Governance & Policy
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
Definition
The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development is the set of 27 principles adopted at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio Earth Summit). Its principles include the integration of environment and development, the precautionary approach (Principle 15), polluter pays (Principle 16), environmental impact assessment (Principle 17), and common but differentiated responsibilities (Principle 7), which has structured equity in every subsequent environmental negotiation.
References
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This reference provides supporting context for how “Rio Declaration on Environment and Development” is defined and used.
Overview
How it is used
The Declaration is cited in treaties, court decisions, national frameworks and corporate principles; its Principles 7, 15 and 16 remain among the most quoted texts in environmental policy.
Why it matters
Rio 1992 defined the vocabulary in which sustainability is still negotiated; its principles are the operating system beneath the treaties.