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| Date | 3–14 June 1992 (1992-06-03 –1992-06-14) |
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| Location | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Also known as |
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| Participants | 108 heads of state and government[1] |
| Outcome | Establishment of theUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) |
TheUnited Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as theRio de JaneiroConference or theEarth Summit (Portuguese: ECO92, Cúpula da Terra), was a majorUnited Nationsconference held inRio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992.
The Rio conference was attended by 108 heads of state and government, and helped establish and disseminate the concept ofsustainable development.[2]
A key achievement of the 1992 conference was the establishment of theUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) established in part as an international environmental treaty to combat "dangerous human interference with the climate system" and to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. It was signed by 154 states at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). By 2022, the UNFCCC had 198 parties. Its supreme decision-making body, the Conference of the Parties (COP) meets annually to assess progress in dealing with climate change.
Since the creation of the UNFCC many related environmental conferences, climate-related forums, and ongoing scientific research initiatives in the fields of sustainability, climate, and environmental security have continued to develop these intersecting issues.Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)[3] and educational institutions have been prominent participants.
The Earth Summit played an influential role in diffusing several key principles ofenvironmental treaties, such as theprecautionary principle,common but differentiated responsibilities, and thepolluter pays principle.[4]
The1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (UNCHE) or theStockholm Conference, was the first global conference to address environmental issues. It took place in Stockholm, Sweden from 5 to 16 June 1972.
Earth Summit was created as a means formember states to cooperate together internationally on development issues after theCold War. Due to issues relating tosustainability being too big for individual member states to handle, Earth Summit was held as a platform for other member states to collaborate.
The issues addressed include:
An important achievement of the summit was an agreement on theClimate Change Convention, which in turn led to theKyoto Protocol and theParis Agreement. Another agreement was "not to carry out any activities on the lands ofindigenous peoples that would causeenvironmental degradation or that would be culturally inappropriate".[citation needed]
TheConvention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature at the Earth Summit and made a start towards a redefinition of measures that did not inherently encourage the destruction of naturalecoregions and so-calleduneconomic growth.World Oceans Day was initially proposed at this conference and has been recognized since then.[6]
Although PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush signed the Earth Summit's Convention on Climate, his EPA AdministratorWilliam K. Reilly acknowledges that U.S. goals at the conference were difficult to negotiate and the agency's international results were mixed, including the U.S. failure to sign the proposed Convention on Biological Diversity.[7]
Twelve cities were also honored with the Local Government Honours Award for innovative local environmental programs. These includedSudbury inCanada for its ambitious program to rehabilitate environmental damage from the localmining industry,Austin in theUnited States for itsgreen building strategy, andKitakyūshū inJapan for incorporating an international education and training component into its municipalpollution control program.[citation needed]
The Earth Summit resulted in the following documents:
Moreover, important legally binding agreements (Rio Convention) were opened for signature:
At Rio it was agreed that an International Negotiating Committee for a third convention theUnited Nations Convention to Combat Desertification would be set up. This convention was negotiated within two years of Rio and then open for signature. It became effective in 1996 after receiving 50 ratifications.
In order to ensure compliance to the agreements at Rio (particularly theRio Declaration on Environment and Development andAgenda 21), delegates to the Earth Summit established theCommission on Sustainable Development (CSD). In 2013, the CSD was replaced by theHigh-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development that meets every year as part of the ECOSOC meetings, and every fourth year as part of the General Assembly meetings.[citation needed]
Critics point out that many of the agreements made in Rio have not been realized regarding such fundamental issues as fightingpoverty and cleaning up theenvironment. Malaysia was successful at blocking the US-proposed convention on forests and its prime-ministerMahathir Mohamad accused later theglobal North of exercisingeco-imperialism at this summit.[13][14] According toVandana Shiva, Earth Summit create a"moral base for green imperialism".[15]
In 2013, the Geneva-based organizationGreen Cross International was founded to build upon the work of the Summit.
The first edition of Water Quality Assessments, published by WHO/Chapman & Hall, was launched at the Rio Global Forum.
At this stage, youth were not officially recognised within climate governance.[16] Although youth were not given specific recognition, there was a significant youth turnout at UNCED.[17] Youth were involved in negotiating Chapter 25 of Agenda 21 on Children & Youth in Sustainable Development.[18]
"25.2 It is imperative that youth from all parts of the world participate actively in all relevant levels of decision-making processes because it affects their lives today and has implications for their futures. In addition to their intellectual contribution and their ability to mobilize support, they bring unique perspectives that need to be taken into account."[19]
Two years prior to UNCED youth organized internationally to prepare for the Earth Summit.[20] Youth concerns were consolidated at a World Youth Environmental Meeting, Juventud (Youth) 92, held in Costa Rica, before the Earth Summit.[21][22]
"The involvement of today's youth in environment and development decision-making...is critical to the long term success of Agenda 21" (UNCED 1992).[23]
Parallel to UNCED, youth organized theYouth '92 conference with participation from around the world.[24][25] Organising took place before, but also afterwards.[26] Many youth participants were dissatisfied with the rate of change.[27]
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