In1987, the Brundtland Commission published the first volume of “Our Common Future” which strongly influenced the Earth Summit in 1992 and the 3^rd United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002.
• In 1987, the Stakeholder Forum for Sustainable Future (originally as UNEP-UK) was set up as the first National Committee for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• September 16, 1987 – 197 parties adopted the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer designed to reduce the production and consumption of ozone depleting substances in order to reduce their abundance in the atmosphere and therefore protect the earth’s fragile Ozone Layer.
• January 1, 1989 – The Montreal Protocol on Substances the Deplete the Ozone Layer was entered into force.  In the same year in Basel, Switzerland, 121 countries adopted the Basel Convention on hazardous wastes the first meeting on the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was held in Helsinki, Finland.
• June 15, 1990 – The Brazilian Forum of NGOs and Social Movements for the Environment and Development (FBOMS) was created in order to facilitate the participation of civil society in the process of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
• November 7, 1990 – The Second World Climate Conference was an important step towards a global climate treaty.  Sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other international organizations, the conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland with its main objectives were to review the UNEP/WMO World Climate Programme (WCP) and to recommend policy actions.
• In 1990, the First United Nations Human Development Report opened with the simply-stated premise that has guided all subsequent Report: “People are the real wealth of a nation.”  By backing-up this assertion with an abundance of empirical data and a new way of thinking about and measuring development, the Human Development Report had a profound impact on development policies around the world.
• In September 1990, the International Council for Local Environment Initiatives (ICLEI) was founded.  It is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that made a commitment to sustainable development.
• In 1990, the First Assessment Report (FAR) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was completed to serve as the basis of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• In 1990, revisions were made on the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in London, United Kingdom.
• In 1991, further revisions were made on the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in Nairobi, Kenya.  This was administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).  Also in 1991, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) was launched with the World Bank, the UN Development Program and UNEP as implementing agencies was launched.  After the Earth Summit, the GEF was restructured to become the main source of multilateral lending to countries with global environmental projects.  Initial funding was $4.2 billion for projects and $11 billion in co-financing.
• A month before the Earth Summit, on May 5, 1992, the Basel Convention on hazardous waste outlawed the export of hazardous waste from developed to developing countries which do not have the technology for safe disposal.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE EARTH SUMMIT: (Significant Events)

• June 3 to 14, 1992 – Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil otherwise known as the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).  Agenda 21 was endorsed by 108 heads of State and Government making “sustainable development” as the keywords in developmental planning.  Rio Declaration on Environment and Development reaffirming the Declaration of the United Nations Conference on Human Environment (adopted at Stockholm on June 16, 1972) with the goal of establishing a new and equitable global partnership through the creation of new levels of cooperation among States, key sectors of societies and people and working towards international agreements which respect the interests of all and protect the integrity of the global environmental and developmental systems.  The Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) organized the World Women’s Congress for a Healthy Planet which jointly worked on a strategy for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) was institutionalized in the Earth Summit.  The Forest Principles is a document produced at that Earth Summit.  Although a non-legally binding document, it makes several recommendations for conservation and sustainable development forestry.  121 countries outlawed the export of toxic waste from developed to developing countries which do not have enough technology for their disposal was adopted in the Earth Summit.  Also known as the Cartagena Protocol.  The objective of Protocol is ensuring an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking into account risks to human health.  The World Business Council for Sustainable Development is a global association of some 200 international companies dealing exclusively with business and sustainable development.  In the Earth Summit, a forum called “Business Council for Sustainable Development” and promoted the concept of Eco-efficiency.
• November 25, 1992 – Additional revisions were made on the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in Copenhagen, Denmark.
• In December 1992, the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was established as a functional commission on the United Nations Economic and Social Council implementing the recommendation of Agenda 21.
• November 19, 1993 – Another round of revisions was made on the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in Bangkok, Thailand.
• December 29, 1993 – At the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified by 183 nations which obligated countries to protect plant and animal species through habitat preservation and other means.
• March 21, 1994 – At the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 165 signatory countries pledged to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gasses to 1990 levels by year 2000 was entered into force.
• May 6, 1994 – A United Nations Conference was held in Barbados to address the problem of supporting countries situated in small islands on their development, climate change and natural disaster concerns.
• September 13, 1994 – A United Nations Conference on Population and Development was held in Cairo, Egypt.  Its resulting Program of Action is the steering document for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
• March 12, 1995 – The Social Summit held in Copenhagen, Denmark where a programme of action for alleviating and reducing poverty, expanding productive employment and enhancing social integration was adopted.
• July 31, 1995 – The South Center is an intergovernmental organization of developing countries with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.  It functions as an independent policy making body and also holds an Observer Status in the United Nations.  It established an intergovernmental Agreement (treaty) which came into force on July 31, 1995.
• August 4, 1995 – The United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement adopted and came into force.  The agreement aims to prevent overfishing and ease international tensions over competition for dwindling fish stocks by relying on regional fisheries management.  The Agreement contains key conflict settlement provisions to deter illegal fishing.
• September 15, 1995 – At the Women’s Conference held in Beijing, China, the Declaration and Platform for Action aimed at achieving greater equality and opportunity for women.
• November 3, 1995 – Governments adopted that Global Programme of Action for the Protection of Marine Environment from Land-based Activities.
• December 7, 1995 – Revisions were made on the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in Vienna, Austria.
• In 1995, the Second Assessment Report (SAR) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported on the availability of scientific and socio-economic information on climate change.
• In 1995, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) was created in a merger of the Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Industry Council for the Environment.  The WBCSD is based in Geneva, Switzerland with an office in Washington D.C.
• June 14, 1996 – In Istanbul, Turkey, the Habitat II Conference was held and this can be considered an immediate result of Agenda 21.
• December 26, 1996 – At the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification attended by 179 countries pledged a participatory approach to the problems of dry lands especially in Africa.
• February 21, 1997 – The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development came up with 100 action plans to build up the forest.  An International Panel on Forest under the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development adopted over 100 action proposals.
• June 27, 1997 – The International Panel on Forest became the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests to monitor implementation of the IPF and consensus-building for a possible Forest Treaty.
• December 11, 1997 – In Kyoto, Japan, governments agreed on a Protocol by which industrialized countries would accept legally binding targets to reduce their emission of 6 greenhouse gasses by an average of 5% below 1990 levels by 2008 to 2012.  The Protocol sets binding obligations on industrialized countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses with the goal of achieving the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropologic interference with the climate system.
• In 1997, the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) made a review on the progress Earth Summit 1992 and reported on how well countries, international organizations and sectors of civil society have responded to the challenges of the Earth Summit 1991.  This is also called “The Rio+5 Review.”
• In 1997, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Global Environmental Outlook Report 1 was made in response to the environmental reporting requirements of Agenda 21 and to a UNEP Governing Council decision in May 1995 which requested the production of a new comprehensive global state of environment report.
• July 3, 1998 – Under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UNEP, 100 governments adopted an international treaty on the sharing of information on trade in hazardous chemicals and pesticides.
• In 1998, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) fund was replenished with another $2.75 billion.
• In 1998, the Montreal Protocol was successful for the decline in chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) from 1.1 million tons in 1996 to 156,000 tons in 1998.
• July 28, 1999 – Creation of the Global Ministerial Environmental Forum under United Nations Environmental Programmer o review important and emerging policy issues in the field of environment.
• January 29, 2000 – The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, ratified by 17 countries, committed to reduce the risks of trans-boundary movement of living modifies organisms and ensures the safe use of modern biotechnologies.
• In September 2000, 147 world leaders agreed to a set of time-bound development goals central to the objectives of Agenda 21 at the United Nations Millennium Summit.  The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international development goals that were officially established following the Earth Summit of the United Nations.
• In October 2000, The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) established the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) to promote the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and to strengthen long-term political commitment to this end.
• In 2000, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Global Environmental Outlook Report 2 was made in response to the environmental reporting requirements of Agenda 21.
• December 11, 2001 – The United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement to regulate fishing on the high seas was put into force.
• In 2001, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was signed by 126 countries eliminating 12 harmful chemicals known as the “dirty dozen” including PCBs, dioxins and DDT.
• In 2001, the United Nations Forum on Forests focused on proposals to limit deforestation and generate more resources for the forestry sector.
• In 2001, the Third Assessment Report (TAR) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported on the updated availability of scientific and socio-economic information on climate change.
• In March 2002, at the International Conference on Financing for Development held in Monterrey, Mexico, governments reaffirmed the commitment to sustainable development and donor countries promised a total of $30 billion in additional resources in the next 4 years.
• August 26 to September 4, 2002 – Earth Summit was held in Johannesburg, South Africa to pursue new initiative to implement sustainable development and build a future of prosperity and security for their citizens.  These summits encompass everything associated with human beings.  Discussed also was the need to fully integrate environmental and social considerations into economic development policy.
• In 2002, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Global Environmental Outlook Report 3 was made in response to the environmental reporting requirements of Agenda 21.
• September 11, 2003 – Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety came to force.  The Cartagena Protocol is an international agreement as a supplement to the Convention on Biological Diversity.  The Biosafety Protocol seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by genetically modified organism resulting from modern biotechnology.
• February 24, 2004 – The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade is a multilateral treaty to promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemicals.  The convention promotes open exchange of information and calls on exporters of hazardous chemicals to use proper labeling, including directions on safe handling and inform purchasers of any known restrictions or ban.
• In May 2004, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is an international environmental treaty came into force.  The treaty aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants.
• February 16, 2005 - The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) or The Kyoto Protocol came into force.
• In 2006, $ 30 billion should have been donated by donor countries for use of developing countries on programs on sustainable development.
• In 2007, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Global Environmental Outlook Report 4 was made in response to the environmental reporting requirements of Agenda 21.
• In 2007, the Fourth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report was published.
• June 20 to 22, 2012 – Rio+20 or Rio Earth Summit was held also in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to discuss the progress of the 1992 Earth Summit plans and programs and all other similar environmental concerns between 1992 and 2012.

Just my little thoughts…

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