POST OCCUPANCY EVALUATION OF BUILDINGS

THE RIO EARTH SUMMIT

ASSIGNMENT-1







SUBMITTED BY: P.SITHA MAHALAKSHMI
SUBMITTED TO: PROF. DR. B.UMA SANKAR
DATE: 08 SEPTEMBER 2014
M.ARCH, SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
YEAR-1 SEMESTER-1
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1 THE RIO EARTH SUMMIT
We do not inherit the earth from our fathers, we borrow it from our children. (Inuit
saying)
We cannot betray future generations. They will judge us harshly if we fail at this critical
moment. (Gro Harlem Brundtland, Prime Minister of Norway, UNCED, 1992)
...we can waste the planets resources for a few decades more...we must realize that one
day the storm will break on the heads of future generations. For them it will be too late.
(UN Secretary General Boutros-Ghali, UNCED, 1992)
Every bit of evidence I've seen persuades me we are on a course leading to tragedy. I
don't agree with those who say the status quo is the answer. (UNCED Secretary General
Maurice F. Strong, UNCED, 1992)
Rio de Janerio ,Brazil hosted the United Nations Conference on Environmental and
Development (UNCED) from 3-14 June 1992 which focused on the issue The state of
the global environment and the relationship between economics , science and the
environment in a political context, in which 105 nations (Stephanie Meakin,nov,1992, p-
2) have shown their commitment towards sustainability by participating in this summit.

2 HISTORY
The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, Sweden 1972 is
staged to be the initial step towards environmental awareness in the international
community which is a new concept and the countries primarily participated were
industrially developed ones who are facing the problems with the byproducts of
industrialization.
This conference is the first one of its kind which has provided an international platform
for sharing, discussing, analyzing, and the environmental issues being developed due to
human activities and formulate necessary agendas or principles to work towards a
sustainable environment.
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This conference in Stockholm lead to a declaration, a non-binding statement of twenty six
principles, to inspire and guide the people of the world in the preservation and
enhancement of the human environment. The most important achievement of Stockholm
was that the creation of the United Nations Environmental programme (UNEP) which is
regarded as world`s primary international body which addresses global environmental
problems with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
Yet Stockholm is considered to be mere failure as not even one issue debated in the
conference has been solved, (Halpen S. , 1992, p- 2).In 1972 , eco-catastrophes such as
chemical explosion in Bhopal ,India , Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster in former
Soviet Union has occurred at a later stage which proves the inefficiency or failure of this
conference in eradicating or avoiding such disasters.
The inequities between north and south countries with prevailing major issues like
poverty, debt, limited natural resources which are the important reasons for countries to
be industrially well developed and vice-versa.
Inspite of many conferences and meeting after the Stockholm till date with about thirty
years of brainstorming no good has been done towards environment, in fact the effects
and actions were leaded the other way round harming the environment more.
Global warming is the most popular in media. Climate change along with effects like
desertification, unbalanced biological diversity, deforestation, and reduced access to
drinking water resources area also effects of human tampering with environment.
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) with a body of 1,300 experts from 95 countries
stated that the earth`s capability to sustain and serve current and future generations is
being tampered by human actions. (Paolo Galizzi, 2005 p-955).
Tenth year from Stockholm gave rise to a special session emphasizing the validity of
principles adopted at Stockholm, the disparities in implementing the agenda, resulting in
Nairobi Declaration with intensified efforts and measures to protect and improve
requesting the governments and people to scale the progress achieved and discharge their
historical responsibilities collectively as well as individually.
A special commission World Commission on Environment and development chaired by
Gro Harlem Brundtland ,the then Prime minister ,Norway , produced Brundtland report
1987 ,which explains about the unavoidable link between development and environment
and paved a path for the concept of sustainable development.
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Later the general assembly discusses on accessing the stock of global environment ,
twenty years of Stockholm which resulted in another conference twenty years after
Stockholm with the main aim of sense of current , broad concept of environment its
linkage , durability and suitability for the human race unlike the first with focusing only
on human environment.
Basically this concept is being carried by the so called developed countries whose
economy is at a higher grade and those who caused more damage to the environment in
course of development. Developing countries who hasn`t explored their resources were
against this clause which doesnt let the growth of their country`s economy, later agreed
on the condition that they get assistance both in financial and technological issues from
developed countries.
Disagreement was also faced concerning the location of UNCED preparatory committee
which is very important as Prepcom is such a body which refines conference issues in
seeking consensus which was finalized and on December 22, 1989 resolution44/228 has
been passed (Halpen S., 1992, p- 3) stating that developed countries have a responsible
role for reducing air pollution and also stressed the need for sharing of technology.

3 RIO DE JANERIO 3
RD
-14
TH
JUNE, 1992.
The UNCED conference conveyed on 3
rd
- 14
th
June 1992. Virtually 178 countries and 100
state heads 1,000 non-governmental organization, tens of thousands of journalists
attended and UNCED also worked on the `92 Global Forum a simultaneously
happened and equally attended conference.

Five agreements have been signed by the participating countries.
The Rio Declaration
Agenda 21( 800 page document)
A frame work convention on climatic change
A frame work on biological diversity
A statement of principles on forests (Halpen S., 1992, p- 3)
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Agenda 21 is divided in to four sections:
Section I - Social and economic dimensions.
Section II-Conservation and management of resources for development.
Section III- Strengthening the role of major groups.
Section IV-Means of implementation

The principles of Agenda 21:
Principle 1
Human beings are at the center of concerns for sustainable development. They are
Entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.
Principle 2
States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of
international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own
environmental and developmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities
within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States
or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.
Principle 3
The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitable meet developmental and
environmental needs of present and future generations.
Principle 4
In order to achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall
constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered
in isolation from it.
Principle 5
All States and all people shall cooperate in the essential task of eradicating
poverty as an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, in order to
decrease the disparities in standards of living and better meet the needs of the
majority of the people of the world.
Principle 6
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The special situation and needs of developing countries, particularly the least
developed and those most environmentally vulnerable, shall be given special
priority. International actions in the field of environment and development should
also address the interests and needs of all countries.
Principle 7
States shall cooperate in a spirit of global partnership to conserve, protect and
restore the health and integrity of the Earth's ecosystem. In view of the different
contributions to global environmental degradation, States have common but
differentiated responsibilities. The developed countries acknowledge the
responsibility that they bear in the international pursuit of sustainable
development in view of the pressures their societys place on the global
environment and of the technologies and financial resources they command.
Principle 8
To achieve sustainable development and a higher quality of life for all people,
States should reduce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of production and
consumption and promote appropriate demographic policies.
Principle 9
States should cooperate to strengthen endogenous capacity-building for
sustainable development by improving scientific understanding through
exchanges of scientific and technological knowledge, and by enhancing the
development, adaptation, diffusion and transfer of technologies, including new
and innovative technologies.
Principle 10
Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned
citizens, at the relevant level. At the national level, each individual shall have
appropriate access Rio Declaration on Environment and Development 1992 to information
concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, including
information on hazardous materials and activities in their communities, and the
opportunity
To participate in decision-making processes. States shall facilitate and encourage
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Public awareness and participation by making information widely available.
Effective access to judicial and administrative proceedings, including redress and
remedy, shall be provided.


Principle 11
States shall enact effective environmental legislation. Environmental standards,
man agreement objectives and priorities should reflect the environmental and
developmental context to which they apply. Standards applied by some countries
may be inappropriate and of unwarranted economic and social cost to other
countries, in particular developing countries.
Principle 12
States should cooperate to promote a supportive and open international
economic system that would lead to economic growth and sustainable
development in all countries, to better address the problems of environmental
degradation. Trade policy measures for environmental purposes should not
constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised
restriction on international trade. Unilateral actions to deal with environmental
challenges outside the jurisdiction of the importing country should be avoided.
Environmental measures addressing trans boundary or global environmental
problems should, as far as possible, be based on an international consensus.
Principle 13
States shall develop national law regarding liability and compensation for the
victims of pollution and other environmental damage. States shall also cooperate
in an expeditious and more determined manner to develop further international
law regarding liability and compensation for adverse effects of environmental
damage caused by activities within their jurisdiction or control to areas beyond
their jurisdiction.
Principle 14
States should effectively cooperate to discourage or prevent the relocation and
transfer to other States of any activities and substances that cause severe
environmental degradation or are found to be harmful to human health.
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Principle 15
In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely
ape
Plied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious
or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a
reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental
degradation.
Principle 16
National authorities should endeavour to promote the internalization of
environmental costs and the use of economic instruments, taking into account the
approach that the polluter should, in principle, bear the cost of pollution, with due
regard to the public interest and without distorting international trade and
investment.
Principle 17
Environmental impact assessment, as a national instrument, shall be undertaken
for proposed activities that are likely to have a significant adverse impact on the
environment and are subject to a decision of a competent national authority.
Principle 18
States shall immediately notify other States of any natural disasters or other
emer-
gencies that are likely to produce sudden harmful effects on the environment of
those States. Every effort shall be made by the international community to help
States so afflicted.
Principle 19
States shall provide prior and timely notification and relevant information to
potentially affected States on activities that may have a significant adverse trans
boundary environmental effect and shall consult with those States at an early
stage and in good Faith.
Principle 20
Women have a vital role in environmental management and development. Their
full participation is therefore essential to achieve sustainable development.
Principle 21
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The creativity, ideals and courage of the youth of the world should be mobilized to
forge a global partnership In order to achieve sustainable development and
ensure a better future for all.
Principle 22
Indigenous people and their communities, and other local communities, have a
viable in environmental management and development because of their
knowledge and traditional practices. States should recognize and duly support
their identity, culture and interests and enable their effective participation in the
achievement of sustainable development.
Principle 23
The environment and natural resources of people under oppression, domination
and occupation shall be protected.
Principle 24
Warfare is inherently destructive of sustainable development. States shall
therefore
Respect international law providing protection for the environment in times of
armed Conflict and cooperate in its further development, as necessary.
Principle 25
Peace, development and environmental protection are interdependent and
Indivisible.
Principle 26
States shall resolve all their environmental disputes peacefully and by appropriate
Means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
Principle 27
States and people shall cooperate in good faith and in a spirit of partnership in
the
Fulfilment of the principles embodied in this Declaration and in the further
development of international law in the field of sustainable development.( UN,
1992,p-1-5)
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4 1997 EARTH SUMMIT +5
The greatest challenge of the Rio summit 1992 is the implementation of summit`s the
agreements which gave way for the establishment of The Commission of Sustainable
Development (CSD) to monitor and record the after affect s of the Rio Earth`s summit
1992.
The 1997 Earth summit is a review of the Rio summit which proved the Rio
commitment was not encouraging and the agenda of principles still proven to be the best
solution for the problems prevailing even after five years of the summit 1992.but some
progress has been made in institutional development , international consensus-building ,
public participation, and private sector action which resulted in reduced rate of
degradation of environment and also pollution.
At the end of the century the environment in particular is in fr more worse condition in
spite of the 25 yrs. of summit development. as the humanity is stepping in to a new
millennium the which was availed by international community as the perfect timing to
rethink about the principles and agendas and to work on making the new millennium
further better.
5 NEW YORK -2000
This is named as Millennium Assembly or Millennium summit, deals with the role of
United Nations vis--vis the prospects and challenges of the future.
The theme for this summit has been classified in to four different categories. They are:
1. Peace and security including the disarmament
2. Development , including poverty eradication,
3. Human rights
4. Strengthening the UN.
These categories were not accepted by Kofi Annan who argued on the major aspects that
an international community should focus on adopting. They are:
1. Freedom from want( the development agenda)
2. Freedom from fear(the security agenda)
3. A sustainable future( the environmental agenda)
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4. Renewing the U.N
This millennium summit has shown an increased approach of its aims and objectives to
the corners of the world and has actually envisioned in society, government, and every
individual working towards it, which has proven as an accomplishment for people to
celebrate the eve. This millennium summit was officially convened at U.N headquarters
in September 2000.
This millennium declaration consists of the renewed values and principles of the
international community. They are:
1. Freedom
2. Equality
3. Solidarity
4. Tolerance
5. Respect for nature and
6. Shared responsibility.
6 JOHANNESBURG: WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
AUGUST 26TH 2002
After two years from the millennium summit the international community has gathered
again for the world summit on sustainable development as a continuation of millennium
summit which undergone activities like enhancing and elaborating the goals of
millennium summit and also checking through the Rio earth summit as a second review
after ten years.
As extension of review one that is Earth summit +5 which has proved that the Rio summit
1992 has been programmed for namesake and as in such no work or efforts were seen
engaged in implementation of these goals, which has been extended even in the second
review also. The main reason is that these so called developed countries have failed in
putting in their part of effort.
This was considered seriously and the secretary general has utilized this summit in
reminding the goals of millennium summit and has drafted an agenda called WAHED
agenda.
WAHED AGENDA:
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Water and sanitation
Energy
Agricultural productivity
Bio diversity and ecosystem management
Health.
This summit is arguably criticized for it diverted vision which used very weak words
defining environment sustainability and also referred to the International Conference on
Financing for Development (Monterrey) and Doha Ministerial Conference, which were
defined as summits that discussed more about technological development but mere
thought about sustainable environmental development.
7 NEW YORK: THE ENVIRONMENT UPSTAGED
World leaders once again gathered in New York for2005 world summit as usual to
monitor the progress of the previous meet and also analyze and reform the goals and
objectives of summit observing the need and requirement in a larger scale of adoption.
Such goals which were achievable at a larger scale are areas like development, security,
human rights and reforms.
Environment was not one of the four priorities of this summit. Goals which are
achievable and requires urgent attention are
Desertification
Bio-diversity
Climate change
And the four multilateral categories which were considered are:
Development
Peace and collective security
Human rights and the rule of law
Strengthening of the United Nations.
Where environmental sustainability has no place in this summit but which was a major
concern for all the past summits. But on further note the outcome document has
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marginalized environmental aspects in its chapter II and also reminds about international
agreements and treaties that were made on environmental desertification.
8 RIO+20 -2012
The resolutions made in this summit are
Resolution-1
The future we want
The common vision is to review the previous summit and renew the commitment
to sustainable development ensuring promotion of an economically, socially and
environmentally sustainable future for our planet and for present and future
generations.
Eradicating poverty- increasing basic standards of living.
Importance of freedom, peace, security, respect for human rights, and providing
adequate standards of living.
International cooperation in achieving economic stability, sustained economic
growth, promotion of social equity and protection of environment.
Empowerment of women, survival and development of children.
Providing or recognizing opportunities for people to influence their lives,
participating in decision making activities, and working together to secure the
future we want.
Resolution II
Renewing political commitment.
A. Reaffirming, recognizing and working towards implementing past summits goals
and principles, Reinvigorate political will and raise the level of commitment from
international community, society, government, and individuals.
B. Advancing integration implementation and coherence
Supporting developing countries, eradicating poverty, unemployment,
underemployment, combating climate change, refraining unilateral
economic, financial, or trade measures.
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o Emphasizing that sustainable development is inclusive, people
centered .most attention given to Africa in development and providing
assistance.
o Recognizing need for broader measures of progress for increasing GDP,
integrated and holistic approaches to sustainable development.
C. Engaging major groups and other stake holders.
Affirm the key role of all government and propose that participation and
access to information and judicial and administrative proceeding are
essential
Civil society , women , importance of participation of workers , trade
unions, farmers, fisher folk ,pastoralists, foresters plays a vital role in
working towards a sustainable development.
D. Green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.
E. Institutional frame work for sustainable development.
F. Frame work for action and followup
G. Means of implementation

Resolution 2
Expression of thanks o the people and government of Brazil
Resolution 3
Credentials of representatives of the United Nations
Conference on sustainable development





9 REFERENCE LIST

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Stephanie Meakin ,BP-317E, November 1992. The Rio Earth Summit: Summary
of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.
Shanna L. Halpern , 1992, The United Conference on Environment and
Development: Process and Documentation.
Paolo Galizzi 2005, Fordham International Law Journal, Volume 29, Issue 5,
Article3 From Stockjolm to NewYork , via Rio and Johannesburg: Has the
Environment Lost its Way on the Global Agendas?
United Nations Rio Declaration on environment and Development 1992 .(p:1-5)
http://www.jus.uio.no/lm/environmental.development.rio.declaration.1992/sisu_m
anifest.html
Title: Rio Declaration on Environment and Development 1992
Creator: United Nations (UN)
Rights: Copyright (C) 1992 United Nations (UN)
Publisher: SiSU http://www.jus.uio.no/sisu (this copy)
Date: 1992
Topics Registered: environmental law:convention;development
Version Information
Sourcefile: environmental.development.rio.declaration.1992.sst
Document (dal) last generated: Tue Sep 21 16:49:47 -0400 2010
Report of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,2022 June 2012,Viewed on 08.09.2014,
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