Earth Summit 1992: Features, Outcomes, Importance & UPSC Notes

The Rio Summit was one of the first instances when the international community joined hands to deliberate about human development and the environment. The Earth Summit paved the way for more serious environmental discourse in the public sphere. After the Earth Summit, governments decided to consider environmental impact in all their policies and developmental projects. Although the summit was for two weeks, the preparations for the summit began in 1989. It outlined the steps to achieve sustainable development in the future. It was also a momentous event as NGOs were deeply involved in the consultative and drafting process.

This topic of the Rio Summit is essential from the perspective of General Studies Paper 3 (GS3) of the UPSC examination, particularly under the Environmental Conservation and Climate Change section. The UPSC aspirants can also get help from Testbook's UPSC CSE Coaching to boost their UPSC exam preparation! 

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What is the Rio Summit 1992?

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, or UNCED, popularly known as the Earth Summit or the Rio Summit 1992, was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 3 and 14 June 1992. The conference was convened, with the participation of representatives of 178 states, to discuss burning global environmental and socio-economic questions. It was the main result of documents such as the Rio Declaration, Agenda 21 on sustainable development, and several treaties. The affirmation of the summit that ensures that economic growth, social fairness and environmental soundness are reconciled has promoted the significance of sustainable development as a normative framework to guide contemporary global governance.

• The Rio Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in June 1992, is commonly known as the Rio Summit or Earth Summit (1992).
• It was held to discuss development and environmental issues. More than 178 countries were represented.
• Maurice Strong served as the Conference's Secretary General. He was also the Secretary General of the UN Conference on Human Environment, Stockholm (1972). He was a Canadian businessman and Under Secretary General of the UN. He referred to the Rio Summit as a "historic moment for humanity".
• The Earth Summit was not centred around a single issue but focused on developing a broad plan for approaching the environment in a fast-developing world.
• The following legally binding documents were opened for signature at the Rio Summit: the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
• The key documents from the Rio Summit are: the Rio Declaration, Agenda 21 and the Forest Principles.

Learn more about Atmosphere here.

The key points of the Rio Earth Summit 1992 were the following: leaders of 178 countries were united to discuss the global environmental and development issues; the Rio Declaration with 27 principles that should guide the sustainable development was produced; Agenda 21, a complex plan of the sustainable development was launched; the issue of sustainable forest management was highlighted with the Forest Principles; and several significant treaties were produced such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

• The Rio Earth Summit was formally called the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). It was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 4, 1992.
• The summit had the representatives of 178 countries—this involved heads of state, government representatives, and representatives of organisations.
• The summit's primary purpose was to solve urgent environmental problems in the world and promote sustainable development.
• Due to the Rio Earth Summit, several key environmental agreements were endorsed, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• The summit resulted in Agenda 21 being drawn up as a global action plan towards sustainable development. It contained the strategies for dealing with environmental, social, and economic challenges.
• At the summit, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities was reiterated, and it involves acknowledging the different environmental protection and sustainable development responsibilities of the developed and developing nations.
• At the Rio Earth Summit, it was also realised that it is worth having a say in the decision-making of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other interested parties regarding environmental issues.
• As part of the summit, it was emphasised that sustainable development should promote a union between economic growth, social equity and protection of the environment.

Significant Outcomes of the Rio Summit 1992

The key results of the Rio Summit 1992 were the introduction of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Agenda 21 as a blueprint of sustainable development, and the Forest Principles that elaborate on the objective to manage the forests sustainably. The summit also produced two landmark environmental agreements, known as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Over time, several other ecological contracts were associated with these treaties. The combined effects of these outcomes contributed to developing the international framework of environmental protection and sustainable development of the global environment.

Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

• It reaffirmed the Stockholm Convention of 1972 and vowed to build upon it.
• More than 175 countries were signatories to the Rio Declaration.
• The goal was establishing new and equitable international partnerships to reach global agreements on development and environmental issues.
• Humans were seen as central to any new initiative. They deserve a productive life in harmony with nature. (Principle 1)
• It affirmed states' sovereignty to act on environmental issues and urged them to take steps to reduce harmful practices. (Principle 2)
• The goal is to ensure enough resources are left for future generations to lead a peaceful life. (Principle 3)
• As part of the Rio Summit, the Declaration called for placing environmental protection at the centre of sustainable development. (Principle 4)
• Global poverty has to be addressed, and regional disparities should be accounted for while policies are being drawn up. (Principle 5)
• Special Priority should be accorded to developing and most vulnerable countries. The developed countries should take a lead in creating global partnerships and providing support to other nations. (Principles 6 & 7)
• Scientific and technical knowledge should be utilised in the production and consumption process to minimise environmental damage. (Principles 8 & 9)
• The states should ensure that all relevant information regarding environmental protection is passed on to the citizens at appropriate times. They should also develop legislation and regulations that consider the local developmental context. The Rio Declaration also asks states to refrain from unfair trade restrictions and arbitrary policies that might harm other countries (Principles 10, 11, 12).
• Loss and damage should be applied to pollution, and adequate compensation should be provided. They should also ensure that countries don't transfer hazardous materials to other countries (Principles 13,14).
• The Rio Declaration also called for more active participation of women and youth in driving change towards sustainable development (Principles 20 &21).
• It also calls on states to integrate knowledge systems of indigenous communities for environmental protection (Principle 22).

Read about the UN General Assembly here.

Agenda 21

• One outcome of the Brundtland Commission was Agenda 21, an action plan which is not legally binding.
• It was a product of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, widely referred to as the Rio Summit, hosted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1992).
• Figure 21 signified the achievement of long-term development in the twenty-first century. It highlighted the local governments' role in achieving long-term objectives.
• No two nations can achieve this. Together We Can- These words, written in the preamble of Agenda 21, summarise the entire motive of the Earth Summit.
• It has four main sections: Social and Economic Dimensions, Conservation and Management of Resources for Development, Strengthening the Role of Major Groups and Means of Implementation.
• The Rio 5+ conference, which was held in the general assembly, and the Rio 10+ conference, which was held in Johannesburg, assessed the success of the post Agenda 21.

Solve these questions on Agenda 21 here.

Forest Principles

• It is also formally referred to as the Non-legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles regarding Global Consensus on the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.
• The principles regarding the conservation and management of forests worldwide were formulated. The concerns associated with forest management are to be handled comprehensively and rationally.
• The adopted version of the forest principles was a trade-off between the developed and developing countries.
• It gives the sovereign right to the states to exploit their natural resources.
• Individual states and their economic situations are the only interests concerning converting forest areas to development activities.

Also, check out other notes on People Development and Environment, here.

Environmental Treaties of the Rio Earth Summit 1992

The most important environmental treaties of the Rio Earth Summit 1992 were the UNFCCC, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was directed to cope with climate change worldwide, and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), concerned with preserving biological diversity across the globe. These agreements established international cooperation on environmental matters.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The UNFCCC, or United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, adopted at the Rio Earth Summit, aimed at stabilising the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and addressing concerns such as climate change.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

At the Rio Earth Summit, the Convention on Biological Diversity was agreed to as a way of conserving biodiversity, viable utilisation of biological resources and an equal and fair share towards the proceeds of genetic resources.

Importance of the Rio Earth Summit 1992

• Environmental concerns made it onto the international agenda at the Rio Earth Summit. It brought awareness that sustainable development was needed and solved urgent ecological issues.
• Significant environmental agreements resulted from the summit, such as the UNFCCC and the CBD. These offered pathways to global collaboration in terms of climate change and the preservation of biodiversity.
• Agenda 21 Agenda 21 development gave a detailed guideline for sustainable development. It helped nations incorporate environmental, social, and economic aspects towards realising sustainable development goals.
• The summit underlines the necessity of engaging non-government organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders in decision-making and endorses inclusive processes and active collaboration.
• The renewed commitment to the principle of common, though differentiated responsibilities acknowledged that the different countries had varying obligations to the environment in dealing with the environmental impacts.

What are International Environmental Conventions?

An international environmental convention is an internationally legally binding agreement adopted after negotiation between governments to act in concert to address or slow an international (or global) ecological problem. To come to an understanding and agree on such action among sovereign states that may have a variety of interests is not an easy task.

• Nevertheless, the significant development of such agreements has been observed in the past few decades to solve the issue of international environmental problems in the global and regional context.

Why is there a Need for these Conventions?

• For many Parties, ratification and implementation of the Convention and its protocols will, compared with unilateral action, mitigate health and environmental effects at low cost.
• It also generates economic advantages since harmonised laws and standards between borders will provide a playing field for the industry between nations and prevent the Parties from competing against each other to the detriment of the environment and health.
• Activities that degrade human health, impact food security, deter economic development and add to climate change and the destruction of the ecosystem on which we all depend to earn a living.
• The Convention allows discussing these interconnections, and endeavours are made to avert adverse effects.

What is the Kyoto Protocol?

• Kyoto Protocol The Kyoto Protocol is a pact connected to the UNFCCC, though the protocol binds all its parties with its globally binding emission reduction targets.
• The Kyoto Protocol was accepted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 and became effective in 2005.
• It acknowledged that the industrial activities of these countries have contributed to the present state of high-level emission of GHG in the atmosphere, and these countries are the developed countries.
• The specific procedures of implementing the Protocol were agreed upon at COP-7 in Marrakesh in 2001 and are commonly called the Marrakesh Accords.
• Kyoto Protocol Phase-1 (2005-12) provided the reduction target of 5% of emissions.
• Phase- 2 (2013-20) aimed to cut at least 18 per cent of their emissions by the industrialised nations.

What is the United Nations Conference on Environment & Development?

• The UNCED, or the Third Summit, occurred 3-14 June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• The conference involved the world at large as it commemorated the 20th anniversary of the first Human Environment Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972.
• The conference pointed to the interdependence of various social, economic and environmental factors that change collectively and how an equation must be granted in one area to ensure the sustainability of success in other areas.
• The main aim of the Rio Earth Summit was to generate a general agenda, a new plan on international action on the major global environmental and development concerns, which would assist in shaping international cooperation and the development policy in the twenty-first century.
• In conclusion, the concept of sustainable development was acknowledged as a desirable objective that could be achieved by all people of the world, irrespective of where they might be at the local, national, regional or international levels.
• The Conference outcomes were the following documents:
• European member states marked the achievement with the Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC.
• The Convention on Biological Diversity
• The Statement Forest Principles
• The Rio Declaration
• Agenda 21

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