Earth Summit: Background, Participants & Outcomes

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), better known as the Earth Summit, Rio-92, or Eco-92, was a landmark in the history of global environmental policies. It was held between June 3 and 14, 1992, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This event brought together representatives from around the world to discuss and formulate strategies that promoted development respecting the planet’s natural limits. The conference was organized by the United Nations (UN) and is considered to this day the largest environmental conference ever held.

The choice of Rio de Janeiro as the venue was not random. In fact, it reflected the growing importance of developing countries in leading discussions on the environment and development. The Earth Summit took place in two main locations: the Riocentro, in the West Zone, and the Global Forum at Flamengo Landfill, in the South Zone. The Riocentro was transformed into a small urban center, equipped with enhanced security and medical services for participants, while the Global Forum served as a space for broad participation of civil society, involving thousands of NGOs.

One of the main focuses of the conference was the solidification of the concept of sustainable development. This concept highlights the need for an economy that not only fosters growth but also preserves the planet’s natural resources for future generations.

The Earth Summit put on the agenda a series of essential environmental issues, including the relationship between poverty and the environment, climate change, biodiversity, combating deforestation, water preservation, alternative transportation, ecotourism, and recycling policies. It resulted in the production of some documents, the creation of some bodies, and the spread of a more favorable mindset towards environmental preservation.

Background of the Earth Summit

The historical background of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development reflects a significant evolution in global environmental thinking. Until the 1970s, the prevailing perception was that natural resources were inexhaustible and could be exploited indefinitely to foster economic growth. This view, however, began to be questioned as the negative impacts of industrialization and uncontrolled resource use became apparent.

The change in perspective regarding the environment and sustainable development began to gain momentum with the publication of the report “The Limits to Growth” in 1972. Also known as the Meadows Report, endorsed by the Club of Rome, a group of thinkers and influential leaders founded in 1968. In line with neomalthusianism, it argued that continuous economic growth was unsustainable because natural resources are limited. According to the report, the depletion of these resources could have devastating consequences for humanity.

This debate on how to balance economic growth with sustainability led to the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (UNCHE), in 1972, in Stockholm, Sweden. The Stockholm Conference was the first major UN meeting focused on the environment. It revealed a clash between two main visions:

• Preservationism, which advocated for the untouched conservation of natural resources, asserting that they should be preserved even if it meant zero economic and population growth.
• Conservationism, which advocated for the conscious and disciplined use of natural resources, ensuring both human development and the conservation of natural resources.

During the Stockholm Conference, the concept of ecodesign was also introduced by Canadian Maurice Strong, the secretary-general of the conference. This concept proposed a model of development that considered ecological needs and provided an alternative to the rampant exploitation of natural resources.

The subsequent advancement in the discussion on sustainable development came with the publication of the Brundtland Report in 1987, titled “Our Common Future”. This report was prepared by the World Commission on Environment and Development, chaired by Norwegian Gro Brundtland. It defined the concept of “sustainable development” as that which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The three fundamental pillars of this concept were:

• Economic growth (development).
• Social inclusion (social justice).
• Environmental protection (conservation of natural resources).

This evolution in global thought set the stage for the Earth Summit, a meeting held in commemoration of the 20 years that had passed since the Stockholm Conference.

Participants of the Earth Summit

The Earth Summit was a historically significant event in terms of international participation. It saw the extraordinary participation of 179 countries, including the presence of over 100 heads of state and government. This broad participation made clear the global recognition of the urgency of environmental issues and the need for cooperation in favor of the environment.

During the Conference, Brazil was under international spotlight, but not just because it was the host country. At that time, Brazil was experiencing a poor context for nature conservation, given the murder of activist Chico Mendes in 1988, and the start of satellite monitoring of deforestation in the Amazon — which was reaching large proportions.

However, Brazil adopted a proactive stance, in contrast with the more resistant position of countries like the United States, led at the time by President George H. W. Bush, known as “Bush Sr.” The Brazilian government rejected a proposal by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to create a dedicated environmental organization within the UN. For Brazilian diplomacy, environmental issues should be addressed together with sustainable development, emphasizing an integrated approach that does not segregate the environment from other development issues. Thanks to Brazil’s actions at the Earth Summit, the country gained immense international prominence and credibility in the field of environmental diplomacy.

Alongside nations, the Earth Summit saw unprecedented participation from international organizations and regional agencies. These entities, made up of states, played crucial roles by providing data and technical expertise for negotiations and policy formulation.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) also had a prominent role at the Earth Summit, representing a wide range of civil society groups from around the world. Thousands of NGOs participated, bringing with them the voices of local communities, indigenous groups, environmentalists, and many others, who are not usually heard in international debates. These entities contributed to broadening the scope of discussions, bringing new perspectives and experiences, and pressing governments to adopt firmer and more committed stances toward the environment.

Results of the Earth Summit

The UNCED or the Earth Summit produced a series of documents, agreements, and bodies that have been fundamental to global sustainability policies. These were the main outcomes of the Conference:

• Rio Declaration on Environment and Development: It includes 27 guiding principles for the future of sustainable development. Its Principle Seven, for example, addresses the concept of “common but differentiated responsibilities.” According to it, although all countries are responsible for environmental protection, developed countries have a greater obligation to lead global efforts due to their greater financial and technological capacity and their history of greater pollution. Another important idea from this document is Principle Fifteen, which introduces the notion of precaution. According to it, the lack of absolute scientific certainty should not be used as a reason to delay measures that might prevent potentially serious or irreversible environmental damage.
• Statement of Principles on Forests: This was a statement of intent regarding the management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests. One of its highlights was the fact that it recognized the sovereign right of States to use their own forest resources, provided that such exploitation did not cause environmental harm in areas outside their jurisdictions.
• Agenda 21: It consists of a comprehensive action plan, intended to be implemented at the global, national, and local levels, with the support of the United Nations System, governments, and civil society. It contains 40 chapters and 2500 recommendations in a wide range of areas, including combating poverty, changing consumption patterns, protecting and promoting human health, and the sustainable management of ecosystems. Although not all of its recommendations have been implemented, it has established a benchmark for achieving sustainable development.
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): It was established as a mechanism to foster international cooperation in combating climate change. Based on it, the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) are held periodically, during which important international treaties have been drawn up, such as the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Paris Agreement (2015).
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): It was created to promote sustainable actions regarding the vast biological diversity of the planet, and also gave rise to a series of COPs on this theme.
• Commission on Sustainable Development: Following a recommendation from Agenda 21, this body was established in 1992 by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC). This Commission was designed to allow various types of actors (states, international organizations, NGOs, etc.) to participate in international discussions about the environment. Its primary role was to monitor the implementation of other decisions made at the Earth Summit.

The Legacy of the Earth Summit

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development is considered one of the most significant events in the history of global environmental policies. Its importance and legacy are vast, reflecting a moment when the international community recognized the need to integrate economic development with environmental sustainability.

The legacy of the Earth Summit is extensive and multifaceted. First and foremost, for the first time, an official definition of sustainable development was widely accepted and promoted. This concept, considered innovative at the time, emphasized that economic development cannot occur at the expense of environmental degradation. Secondly, the Conference reinforced the idea that society must act collectively (at the local, national, and global levels) to mitigate negative impacts on the environment. Thirdly, the documents approved at the Earth Summit made it clear that developed countries should assist others in transitioning to cleaner technologies and in preserving forests — although the funding for these initiatives has not always been fulfilled.

In addition, the UNCED served as a catalyst for the development of several relevant environmental conventions, such as the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (1994), the Nagoya Protocol on Biodiversity (2010), and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (2015).

The conference also paved the way for future international meetings on sustainable development, including Rio+10 in Johannesburg in 2002 and Rio+20 in 2012, in Rio de Janeiro. These subsequent events focused on renewing the commitment to sustainable development, updating and expanding the debates and actions initiated at the Earth Summit. For example, the document “The Future We Want”, resulting from Rio+20, highlighted the need for a green economy, in favor of sustainable development.

Finally, the UNCED influenced the formulation, reformulation, and implementation of national and local policies aimed at sustainability. Many countries adopted the principles discussed during the Conference, integrating them into their laws and making various sectors more sustainable.

In summary, the Earth Summit was a milestone in the history of global environmental policy. The discussions there were able to unite the world around the idea of sustainable development and establish a legacy of environmental principles and standards that continues to expand and evolve. The outcomes of the Conference reflect a significant shift in how development and environmental issues are addressed on the global stage.