Why Rio Conference (1992) Happened / Earth Summit
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) /
After Stockholm (1972), pollution kept increasing.
Major shocks forced the world to act:
• Bhopal Gas Disaster (1984) → industrial catastrophe
• Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster (1986) → transboundary radiation
• Ozone Hole discovery (1987) → global atmospheric damage
The world realised:
Environment is not a local problem anymore — it is planetary survival.
Brundtland Commission (1987)
UN created a commission → Our Common Future Report
It gave the most famous definition in environmental law:
Sustainable Development = development that meets present needs without
compromising future generations
This became the backbone of Rio Conference (1992).
Rio Earth Summit (1992)
• 175 countries + 100 heads of state
• Held on 20th anniversary of Stockholm
• Goal: solve North vs South conflict
Conflict:
Developed Countries Developing Countries
Protect environment Right to development
Strict standards Financial + tech support needed
Rio Outcomes
Soft Law (non-binding)
• Rio Declaration (27 principles)
• Agenda 21 (action plan)
• Forest Principles
Hard Law (binding treaties)
• UNFCCC (Climate Change Convention)
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Institution
• Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
MOST IMPORTANT PART — RIO PRINCIPLES
These are very frequently asked in exams
(You must remember at least 7 of them)
Principle 2 — No Harm Rule (Updated Stockholm Principle 21)
Countries can use resources but must not damage other countries’ environment.
Now linked with sustainable development.
Principle 3 — Intergenerational Equity
We must protect environment for future generations
Rights of unborn people recognized
Principle 7 — Common But Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR)
All countries protect environment
BUT developed countries must do more
Reason:
They polluted more historically.
(Foundation of climate change law)
Principle 15 — Precautionary Principle
If there is risk of serious environmental harm →
lack of scientific certainty is NOT an excuse to delay action.
Act before damage happens
Very important in Indian cases.
Principle 16 — Polluter Pays Principle
Polluter must bear cost of pollution control & compensation.
Not public money → polluter money.
Principle 17 — Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Before starting a project → environmental assessment compulsory.
(Used in almost every infrastructure approval today)
Principle 19 — Prior Informed Consent
Countries must inform others Example:
Dam or nuclear plant near border → inform neighbouring country.
Principle 11 — Environmental Legislation
Countries should enact environmental laws
BUT standards differ due to development levels
Agenda 21 (Action Plan)
Huge implementation document (40 chapters)
Focus areas:
• Sustainable cities
• Forest protection
• Waste management
• Public participation
• National environmental laws
Basically: How to implement sustainable development
Impact of Rio
• Start of modern global environmental governance
• Environment entered trade law, economic law, human rights law
• But developing countries unhappy → lack of funding
Johannesburg Summit (2002)
Goal: implement Rio
Result: mostly criticized as failure (no real commitments)
Ultra-Short Memory Trick (VERY USEFUL)
Stockholm = Principles born
Rio = Principles strengthened + Sustainable development
Most Important Principles to Remember (Priority Order)
1. CBDR
2. Precautionary Principle
3. Polluter Pays
4. Intergenerational Equity
5. EIA
6. No Harm Rule
If you learn only these → you can answer 80% of questions.