Question

Analyse the major initiatives taken by the first Earth Summit and the success it achieved in resolving the environmental issues.

Hint:

Mention Rio Declaration, Agenda 21, UNFCCC and the Biodiversity Convention, then say that success was partial.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the question:
The first Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992 under the United Nations.
Its full name was the UN Conference on Environment and Development.
The answer needs the major steps it took and how far it solved the environmental problems. Six points are given below.

Step 2: Point 1: Rio Declaration:
The summit adopted the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.
It put forward the idea of sustainable development and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities of states.

Step 3: Point 2: Agenda 21:
Agenda 21 was a plan of action for the 21st century.
It asked countries to follow development that does not harm nature and to work at the local level for a better environment.

Step 4: Point 3: Convention on Climate Change:
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was opened for signature.
It asked countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and later led to the Kyoto Protocol.

Step 5: Point 4: Convention on Biological Diversity:
The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed to protect species and ecosystems.
A statement on the management of forests was also agreed at the summit.

Step 6: Point 5: Success of the summit:
The summit made the world aware of environmental problems and brought them to the centre of world politics.
It brought states, NGOs and others together and set up treaties that guide later talks.

Step 7: Point 6: Limits of the success:
Most of the decisions were not legally binding, and the rich and poor nations differed on who should bear the cost.
So problems like global warming and loss of biodiversity were reduced only to a small extent.

Final Answer:
The Earth Summit gave Rio Declaration, Agenda 21, UNFCCC and the Biodiversity Convention. It raised awareness, but it solved the problems only partly.