Stockholm Conference

Stockholm Conference

News: The 50th anniversary of the Stockholm Conference is being observed.

About:
• The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment was held in Stockholm between June 5 to June 16, 1972.
• It was the first such worldwide convergence on planetary environment, with the theme ‘Only One Earth’.
• It resulted in the Stockholm Declaration which contained principles and an Action Plan containing recommendations for environmental policy.

Dimensions of the conference:
• Countries agreeing not to ‘harm each other’s environment or the areas beyond national jurisdiction’.
• An action plan to study the threat to Earth’s environment.
• Establishment of an international body called the UN Environment programme (UNEP) to bring in cooperation among countries.

Significance and outcomes of the Stockholm Conference:
• Until 1972, no country had an environment ministry.
• Norwegian delegates returned from the conference to set up a ministry for the environment.
• India set up its ministry of environment and forest in 1985.

Key Agreements of the Stockholm Declaration:
• Natural resources such as air, water, land, flora and fauna must be safeguarded through careful planning for the benefit of the present and future generations.
• The release of toxic substances and heat emissions should not be allowed to exceed the capacity of the environment.
• The poor and developing nations must be supported in their struggle against pollution.
• The environmental policies of the states should support the present or future development potential of developing countries.
• Appropriate steps should be taken by States and international organizations to reach an agreement on meeting the possible national and international economic consequences resulting from the application of environmental measures.
• According to the UN charter and principles of international law, the States have the sovereign right to exploit their own resources as per their own environmental policies. However, the states have this responsibility of making sure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause any harm to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.