STOCKHOLM DECLARATION 1972

 Root- 1968 - Sweden govt. proposed that the UN hold an international conference to

examine environmental problems and identify those that required international

cooperation to solve.

 114 governments present- Boycotted by Soviet-bloc countries because of the

exclusion of the German Democratic Republic [East Germany], which did not hold a

UN seat at the time.

 26 principles concerning the environment- Magna carta of human environment.

 Framework for Environmental Action- Action plan containing 109 specific

recommendations related to human settlements, natural-resource management,

pollution, educational and social aspects of the environment, development, and

international organizations.

 PREAMBLE- Proclamation-

1. Man is both creature and moulder of his environment- Through the rapid

acceleration of science and technology, man has acquired the power to

transform his environment in countless ways and on an unprecedented scale.

Both aspects of man's environment, the natural and the man-made, are

essential to his well-being and to the enjoyment of basic human rights the right

to life itself. (Indirectly envt as a human right)

2. The protection and improvement of the human environment is a major issue

which affects the well-being of peoples and economic development

throughout the world- duty of govt.

4.NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE- Developing countries- below minimum levels

required for a decent human existence- develop

efforts to reduce the gap themselves and the developing countries.

Inter-generational Equity (1 & 2)

 ENVIRONMENT AS A HUMAN RIGHT- Principle 1: Man has the fundamental

right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of a

quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being, and he bears a solemn

responsibility to protect and improve the environment for present and future

generations.

 ROOTS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT- Principle 2 The natural resources

of the earth, including the air, water, land, flora and fauna and especially

representative samples of natural ecosystems, must be safeguarded for the benefit of

present and future generations through careful planning or management, as

appropriate.

 NATURE CONSERVATION- Principle 4 Man has a special responsibility to

safeguard and wisely manage the heritage of wildlife and its habitat, which are now

gravely imperilled by a combination of adverse factors. Nature conservation,

including wildlife, must therefore receive importance in planning for economic

development.

 ROOTS OF PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE: ASSIMILATIVE CAPACITY-

Principle 6 The discharge of toxic substances or of other substances and the release of

heat, in such quantities or concentrations as to exceed the capacity of the environment

to render them harmless, must be halted in order to ensure that serious or

irreversible damage is not inflicted upon ecosystems. The just struggle of the

peoples of ill countries against pollution should be supported.

pollution of the seas by substances that are liable to create hazards to human health,

to harm living resources and marine life, to damage amenities or to interfere

with other legitimate uses of the sea.

 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT- Principle 8 Economic and social

development is essential for ensuring a favorable living and working environment for

man and for creating conditions on earth that are necessary for the improvement of the

quality of life.

 ENVT PLANNING- Principle 17 Appropriate national institutions must be entrusted

with the task of planning, managing or controlling the 9 environmental resources of

States with a view to enhancing environmental quality.

 TRANSBOUNDARY DAMAGE- Principle 21 States have, in accordance with the

Charter of the UN and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to

exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental 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.

 COMPENSATION- Principle 22 States shall cooperate to develop further the

international law regarding liability and compensation for the victims of pollution and

other environmental damage caused by activities within the jurisdiction or control of

such States to areas beyond their jurisdiction

 Principle 26 Man and his environment must be spared the effects of nuclear weapons

and all other means of mass destruction. States must strive to reach prompt

agreement, in the relevant international organs, on the elimination and complete

destruction of such weapons

 Reaffirming Stalkhome convention.

 Goal of working towards international agreements which respect the interests of all

and protect the integrity of the global environmental and developmental system,

 Principle 1- Human beings are at the centre 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 UN 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 equitably meet

developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.

Principle 4- To achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall

constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in

isolation from it

 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 societies place on the global environment and of the

technologies and financial resources they command.

handled with the participation of all concerned citizens, at the relevant level. At the

national level, each individual shall have appropriate access 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 public

awareness and participation by making information widely available. Effective

access to judicial and administrative proceedings, including redress and remedy, shall

be provided.

 Precautionary principle- Principle 15- To protect the environment, the

precautionary approach shall be widely applied 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.

 Polluter pays- 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 20- Women have a vital role in environmental management and

development. Their full participation is therefore essential to achieve sustainable

development.
  Principle 22- Indigenous people and their communities and other local communities

have a vital role 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 26- States shall resolve all their environmental disputes peacefully and by

appropriate means in accordance with the Charter of UN.

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

 UNEP is the leading global environmental authority that

1. Sets the global environmental agenda,

2. Promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of

sustainable development within UN system,

3. Serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

 International talks on specialized issues, are overseen by other UN organizations-

1) UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

2) UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

3) UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

UNEP's activities cover issues regarding the atmosphere, marine and terrestrial ecosystems,

environmental governance and green economy.

 IPCC- World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UNEP established the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988.

 UNEP is also one of several Implementing Agencies for the Global Environment

Facility (GEF) and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal

Protocol, and it is also a member of the United Nations Development Group.

 Led by a Senior Management Team, chaired by Executive Director. Work through

division, regional, liaison and out-posted offices, plus a growing network of

collaborating centres of excellence. Hosts several environmental conventions,

secretariats and inter-agency coordinating bodies.

 Governance- In December 1972, the UN General Assembly unanimously elected

Maurice Strong to be the first head of UNEP, so Secretary General of both the 1972

UN Conference on the Human Environment, which launched the world environment

movement, and the 1992 Earth Summit, Strong has played a critical role in

globalizing the environmental movement.

 Environment Assembly- UN Environment Assembly is UNEP's governing body.

Created in June 2012 to replace the Governing Council, it currently has 193 members

and meets every 2 years.

 Structure- 8 substantive Division

1. Science Division

2. Policy and Programme Division

3. Corporate Services Division

4. Ecosystems Division

5. Economy Division

6. Governance Affairs Office

7. Law Division

8. Communication Division

 Six Areas Of Concentration- NEP re-organised its work programme into six

strategic areas as part of its move to results based management. The selection of six
areas of concentration was guided by scientific evidence, the UNEP mandate and

priorities emerging from global and regional forums.

1. CLIMATE CHANGE UNEP strengthens the ability of countries to integrate

climate change responses by “providing leadership in adaptation, mitigation,

technology and finance”. UNEP is focusing on facilitating the transition to

low-carbon societies, improving the understanding of climate science,

facilitating the development of renewable energy and raising public

awareness.

2. POST-CONFLICT AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT UNEP conducts

environmental assessments in crisis-affected countries and provides guidance

for implementing legislative and institutional frameworks for improved

environmental management. Activities undertaken by UNEP’s Post-Conflict

& Disaster Management Branch (PCDMB) include post-conflict

environmental assessment in Afghanistan, Côte d’Ivoire, Lebanon, Nigeria

and Sudan.

3. ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT Facilitates management and restoration of

ecosystems in a manner consistent with sustainable development, and

promotes use of ecosystem services. Examples include the Global Programme

of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-

Based Activities.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE UNEP supports governments in

establishing, implementing and strengthening the necessary processes,

institutions, laws, policies and programs to achieve sustainable development at

the country, regional and global levels, and mainstreaming environment in

development planning.
5. HARMFUL SUBSTANCES UNEP strives to minimise the impact of

harmful substances and hazardous waste on the environment and human

beings. UNEP has launched negotiations for a global agreement on mercury,

and implements projects on mercury and the Strategic Approach to

International Chemicals Management (SAICM) to reduce risks to human

health and the environment.

6. RESOURCE EFFICIENCY/SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND

PRODUCTION UNEP focuses on regional and global efforts to ensure

natural resources are produced, processed and consumed in a more

environmentally friendly way. For example, the Marrakesh Process is a global

strategy to support the elaboration of a 10-Year Framework of Programs on

sustainable consumption and production.