The outcomes of the World Summit, which took place from 26 August to 4 September 2002 in Johannesburg, are a comprehensive Plan of Implementation, a Political Declaration of the heads of State and government  , as well as an open list of partnerships (“Type II’s”) for implementing Agenda 21, the goals of the Millennium Declaration of the United Nations, and the new sustainability goals agreed in Johannesburg.
In the Plan of Implementation, States reaffirm their commitment to implement the eight development goals agreed in the Millennium Declaration of the United Nations. These encompass:
- Reduction of extreme poverty
- Access to adequate basic education for everyone
- Reduction of child mortality
- Improvement of health and health services for mother and child
- Combating HIV/AIDS and other widespread diseases
- Gender equality
- Sustainable use of natural resources
- Establishing a global and comprehensive partnership for development
The Plan of Implementation further encompasses the following focus areas and time-bound objectives:
- Poverty eradication:
Achieving global sustainability also means reducing the number of people living in extreme poverty. Dismantling barriers to trade for developing countries in the world market, restructuring and strengthening development financing, and securing sustainable energy and water supplies and waste management in development countries have been identified as key points.
- Water/sanitation:
The development goal of reducing the number of people without access to clean drinking water by 2015 has been expanded to include waste management and sanitation.
- Energy:
The goal of fixing the share of renewable energies at a minimum of 15% by 2010 could not be incorporated into the Plan of Implementation. However, the Plan envisions a “substantial increase” in the share of renewable energies and greater efficiency in the energy sector.
- Chemicals:
Greater protection of humans and the environment from chemicals shall be ensured by 2020.
- Sustainable production and consumption:
Call for reversing the consumption trends of the throwaway society and decoupling economic growth and environmental destruction.
- Biodiversity:
The current speed of extinction of species shall be significantly reduced by 2010.
- Fishing:
Fish stocks shall be maintained. A further goal is to restore depleted stocks by 2015. Destructive fishing practices shall be discontinued and additional marine protected areas established by 2012, based on international law and scientific information.
- Trade:
Reaffirmation of the outcomes of the WTO Doha Ministerial Conference in 2001 and the Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey in March 2002.
- Global rules for businesses:
The ecological and social responsibility of globally active businesses is seen as an important component of sustainable development.
- Mountainous regions:
Ensuring a balanced relationship between agriculture, tourism, and environmental protection for purposes of sustainable development of mountainous regions.
Useful links:
- Sustainable development at the UN (www.uno.de/umwelt/index.cfm ):
This German-language website contains the most important outcome documents of the conferences on sustainable development (Johannesburg 2002, Rio 1992, Stockholm 1972)
- United Nations – Sustainable Development (www.un.org/esa/sustdev ):
This website includes the documents of the Rio and Johannesburg conferences and information by the Commission on Sustainable Development
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