Earth Summit - Where next?

  The Earth Summit (also known as the World Summit on Sustainable Development) was a meeting of world leaders to   discuss the future of the planet.
  Betrayal...
  But together they failed to take the scale of action needed to tackle poverty and environment destruction.

  Placards calling for the US to wake up to climate change.

  World leaders allowed US bullying, corporate lobbying and outdated economic thinking to stop progress.
  Only two new targets were agreed:
• Halve by 2015 the proportion of people who don't have access to basic sanitation
• Establish marine protected networks - including some by 2012
  Every other existing commitment was either reaffirmed, watered down or trashed completely.
...tinged with hope...
  But there were a few silver streaks in the otherwise stormy clouds:
• Global laws for big business a possibility
  Governments recognised the need for international agreements for multinationals and protection of people's rights.
• Kyoto Protocol will become law
  Russia and Canada agreed to take steps to ratify the only international agreement on climate change. It could be law   by the end of this year.
  ...for the future?
  Friends of the Earth will continue to push the case for global rules for big business at other world talks including the   World Trade Organisation Summit (Mexico - September 2003).  
  Here in the UK, there's a once in a lifetime opportunity over this n  ext year, as the Government will be reviewing   company law.
  Friends of the Earth will be working with the CORE coalition to make holding companies accountable for their actions   a part of British law.