The Vienna Convention was signed in 1969 and came into force in 1980.
It provides an international framework for the protection of the ozone layer through cooperation in research, monitoring, and information exchange.
The Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 and entered into force in 1975. India adopted the convention in 1982.
Promotes the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
UNEP was established following the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment in 1972.
Nairobi, Kenya
Acts as the leading global environmental authority and coordinates international environmental activities.
CITES was adopted in 1973 and entered into force in 1975.
Geneva, Switzerland
Regulates international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora.
The Bonn Convention was signed in 1979 and entered into force in 1983.
Bonn, Germany
Conservation of migratory species and their habitats.
Established in 1987.
Introduced and popularized the concept of Sustainable Development.
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Adopted in 1987 and entered into force in 1989.
Protection of the ozone layer through the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances.
Adopted in 1989 and entered into force in 1992.
Control and reduction of the transboundary movement of hazardous waste.
Held in 1992 at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Principles for sustainable development and environmental protection.
Global action plan for sustainable development.
Guidelines for sustainable forest management.
Adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 2005.
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004.
Elimination or restriction of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
Held in 2002 at Johannesburg, South Africa.
Review progress made since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and strengthen commitments toward sustainable development.
Adopted in 1998 and entered into force in 2004.
Regulates international trade of hazardous chemicals and pesticides through the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.
Established in 2008 jointly by:
Geneva
Reducing emissions from:
Held in 2012 at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Renew global political commitment to sustainable development and assess progress since previous Earth Summits.
Adopted in 2013 and entered into force in 2017.
Kumamoto, Japan
Protect human health and the environment from mercury and mercury compounds.
Adopted in 2016 and entered into force in 2019.
Kigali, Rwanda
Gradual phase-down of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Established during 1994–95 and entered into force in 1996.
Combat:
| Convention / Initiative | Year Adopted | Came into Force | Main Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna Convention | 1969 | 1980 | Ozone Layer Protection |
| Ramsar Convention | 1971 | 1975 | Wetland Conservation |
| UNEP | 1972 | — | Global Environmental Governance |
| CITES | 1973 | 1975 | Endangered Species Trade |
| Bonn Convention | 1979 | 1983 | Migratory Species |
| Brundtland Commission | 1987 | — | Sustainable Development |
| Montreal Protocol | 1987 | 1989 | Ozone-Depleting Substances |
| Basel Convention | 1989 | 1992 | Hazardous Waste |
| Earth Summit (UNCED) | 1992 | — | Rio Declaration, Agenda 21 |
| Kyoto Protocol | 1997 | 2005 | Greenhouse Gas Reduction |
| Rotterdam Convention | 1998 | 2004 | Hazardous Chemicals & Pesticides |
| Stockholm Convention | 2001 | 2004 | Persistent Organic Pollutants |
| Rio+10 | 2002 | — | Sustainable Development Review |
| UN-REDD | 2008 | — | Deforestation & Forest Degradation |
| Rio+20 | 2012 | — | Sustainable Development |
| Minamata Convention | 2013 | 2017 | Mercury Control |
| Kigali Amendment | 2016 | 2019 | HFC Phase-Down |
| UNCCD | 1994–95 | 1996 | Desertification & Land Degradation |