Environmental Conferences and Their Global Repercussions: A Practical Approach

Objectives

1. Learn about the main international conferences on the environment, such as Rio-92, the Johannesburg Summit, and COP26.

2. Understand the decisions made at these conferences and the commitments undertaken by the participating countries.

3. Analyze the global impacts of non-compliance with the agreements established at these conferences.

Contextualization

International environmental conferences, such as Rio-92 and COP26, are crucial moments where world leaders gather to discuss and decide on actions for environmental protection. They result in agreements that can shape national and international policies, directly influencing the quality of life on the planet. A notable example is the Kyoto Protocol, which established targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and served as a foundation for many current environmental policies.

Relevance of the Theme

The importance of the topic lies in the fact that the decisions made at these conferences hold the potential to influence public policies and business practices worldwide. In a context of climate change and environmental degradation, understanding these events and their impacts is essential for the development of informed citizens and professionals prepared to work in areas related to sustainability and the environment.

Rio-92

Rio-92, also known as the Earth Summit, was a United Nations conference on environment and development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It marked a milestone in global awareness about environmental issues, culminating in Agenda 21, a blueprint for sustainable development.

• Rio-92 brought together representatives from 178 countries.

• Resulted in the creation of Agenda 21, a global action plan for sustainable development.

• Established principles for sustainable forest management.

Johannesburg Summit

Held in 2002, the Johannesburg Summit, or World Summit on Sustainable Development, focused on assessing progress since Rio-92 and discussing new strategies to promote sustainable development, addressing issues such as poverty, access to water, and renewable energy.

• Emphasized the importance of poverty eradication as a critical condition for sustainable development.

• Promoted partnerships among governments, civil society, and the private sector.

• Highlighted the need to improve access to clean water and basic sanitation.

COP26

The Conference of the Parties (COP26), held in Glasgow in 2021, was a crucial meeting where countries discussed actions to combat climate change and reinforce commitments of the Paris Agreement. The main goal was to accelerate the implementation of climate targets and increase global ambition.

• The Paris Agreement was reaffirmed by 197 countries.

• Established the need to review and enhance national emissions reduction targets.

• Emphasized the importance of financing the transition to clean energy and supporting developing countries.

Practical Applications

• Companies that adopt sustainable practices and comply with environmental agreements can obtain certifications and green seals, increasing their competitiveness in the market.
• Governments use international agreements as a basis for creating public policies for environmental protection and incentives for renewable energies.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) use environmental agreements as references for awareness campaigns and political pressure.

Key Terms

• Rio-92: United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

• Johannesburg Summit: World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002.

• COP26: Conference of the Parties held in 2021 in Glasgow, where actions to combat climate change were discussed.

• Paris Agreement: International agreement adopted at COP21 aimed at limiting global temperature rise.

• Agenda 21: Global action plan for sustainable development, resulting from Rio-92.

Questions

• What are the main barriers to compliance with international environmental agreements?

• How can non-adherence to agreements impact the environment and society at both local and global levels?

• In what ways can public policies be improved to ensure compliance with environmental commitments?

Conclusion

To Reflect

International environmental conferences are essential milestones in building a sustainable future. They not only bring together world leaders to discuss solutions but also establish commitments that, if fulfilled, can mitigate the impacts of climate change and promote more balanced development. Reflecting on the agreements made and the challenges for their implementation helps us understand the complexity of environmental issues and the importance of coordinated actions at a global level. Furthermore, as future professionals, it is crucial to understand how these agreements influence public policies and business practices and how we can be agents of change in our areas of expertise.

Mini Challenge - Local Action Proposal

Develop a local action proposal that aligns with the guidelines of one of the studied international conferences.

• Choose an international conference (Rio-92, Johannesburg Summit, or COP26) and review its main guidelines and commitments.
• Identify a local environmental problem (e.g., pollution, deforestation, lack of basic sanitation) that can be addressed based on the chosen conference's guidelines.
• Develop a detailed action proposal to solve the identified problem, including objectives, strategies, necessary resources, and potential partnerships.
• Prepare a short presentation (5-10 minutes) to share your proposal with the class, highlighting how it aligns with the chosen international conference's guidelines and the expected impacts.
• Submit a written report of your action proposal to the teacher.