STOCKHOLM CONFRENCE
Global inter-governmental action on environmental issues began with the United Nations Conference
on the Human Environment in Stockholm (Sweden) from 5th to 16th June 1972. this led to the
Stockholm Declaration (Declaration on the Human Environment) and an Action Plan with 109
recommendations on environment assessment, management and support measures. The Stockholm
slogan was “Only One Earth”.
Issues under discussion at Stockholm Conference
• Problems and Management of Human Settlements
• Natural Resources Management
• Pollution Control Measures
• Social and cultural aspects of environmental issues
• Development and its relation with the environment
The Stockholm Declaration on Environment comprises a proclamation of 26 principles and
submission of recommendations. Some of the important principles relating to environment
protection in the Stockholm declaration are as follows:
Principle 1 – Right to Protect Enviorment
The man has the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an
environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being, and he bears a solemn
responsibility to protect and improve the environment for present and future generations.
Principle 02: Management of Natural Resources
The natural resources of the earth, including the air, water, land, flora and fauna and especially
representative samples of natural ecosystems, must be safeguarded for the benefit of present and
future.
Principle 03: Management of Renewable Resources
The capacity of the earth to produce vital renewable resources must be maintained and, wherever
practicable, restored or improved.
Principle 04: Conservation of Wildlife
Man has a special responsibility to safeguard and wisely manage the heritage of wildlife and its
habitat, which are now gravely imperiled by a combination of adverse factors.
Principle 05: Management of Non-Renewable Resources
The non-renewable resources must be employed in a way as to guard against the danger of their
future exhaustion and to ensure that benefits from such employment are shared by all.
Principle 06: Pollution Control
The discharge of toxic substances or other substances and the release of heat, in such quantities or
concentrations as to exceed the capacity of the environment to render them harmless, must be
halted.
Principle 07: Prevention of Pollution of Seas
States shall take all possible steps to prevent pollution of the seas.
Principle 08: Economic and Social Development
Economic and social development is essential for ensuring a favorable living and working
environment for man and for creating conditions necessary for the improvement of the quality of
life.
Principle 09: Underdevelopment and Natural Disaster
Environmental deficiencies generated by the conditions of under-development and natural disasters
can best be remedied by the transfer of substantial quantities of financial and technological
assistance.
Principle 10: Stability of Prices of Primary Commodities
For the developing countries, stability of prices and adequate earnings for primary commodities
and raw materials are essential to environmental management.
Principle 11: Environmental Policies
The environmental policies should enhance and not adversely affect the present or future
development potential of developing countries.
Principle 12: Environment Protection Education
Resources should be made available to preserve and improve the environment..
Principle 13: Rational Management of Resources
In order to achieve rational management of resources, States should adopt an integrated and
coordinated approach to their development planning.
Principle 14: Rational Planning
Rational planning constitutes an essential tool for reconciling any conflict between the needs of
development and the need to protect and improve the environment.
Principle 15: Human Settlements
Planning must be applied to human settlements and urbanization with a view to avoiding adverse
effects on the environment.
Principle 16: Human Population
Demographic policies which are without prejudice to basic human rights and which are deemed
appropriate by Governments concerned should be applied in those regions where the rate of
population growth are likely to have adverse effects on the environment.
Principle 17: Setting of Environmental Pollution Control Agencies at National Level
Appropriate national institutions must be entrusted with the task of planning, managing or
controlling the environmental resources.
Principle 18: Use of Science and Technology
Science and technology must be applied to the identification, avoidance and control of
environmental risks and the solution of environmental problems.
Principle 19: Education in Environmental Matters
Education in environmental matters is essential in order to broaden the basis for an enlightened
opinion and responsible conduct by individuals, enterprises and communities in protecting and
improving the environment in its full human dimension.
Principle 20: Further Scientific Research
Scientific research and development in the context of environmental problems must be promoted in
all countries, especially the developing countries.
Principle 21: Rights and Responsibility of Sovereign Nations
States have the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental
policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not
cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national
jurisdiction. - Precautionary Principle for International Resources + Argentia vs Uruguay
Principle 22: Development of International Laws
States shall cooperate to develop further the international law regarding liability and compensation
for the victims of pollution and other environmental damage.
Principle 23: Implementation of Agenda by Every Country
Without prejudice to such criteria as may be agreed upon by the international community, or to
standards which will have to be determined nationally, it will be essential in all cases to consider
the systems of values prevailing in each country, and the extent of the applicability of standards
which are valid for the most advanced countries but which may be inappropriate and of
unwarranted social cost for the developing countries.
Principle 24: International Cooperation
International matters concerning the protection and improvement of the environment should be
handled in a cooperative spirit by all countries, big and small, on an equal footing.
Principle 25: Coordinated and Dynamic Role
States shall ensure that international organizations play a coordinated, efficient and dynamic role
for the protection and improvement of the environment.
Principle 26: Ban on Nuclear Weapons
Man and his environment must be spared the effects of nuclear weapons and all other means of
mass destruction.
NOTE:
The two principles 21 and 22 represent, “the most significant consensus that has been reached
in the field of international cooperation among states respecting environmental protection”
• The Stockholm Declaration also drafted the action plan for the human environment and its
development which required:
1. The global environmental assessment program called “earth watch”
2. Environmental Management Activities and
3. International measures to support the national actions of assessment and management.
The Stockholm Conference produced:
A Declaration of 26 Principles and an An Action Plan of 109 recommendations. Resolution on
International and Financial Agreement, which recommended the establishment of following
institutions:
Governing Council for UNEP, Environment Secretariat
Environment Coordination Board
Environment Fund
Resolution on designation of a World Environment Day.(5 June)
Resolution on Nuclear Weapons tests which condemned nuclear tests especially those carried out
in the atmosphere and called upon states to refrain from conducting such tests.
1972: UN Conference on Human Environment, held in Stockholm- United Nations Environment
Programme established
Earth Watch: UNEP keeps constant surveillance on environment.
Global Environment Outlook (GEO): UNEP publishes its report. 5th Report (GEO-5) released in 2012
1983, World Commission on Environment and Development led by Gro Harlem Brundtland of
Norway – Sustainable Development
1987: Brundtland Report (Our Common Future)- UN General Assembly called for UNCED with
primary goals of socio-economic development and prevent continued environmental deterioration.
