Some key dates and events
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1983 The United Nations General Assembly, concerned about the 'accelerating deterioration of the human environment and natural resources', establishes the Brundtland Commission. The report, titled 'Our Common Future', popularises the term 'sustainable development'. Brundtland's report does not suggest the halting of economic development, but rather adapting development to fit within the world's ecological limits.
1987 The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is signed. The international treaty is designed to protect the earth's ozone layer by phasing out the production of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion.
1992 The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development – known as the Rio Earth Summit – is held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The conference is attended by representatives from 179 governments, over 2 000 NGOs and some 10 000 journalists. The Summit produces: the Rio Declaration, which outlined a number of principles to guide future sustainable development; Agenda 21, an action plan for the implementation of sustainable development in the twenty-first century; Forest Principles, recommending strategies for the management and conservation of forests; and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), aimed at reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. Later that year, the UN establishes a Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) to monitor and report on the implementation of the resolutions taken at the Summit.
1994 The United Nations hosts a global conference on sustainable development, with a focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) – which are particularly at risk because of their remote locations, small size, and economic and environmental vulnerability.
1997 World leaders gather in New York to review progress made since the Rio Earth Summit (Rio + 5). Governments acknowledge that the global environment has continued to deteriorate and that resources continue to be used at rates that are unsustainable.
2000 Leaders from 189 countries gather in New York for the Millennium Summit. At the meeting, delegates adopt the United Nations Millennium Declaration – which includes the framework for eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs):
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
- Achieve universal primary education
- Promote gender equality and empower women
- Reduce child mortality
- Improve maternal health
- Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
- Ensure environmental sustainability
- Develop global partnership for development
2002 The World Summit on Sustainable Development is held in Johannesburg. Leaders gather to review progress made towards implementing Agenda 21, and to negotiate a roll-out plan. Delegates adopt the Johannesburg Declaration, which reaffirms global commitment to promoting sustainable development.
2005 A World Summit is held in New York as a follow-up to the Millennium Summit. Delegates commit to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
2009 World Summit on Sustainable Development.
2012 Twenty years after the landmark UN agreement in Rio a review summit will be held in Brazil in 2012. The focus of Rio+20 will be on a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, says the UN.
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