Critical Analysis On Sustainable Development As Per The Stockholm Declaration

INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW [IJLR] Published by
VOLUME 3 AND ISSUE 2 OF 2023 Institute of Legal Education
APIS – 3920 - 0001 (and) ISSN - 2583-2344 https://iledu.in
CRITICAL ANALYSIS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AS PER THE STOCKHOLM

DECLARATION
Author - ISHITA JHA, STUDENT AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL, AMITY UNIVERSITY, UTTAR PRADESH
Best Citation - ISHITA JHA, CRITICAL ANALYSIS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AS PER THE STOCKHOLM
DECLARATION, Indian Journal of Legal Review (IJLR), 3 (2) of 2023, Pg. 78-85, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN
- 2583-2344.
ABSTRACT
In this paper, we will be discussing the concept of sustainable development as per the
Stockholm Declaration. This paper will conduct an in-depth study as to how and why did the
concept of sustainable development emerge. We shall start the research paper by answering
certain basic questions in brief as to what the role of the United Nations Environment
Programme is, what is Stockholm Declaration, why was is required, what is sustainable
development, etc. Once we understand the basics we shall move to the deeper analysis where
we analyse the concept of sustainable development as per the Stockholm Declaration looking
at it from a multidisciplinary viewpoint.
Most of the nations were rapidly consuming and depleting their natural resources at an
alarming rate which led to the international organisations taking strict actions to control the
damage for not just the present generations but also using resources in a judicious manner so
that they can be replenished and be used by the future generations as well. There were
multiple other reasons that led to the development of sustainable development, we shall
discuss them all in this paper.
I. INTRODUCTION Sustainable development means the

In this paper we will understand the meaning of development that fulfils the needs and
sustainable development from the perspective requirements of the present generation without
of its emergence from the Stockholm hampering the ability of the future generations
Declaration. To understand this concept better to fulfil their own needs. The widely used
we will firstly understand the meaning of the definition of sustainable development is given
two terms used, sustainable and development. by the World Commission on Environment and
Sustainable means being able to maintain Development in its report ‘Our Common Future’.
something at rate or level and development It means that the environmental resources
means growth or advancement in a particular should be used to fulfil our current requirements
direction. So, in layman terms sustainable but while exploiting these resources we must
development means maintaining the level of understand that they are for the future
something while growing in a particular generations well so we must leave ample
direction. So now in terms of environment we resources for them to enjoy as well. It means
can say that sustainable development means growing in a manner not hampering the
maintaining the current level of environment development of other, this promotes
while judiciously utilising the resources. intergenerational equity. The principle of
intergenerational equity is of the notion that
78 | P a g e Journal Home Page – https://ijlr.iledu.in/

there should be partnership amongst all in the In this paper we will understand the concept of
human community and amongst all sustainable development from the viewpoint of
generations. It means that all the generations the Stockholm Conference, but we must
should have right to the same diversity. It understand that the term sustainable
means that there should be harmony between development has not been used anywhere in
various generations. People should not adopt the Stockholm Declaration, only the principle of
the intragenerational method where focus is sustainable development evolved from this
put only on the need of the present generation declaration. The term ‘sustainable
without caring about the future. Although the development’ was first published and used in
principle states that there is equity between the 1987 in the Brundtland Report published by the
people this method is not sustainable for a long United Nations World Commission on
period. Whereas the principle of Environment and Development that is 15 years
intergenerational equity has a long-term after the concept of sustainable development
positive impact. Further it can directly be was introduced.
associated with the principle of sustainable
RESEARCH QUESTION
development. Sustainable development further
promotes an eco-centric approach where 1. Has the adoption of sustainable
intrinsic value is found amongst all human development led to gain a balance
beings and other creatures. Holistic view of the between the use of resources by the
earth is considered. It promotes and fosters current generation as well as saving
economic growth while conserving the nature enough for the future generations?
for future generations. 2. How has the continuous growth of
population posed a problem for the
“We do not inherit the Earth from our
preservation of environment? What
ancestors; We borrow it from our children”
steps should be taken by national and
Lakota.
international organisations to attain
It is a saying that we have not inherited the better living conditions?
environment from our ancestors rather we have
borrowed it from our successors. So, we have a II. LITERATURE REVIEW
responsibility to return their environment in the In the paper Sustainable Growth and
same condition if not better to our children. The Development by PJP Ginting, the concept of
principle of sustainable development has a sustainable development was viewed from a
similar thought process where we will use the multidimensional viewpoint that economic,
resources to fulfil our current needs, but we will social, and environmental perspective. The
also remember that there will be various problems associated with sustainable
generations after us who will also require these development was also discussed in the paper.
resources to fulfil their need. Further the Further it also analysed as to how the term
scientists have time and again defined development has evolved over a period.
sustainable development as an economic (Ginting, 2019)
process where the quantity and quality of the
The paper Sustainable Development Concepts-
stocks of natural resources and the integrity of
An economic analysis by John Pezzey is an
various biochemical cycles are sustained and
extremely detailed paper filled with intricacies. It
passed to future generations. The environment
focused on the comparative study of economy
is depicted as natural capital and no
and environment, the application was given
depreciation of the natural capital should take
immense importance as to how consumption
place.
and expenditure can be balanced, the cost
associated with various kinds of renewable and

non-renewable resources were viewed from monitor and regulate these changes but still
various angles. Further it was seen as to how charting the path is an essential step. The paper
income distribution and sustainable discusses as to how 50 years ago the
development is associated along with the Stockholm Declaration was the key stone for the
model of capital growth and environmental introduction of international environmental law
productivity. The author discussed various and how the multiple principles elucidated in
models which help bring optimisation and the declaration formed the base for multiple
sustainability. This paper covered the research laws and enactments passed throughout the
in a holistic way by weighing in various world. The paper further stated as to how the
parameters. (Pezzey, 1992) involvement of the citizens is necessary for the
effective implementation of laws as the
The research paper Sustainable Development:
government cannot solve the environmental
Meaning, history, principles, pillars, and
problems on its own. (Chasek, 2022)
implication for human action by Justice Mensah
explained the concept of sustainability and The research paper Sustainable Development in
development and the concept of sustainable India by Anirban Banerjee discussed the
development in detail. Further the relationship concept of sustainable development along with
between economy, environment and society its goals and objectives in an elaborate manner.
was evaluated in detail along with the concept Sustainable development in India was viewed
of sustainability. The goals and pillars of from various perspectives like poverty
sustainable development was also discussed alleviation, good health, quality education, food
and the Agenda 2030 was also discussed. The security, gender equality, sanitation and clean
SDG’s that is the Sustainable Development water, decent work environment, economic
Goals were discussed and their objectives were growth, etc. The parameters of the various
discussed. These SDGs are aimed to eradicate sustainable development goals (SDG) were also
poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that measured and their importance in protecting
everyone enjoys peace and prosperity. There the environment was assessed. Then a case
are 17 SDGs that have been given immense study was conducted in the state of West
importance are they are must for the well being Bengal where it was checked as to whether the
of the people and protection of environment. various SDGs were met or not and were they to
These SDGs were adopted by more than 190 effective to protect the environment. (Banerjee,
countries in 2016 and aims to foster economic 2022)
growth, ensure social inclusion and
In the research paper India and Sustainable
environmental protection. (Mensah, 2019)
Development authored by Vinati used statistical
As per the article the Legacies of the Stockholm data to prove her research. In the terms of
Conference by Pamela Chasek, the researcher Indian context various enactments like the
concluded that even after 50 years of the Constitution, National Environment Policy, the 5-
Stockholm Conference, the levels of climate year plans, etc. were assessed to understand
change, biodiversity loss and pollution has the status of sustainable development in India.
crossed the charts and exceeded all levels Further India being a developing country
which couldn’t have been foreseen. Further the various challenges that it faces were also taken
article discussed as to how global integration into consideration. It was followed by the steps
and cooperation is required to overcome the and strategies that can be used to minimise the
challenges associated with climate change. The challenges and obstacles to attain sustainable
introduction numerous multilateral development. The steps have been not just
environmental agreements (MEA’s) that is the confined for the government but staps have
result of this conference has been beneficial to

been laid down for citizens as well as environmental issues. It was the first conference
organisations. (Vinati, 2016) in the world to make environment crisis a major
issue. The result of this conference was the
The article Green Growth and Sustainable
Stockholm Declaration and the United Nations
Development in India published by The Energy
Environment Programme. The Stockholm
and Resources Institute (TERI) discusses as to
Declaration is a soft law that means it is a non-
what is green growth and what are the
binding instrument and it hasn’t been signed or
challenges associated with it in India. A
ratified by any of the states. These laws act as
comparative statistical study was done
the guiding principles for other laws, and they
between countries where the key development
also help development and codification of laws.
indicators were factored. Further the green
In this conference the importance and
growth interventions were discussed along with
interrelation between the environment and
their impact, various scenarios over a period
development was acknowledged. The
were assessed like the result when different
Stockholm Declaration is an instrument
primary energy supply material was used, the
containing 26 principles. It enumerates the
demand was estimated, etc. The various policy
various types of issues that can arise due to
implications for these scenarios were also
environmental crisis, and it further states the
assessed. Followed by developing a future plan
solution for those problems. It also made a
of action by streamlining the decision-making
bridge between the developed and the
processes, addressing the data gaps,
developing nations by technology transfer to
commissioning the pilots and technology
developing nations to promote industrialisation.
demonstration, mobilising finance, etc. 197
The action plan enumerated in the Declaration
III. METHODOLOGY can be broadly classified into 3 parts the watch
Data sources plan i.e., to assess the global environmental
program, the environmental management
In this research the primary source of data will
activities and lastly to establish measures to
be secondary data. We will refer to the
assess and manage activities at the national
Stockholm Declaration primarily to see as to
and international level. Further apart from these
which principles led to the evolution and growth
principles there were 109 recommendations.
of the sustainable development. Apart from the
Stockholm declaration we will go through the The principle 5 and 11 of the Stockholm
Rio Declaration and the legislations passed by Declaration primarily envisage the concept of
the Indian parliament for the same. We have sustainable development. There are certain
assessed the various literature present in this other principles as well that promote the
matter, and we shall refer to the reports concept of sustainable development.
published by various Governmental
The Principle 5199 of the Declaration states that
organisations to get a better understanding of
the renewable resources must be utilised in
the topic.
such a way that there is no threat of future
IV. STOCKHOLM DECLARATION exhaustion and scarcity. Which will enable that
The United Nations Conference on Human the benefits of such utilisation can be shared by
Environment , 1972 commonly known as the
198 all. So, in simple terms it states that the
Stockholm conference till date has been the renewable resources must be use in manner
most transformational conference in the field of
199Principle 5, Stockholm Declaration on Human Environment
197 GGSDI (2015). Green Growth and Sustainable Development in India. The non-renewable resources of the earth must be employed in such a way as
Implemented by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Global to guard against the danger of their future exhaustion and to ensure that
Green Growth Institute (GGGI). benefits from such employment are shared by all mankind.
198 https://documents-dds- https://documents-dds-
ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/NL7/300/05/IMG/NL730005.pdf?OpenE ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/NL7/300/05/IMG/NL730005.pdf?OpenE
lement lement

that the benefits of it can be used and shared The rise is population is directly proportional to
by all mankind. The principle uses the term all the increased consumption of resources as
mankind which widens the scope of this more population requires more resources. One
principle as it then can be understood as the of the major effects of the rise in population is
use of resources amongst multiple generations. the global warming. To facilitate the lives of the
This principle encompasses the concept of growing population, forests and other natural
sustainable development as well as resources are being exploited. We have also
intergenerational equity. seen this trend that the population is rising
rapidly in poor of developing countries whereas
The Principle 11200 lays down the responsibilities
in cases of the developed nations has become
for the states as to how the environmental
almost stagnant and is even declining in certain
policies implemented by them should enhance
cases. These population dynamics primarily
and not hamper the present or future
have influence in the local levels but also at the
development of the developing countries nor it
global levels. These population dynamics not
should affect the living conditions for all. Better
just pose as challenges but also have certain
living conditions must be secured for all not just
advantages associated to it.
for the present generation. Further the states
and international organisations shall take an Then need for a principle which not just takes
appropriate step to reach an agreement on the care of the present generation but also the
possible international and national economic future generations arose after the catastrophic
consequences arising from the implementation series of environment hazards in the first half of
of the environmental measures. This principle the twentieth century. The Stockholm
envisages the concept of sustainable conference was an effort to address these
development along with intergenerational and hazards. The principles of the Stockholm
intragenerational equity within it. Declaration acted as the foundation for
enactment of several other initiatives to protect
The above 2 principles led to the establishment
the environment by various states and
and development of the concept of sustainable
international environment. the Stockoholm50+
development. There were certain other
was established to achieve multiple goals and
principles like the duty to protect the natural
to further achieve sustainable development. So,
resources and renewable resources and the
we have understood that in the Stockholm
non-renewable resources, etc. that acted as the
Declaration only the concept of sustainable
foundation stone of this principle. The principle
development was mentioned, it was more than
3201 emphasised that the renewable resources
a decade when the principle of sustainable
must be maintained and it should be tried to
development and the term was explicitly
restore or improve their levels. The principle 13
formed.
and 14 stating about the rational management
and rational planning of the resources also V. RIO DECLARATION
promote sustainable development. The United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development, 1992 commonly known as the
200 Principle 11, Stockholm Declaration on Human Environment Rio Conference was the first international meet
The environmental policies of all States should enhance and not adversely
affect the present or future development potential of developing countries,
where action plan and strategies were
nor should they hamper the attainment of better living conditions for all, and developed to move towards a sustainable
appropriate steps should be taken by States and international organizations
with a view to reaching agreement on meeting the possible national and pattern of development. this summit was not
international economic consequences resulting from the application of
environmental measures.
just attended by various states but
https://documents-dds- representative of multiple organisations were
ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/NL7/300/05/IMG/NL730005.pdf?OpenE
lement also present. It was concluded as per the
201 Principle 3, Stockholm Declaration on Human Environment
The capacity of the earth to produce vital renewable resources must be

Brundtland Commission in its report of 1987 that
maintained and, wherever practicable, restored or improved.

the solution to the alarming rate of So, the situation became such that if the
environmental degradation is sustainable present generation could not fulfil its
development. it was now understood that requirements how will the future generations
development and environment were not survive. So that is why this concept gained such
mutually exhaustive, and they weren’t required immense importance.
to be addressed as two separate issues, rather
Post Rio a World Summit for Sustainable
they could be addressed in a mutual way. This
Development was conducted in Johannesburg,
conference concluded that any long-term
2002. The key commitments included
economic progress is ensured over when the
sustainable consumption and production with
environment is protected. The first principle 202
of
water, sanitation, and energy.
the Rio Declaration states that the main
concern of sustainable development are the An institution, International Institute for
human beings, and they are entitled to live a Sustainable Development has been established
healthy and productive life with nature in to ensure a world with stable climate conditions.
harmony. Even the third 203
principle sustainable resources and equitable and fair
encompasses the principle of sustainable economy. Their vision is to make a world where
development and states that the right to the people and the planet thrives. Further the
development must be fulfilled to equitably meet aim of the institution is to improve lives of the
the developmental and environmental needs of population by creating a sustainable world,
the current and future generations. Further the equitable world, and a healthy ecosystem for
fourth principle204 also states that all. There are multiple functions performed by it.
environmental protection is an integral part to It makes legal and economic policies while
achieve sustainable development and the supporting sustainable development. It is
development process cannot take in an enabling to move towards cleaner energy
isolated situation. Principle 8205 states that we sources. IISD’s focus area is ‘CREATE’ i.e., climate,
must reduce and eliminate unsustainable resources, economies, act together and
patterns of production and consumption to engage.
achieve higher quality of life and sustainable
VI. CONCLUSION
development.
We began our research paper with two
There are many other principles in this questions firstly whether the adoption of
declaration that state about sustainable sustainable development has brought a
development. It was the first time that the term balance between current consumption and the
sustainable development was being used in need of future generations and secondly as to
such an extensive sense. The need for the effect population on environment. So, to
sustainable development was such that we answer the first question we can state that we
already reached at a stage where even the with the extensive adoption of sustainable
present generation couldn’t meet all its needs. development we are moving towards a society
where there is some balance, yet a lot is needed
202 PRINCIPLE 1, Rio Conference, to be covered. Even after the laws are enacted
Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development.
They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. their implementation is the important activity
https://www.iau-hesd.net/sites/default/files/documents/rio_e.pdf and we have seen that time and again. We are
203 PRINCIPLE 3 Rio Conference,
The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet moving towards a sustainable development
developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.
204 PRINCIPLE 4 Rio Conference, environment rapidly, but the natural resources
In order to achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall are also being used and depleted at an
constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be
considered in isolation from it. alarming rate to fulfil the current consumption
205 PRINCIPLE 8 Rio Conference,
To achieve sustainable development and a higher quality of life for all requirements. So, while we are using
people, States should reduce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of sustainable methods, we must also understand
production and consumption and promote appropriate demographic policies.

that the consumption needs to be controlled https://documents-dds-

and alternatives must be assessed to leave ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/NL7/300/05/I
enough for the future generations. Increase in MG/NL730005.pdf?OpenElement
population does mean requirement of more  ClearIAS,
resources but it is just one facet of it. Population https://www.clearias.com/stockholm-
demography and urbanisation is an effective declaration/ , (last visited March 15,
driver of sustainable development. High 2023)
population at times leads to reduction of cost  Sustainable Development Commission,
resulting in lower per capita while delivering https://www.sd-
essentials to the public. We have already commission.org.uk/pages/history_sd.ht
discussed at the very beginning of the paper ml, (last visited March 13, 2023)
that the national and international  Government of Canada,
organisations cannot lead to attainment of https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/693.nsf/en
better living conditions, they can only bring in g/h_00019.html, (last visited March 12,
the changes required. The task of actually 2023)
implementing such large-scale changes can  Rio Declaration on environment and
only be done by the general public. So, the development, 1992
citizens are playing and will play an immense https://www.iau-
role to bring in the required changes. hesd.net/sites/default/files/documents/
rio_e.pdf
VII. REFERENCE
 Sustainable Environment Organisation,
 Gunther Handl, ‘Declaration of the United
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 Justice Mensah, ‘Sustainable develop:
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INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW [IJLR] Published by

VOLUME 3 AND ISSUE 2 OF 2023 Institute of Legal Education

APIS – 3920 - 0001 (and) ISSN - 2583-2344 https://iledu.in