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The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development: Forty Years in the Making

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  • Björn-Ola Linnér

    (Department of Water and Environment Studies and Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden, and Center for Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0488, USA)

  • Henrik Selin

    (Department of International Relations, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

Abstract

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) was mandated to focus on: (i) institutional frameworks for sustainable development and (ii) the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradiation. Analyzing the UNSCD from a historical perspective, we address three questions. First, what is the role of UN conferences on environment and development? Second, how were the UNCSD debates and outcomes connected to over forty years of environment and development cooperation? Third, how may the UNCSD shape ongoing efforts to forward the sustainable development agenda? We begin by summarizing the main arguments of supporters and critics of UN conferences. Next, we examines two sets of institutional frameworks issues: (a) institutional creation and reforms and (b) institutional complexity and participation. This is followed by an examination of two kinds of green economy issues: (1) state-centered economic debates and (2) human-development-focused debates. In the final section we examine opportunities and limitations for making progress on sustainable development. We argue that the UNCSD did little to advance institutional reforms, but that the initiative to formulate Sustainable Development Goals has the potential to significantly influence the sustainable development agenda.

Suggested Citation

  • Björn-Ola Linnér & Henrik Selin, 2013. "The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development: Forty Years in the Making," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 31(6), pages 971-987, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirc:v:31:y:2013:i:6:p:971-987
    DOI: 10.1068/c12287
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Undp, 2010. "HDR 2010 - The Real Wealth of Nations: Pathways to Human Development," Human Development Report (1990 to present), Human Development Report Office (HDRO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), number hdr2010, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Victoria Wibeck & Björn-Ola Linnér & Melisa Alves & Therese Asplund & Anna Bohman & Maxwell T. Boykoff & Pamela M. Feetham & Yi Huang & Januario Nascimento & Jessica Rich & Charles Yvon Rocha & Franco, 2019. "Stories of Transformation: A Cross-Country Focus Group Study on Sustainable Development and Societal Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, April.

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