UN CONFERENCE ON THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
In 1972 in Stockholm, the United Nations held the first international conference on the environment, which brought together the industrialized and developing nations to delineate the “rights” of the human family to a healthy and productive environment. From this event, the United Nations Environment Programme was developed.
WORLD COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
The World Commission on Environment and Development, or Brundtland Commission named after its chair, Gro Harlem Brundtland of Norway, was formulated in 1987 by an urgent call from the UN General Assembly to create a “global agenda for change.” The assigned task was to propose long-term environmental strategies for achieving sustainable development by the year 2000 and beyond, find ways of cooperation between nations for mutally supportive objectives, consider ways the international community can deal more effectively with environmental concerns, and define shared perceptions of long-term environmental issues. In its final report, “Our Common Future,” the Commission agreed on an analysis, broad remedies, and recommendations for a sustainable course of development.
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), or Earth Summit, was an unprecedented international meeting of delegations from 178 countries, heads of state of more than 100 countries, and representatives of more than 1,000 non-governmental organizations or NGOs that took place in June, 1992, in Rio de Janeiro. Its purpose was to develop a global consensus on measures needed to balance development pressures against an increasingly imperiled global environment. Its mandate was to define plans of action for achieving a future that is environmentally sound and equitable between nations and peoples as well as generations, to elaborate strategies and measures to halt and reverse the effects of environmental degradation, and to strength national and international efforts to promote sustainable and environmentally sound development in all countries.
The following five major agreements are associated with UNCED:
- Agenda 21 – a broad, 40-chapter statement of goals and potential programs related to sustainable development;
- The Rio Declaration – a brief statement of principles on sustainable development;
- The Biodiversity Treaty – a binding international agreement aimed at strengthening national control and preservation of biological resources;
- The Statement of Forest Principles – a non-binding agreement on development, preservation, and management of the Earth’s remaining forests;
- The Framework Convention on Climate Change – a binding international agreement that seeks to limit or reduce emissions of gases, mainly carbon dioxide and methane, associated with the potential for global warming.
UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) is an inter-governmental body of the United Nations established in 1993 that meets annually to review progress at the international, regional and national levels in the implementation of recommendations and commitments contained in the final documents of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). It elaborates policy guidance and options for future activities to follow up UNCED and achieve sustainable development, and promotes dialogue and builds partnerships for sustainable development with governments, the international community and the major groups identified in Agenda 21.
The Commission is supported by the UN Division for Sustainable Development.
U.S. PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPEMENT
The President’s Council on Sustainable Development was created in June,1993 by President Clinton to advise him on sustainable development and to develop bold, new approaches to integrate economic, environmental, and equity issues. The Council is a ground-breaking partnership of 25 diverse leaders from business; multiple levels of government; and community, environmental, labor, and civil rights organizations.
During the first phase of Council’s work, the President charged the Council to draft recommendations on a national action strategy on sustainable development. The Council’s first report included a vision statement and fundamental beliefs on sustainable development; recommended changes in business, community institutions, individuals, and at all levels of government that must occur to achieve sustainable development; ten goals and indicators of sustainable development; and scores of wide-ranging recommendations and actions to implement them.
In the second phase, President Clinton asked the Council to work on first steps to implement recommendations in the report, support the creation of the Joint Center for Sustainable Communities, and work with Vice President Al Gore on efforts within the administration to support sustainable development.
For the third phase, 1997 and 1998, President Clinton has asked the Council to continue to forge consensus on policy; demonstrate implementation of policy; conduct outreach and constituency building; and evaluate and report on progress.