About

• Also known as the Rio Summit, Rio Conference, Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. The issues addressed included:
  (i) Systematic scrutiny of patterns of production particularly the production of toxic Components, such as lead in gasoline, or poisonous waste including radioactive chemicals.
  (ii) Alternative sources of energy to replace the use of fossil fuels which are linked to global climate change.
  (iii) New reliance on public transportation systems in order to reduce vehicle emissions, Congestion in cities and the health problems caused by polluted air and smog.
  (iv) The growing-scarcity of water.
• The Earth summit resulted in the following documents:-
  (i) Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
  (ii) Agenda 21
  (iii) Forest Principles 

Two important legally binding agreements

1. Convention on Biological Diversity.
2. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The Rio Declaration on Environment and The Rio Declaration consisted of 27 principles Intended to guide future sustainable development around the world.

Agenda 21

Agenda 21 is an action plan of the United Nations (UN) related to sustainable development.

• It is a comprehensive blueprint of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the UN, governments, and major groups in every area in which humans directly affect the environment.
• The number 21 refers to an agenda for the 21st century.

Local Agenda 21

• The implementation of Agenda 21 involved action at international, national, regional, and local levels.
• Some national and state governments have legislated or advised that local authorities take steps to implement the plan locally.
• Such programs are often known as ‘Local Agenda 21’ or ‘LA21’.

Agenda 21 for culture

• During the first World Public Meeting on Culture, held in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2002.
• The first document with worldwide mission that advocates establishing the groundwork of an undertaking by cities and local governments for cultural development.

Rio+5

• In 1997, the United Nations General Assembly convened a special session to evaluate five years of advancements in implementing Agenda 21 (Rio+5).
• The General Assembly acknowledged progress as ‘uneven’ and highlighted key trends such as the rise of globalization, growing income disparities, and ongoing degradation of the global environment

The Johannesburg Summit

• The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation was established at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Earth Summit 2002).
• It affirmed the UN’s dedication to the ‘full implementation’ of Agenda 21.
• It also emphasized the accomplishment of the Millennium Development Goals and various other international agreements.

Rio +20

• Rio 20 is the abbreviated term for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012, two decades after the significant 1992 Earth Summit in Rio.
• The primary topics of discussion during the conference were:
  (i) Constructing a green economy to promote sustainable development and elevate individuals from poverty.
  (ii) Enhancing global cooperation for sustainable development.