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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
What were the results of UNCED?
Agenda 21 was the major document to come out of the Earth Summit. It outlines recommendations and actions at all levels to move the Earth towards sustainable and equitable development. Youth are mentioned throughout the document as well as in Chapter 25 titled "Strengthening the Role of Children and Youth in Sustainable Development".
Besides Agenda 21 there were five other major outcomes of UNCED: The United Nations Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Forest Principles, the Rio Declaration and the establishment of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change sets out broad principles requiring countries to reduce emissions of climate altering greenhouse gases but it is not legally binding. The treaty establishes the principle that nations must take into account the consequences of their economic and technological decisions on the global environment.
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity calls for the development of national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. This was signed by all the nations present with the exception of the United States, and similarly to the Climate Change Convention it sets no deadlines or legal obligations.
The Forest Principles were drafted as the first steps towards a treaty to preserve the world's forest. This document caused much debate at UNCED since it brought out many issues of North/South relations, particularly around sovereignty.
The Rio Declaration is a 27 point statement committing countries to strive for sustainable development and work to eradicate poverty.
In addition to the agreements, the Commission on Sustainable Development was set up as an official UN mechanism to follow up and report on progress and implementation of Agenda 21.