UPSC Prelims 2016 Question:

With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements:

1. It is a global action plan for sustainable development. 
2. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002.
   
   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation:

• Agenda 21 is a comprehensive and non-binding plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments for sustainable development. "21" in Agenda 21 refers to targets of the 21st century. So, statement 1 is correct.
  
  
• Agenda 21 (the Rio Declaration on Environment and Sustainable Development) was adopted by more than 178 Governments at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) or ‘Earth Summit’ held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), 1992. However, The full implementation of Agenda 21 was strongly reaffirmed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in Johannesburg (South Africa) in 2002. So, statement 2 is not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: Environment | Environmental Organisations and Conventions