Previous Year Question

Agenda 21 was a comprehensive global action plan for the 21st century adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Its central purpose was to integrate development and environmental concerns within the framework of Sustainable Development.

At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro from 3–14 June 1992, more than 178 governments adopted Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration and the Forest Principles.

Agenda 21 is a very broad document covering subjects such as poverty reduction, changing consumption patterns, human health, sustainable human settlements, protection of the atmosphere, deforestation, desertification, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, freshwater resources, waste management and participation of major social groups.

It can broadly be understood through four sections:

I. Social and Economic Dimensions
II. Conservation and Management of Resources for Development
III. Strengthening the Role of Major Groups
IV. Means of Implementation

Thus, Environmental Education, pollution-control principles and protection of environmental resources may form parts of the wider sustainability agenda, but the central association of Agenda 21 is with Sustainable Development.

Agenda 21 → Sustainable Development action plan
Montreal Protocol → Ozone Layer protection
Polluter Pays Principle → Important environmental principle associated with the Rio framework