Why in the news?

  • The year 2025 marks 33 years since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

Rio Earth Summit (1992)

  • What is it?: It was the largest global gathering of leaders to discuss environment and sustainable development.
  • Parties: Attended by leaders from 172 countries (including 108 heads of state), thousands of NGOs, and global institutions.
  • Features
    • Introduced sustainable development as the global guiding framework.
    • Adopted the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).
    • Recognised sovereign rights over natural resources.
    • Linked environment with trade, development, and equity.
    • Promoted cooperation in climate action, biodiversity, and combating desertification.
  • Outcomes
    • Rio Declaration on Environment and Development – 27 principles guiding international environmental law.
    • Agenda 21 – Comprehensive global action plan for sustainable development in the 21st century.
    • UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) – Basis for Kyoto Protocol (1997) and Paris Agreement (2015).
    • CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) – Treaty for conservation and fair benefit-sharing of biodiversity.
    • UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) – International cooperation on land degradation and desertification.
    • Forest Principles – Non-binding consensus on sustainable forest management.
  • Significance
    • Marked the beginning of multilateral climate cooperation.
    • Brought equity and justice into global climate discourse through CBDR.
    • Elevated the voice of the Global South, with India and G-77 playing a key role.
    • Laid foundations for future climate treaties like Kyoto Protocol (1997) and Paris Agreement (2015).
    • Despite non-binding commitments, it remains a symbol of global environmental solidarity.
  • Challenges 
    • Declarations largely non-binding; implementation left to states.
    • Rich–poor divide: Developing countries stressed on development first, while developed countries pushed for environmental commitments.
    • Lack of financial & technological support for developing nations.