Principle 5

Rio Declaration All States and all people shall cooperate in the
essential task of eradicating poverty as an
The Rio Declaration on Environment and indispensable requirement for sustainable
Development, adopted by 178 Member States development, in order to decrease the
in 1992 at the Earth Summit disparities in standards of living and better
meet the needs of the majority of the people of
the world.
Principle 1
Human beings are at the center of concerns for Principle 6
sustainable development.
Human beings are entitled to a healthy and The special situation and needs of developing
productive life in harmony with nature. countries, particularly the least developed and
those most environmentally vulnerable, shall be
Note: given special priority. International actions in
The first Principle reflects an the field of environment and development
anthropocentric view of sustainable should also address the interests and needs of
development. all countries.
Sustainable development and living in
harmony with nature shall not be seen as
mutually exclusive, but to be considered as Principle 7
mutually reinforcing.
States shall cooperate in a spirit of global
partnership to conserve, protect and restore
the health and integrity of the Earth's
Principle 3 ecosystem.

Principle of inter-generational equity. In view of the different contributions to global

environmental degradation, States have
The right to development must be fulfilled so common but differentiated responsibilities.
as to equitably meet developmental and
environmental needs of present and future The developed countries acknowledge the
generations. responsibility that they bear in the international
pursuit of sustainable development in view of
the pressures their societies place on the global
Principle 4 environment and of the technologies and
financial resources they command.
In order to achieve sustainable development,
environmental protection shall constitute an
integral part of the development process and Principle 8
cannot be considered in isolation from it.
To achieve sustainable development and a
higher quality of life for all people, States
should reduce and eliminate unsustainable
Principle 11
patterns of production and consumption and
States shall enact effective environmental
promote appropriate demographic policies.
legislation.

Principle 9 Environmental standards, management

objectives and priorities should reflect the
environmental and developmental context to
States should cooperate to strengthen
which they apply. Standards applied by some
endogenous capacity-building for sustainable
countries may be inappropriate and of
development by improving scientific
unwarranted economic and social cost to other
understanding through exchanges of scientific
countries, in particular developing countries.
and technological knowledge, and by
enhancing the development, adaptation,
diffusion and transfer of technologies,
including new and innovative technologies.
Principle 12
States should cooperate to promote a
Principle 10 supportive and open international economic
system that would lead to economic growth
and sustainable development in all countries,
Environmental issues are best handled with the
to better address the problems of
participation of all concerned citizens, at the
environmental degradation.
relevant level.
Trade policy measures for environmental
purposes should not constitute a means of
At the national level, each individual shall have
arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a
appropriate access to information concerning
disguised restriction on international trade.
the environment that is held by public
authorities, including information on hazardous
Unilateral actions to deal with environmental
materials and activities in their communities,
challenges outside the jurisdiction of the
and the opportunity to participate in decision-
importing country should be avoided.
making processes.
Environmental measures addressing
transboundary or global environmental
States shall facilitate and encourage public
problems should, as far as possible, be based
awareness and participation by making
on an international consensus.
information widely available.

Effective access to judicial and administrative

proceedings, including redress and remedy,
Principle 13
shall be provided.
States shall develop national law regarding
liability and compensation for the victims of
Note: Three Important Pillars –
pollution and other environmental damage.
 Access to information
 Public participation in decision making
States shall also cooperate in an expeditious
 Access to judicial or administrative
and more determined manner to develop
recourse procedures
further international law regarding liability and
compensation for adverse effects of adverse impact on the environment and are
environmental damage caused by activities subject to a decision of a competent national
within their jurisdiction or control to areas authority.
beyond their jurisdiction.

Principle 18
Principle 14
States shall immediately notify other States of
States should effectively cooperate to any natural disasters or other emergencies that
discourage or prevent the relocation and are likely to produce sudden harmful effects on
transfer to other States of any activities and the environment of those States. Every effort
substances that cause severe environmental shall be made by the international community
degradation or are found to be harmful to to help States so afflicted.
human health.

Principle 19
Principle 15
States shall provide prior and timely
In order to protect the environment, the notification and relevant information to
precautionary approach shall be widely applied potentially affected States on activities that
by States according to their capabilities. may have a significant adverse transboundary
Where there are threats of serious or environmental effect and shall consult with
irreversible damage, lack of full scientific those States at an early stage and in good faith.
certainty shall not be used as a reason for
postponing cost-effective measures to prevent
environmental degradation. Principle 20
Women have a vital role in environmental
Principle 16 management and development. Their full
participation is therefore essential to achieve
National authorities should endeavour to sustainable development.
promote the internalization of environmental
costs and the use of economic instruments,
taking into account the approach that the Principle 21
polluter should, in principle, bear the cost of
pollution, with due regard to the public interest The creativity, ideals and courage of the youth
and without distorting international trade and of the world should be mobilized to forge a
investment. global partnership in order to achieve
sustainable development and ensure a better
future for all.
Principle 17
Environmental impact assessment, as a national Principle 22
instrument, shall be undertaken for proposed
activities that are likely to have a significant
Indigenous people and their communities and the principles embodied in this Declaration and
other local communities have a vital role in in the further development of international law
environmental management and development in the field of sustainable development.
because of their knowledge and traditional
practices. States should recognize and duly Sustainable development goals (SDGs)
support their identity, culture and interests and Consist of 17 Goals to be achieved by 2030
enable their effective participation in the
Also called as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
achievement of sustainable development.
Development,

Adopted by all UN Member States in 2015

Principle 23 SDG provides a shared blueprint for peace and
prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the
The environment and natural resources of future.
people under oppression, domination and
Goals are an urgent call for action by all countries -
occupation shall be protected.
developed and developing - in a global partnership.

GOAL 1: No Poverty
Principle 24
GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
Warfare is inherently destructive of sustainable
GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
development. States shall therefore respect
international law providing protection for the GOAL 4: Quality Education
environment in times of armed conflict and
GOAL 5: Gender Equality
cooperate in its further development, as
necessary. GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Principle 25 GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Peace, development and environmental GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

protection are interdependent and indivisible.
GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality

GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Principle 26
GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and
States shall resolve all their environmental Production
disputes peacefully and by appropriate means
GOAL 13: Climate Action
in accordance with the Charter of the United
Nations. GOAL 14: Life Below Water

GOAL 15: Life on Land

Principle 27 GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

States and people shall cooperate in good faith GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
and in a spirit of partnership in the fulfilment of