On June 20-22, 2012 the first Earth Summit in 20 years was held again in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this “marks the 40th anniversary of the first major international political conference that specifically had the word “environment” in its title”.  Officially knowns as the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).  The last Earth Summit was held in Rio in 1992. [1, 2, 3] 40th anniversary of the first major international political conference that specifically had the word “environment” in its title

In January 2012 the committee relesed their “Zero Draft” [6] version of what would be the final document titledThe Future We Want” an extension of the Brundtland Commission’s 1987 “Our Common Futurereport [6].  Members states  were asked to sign onto “10 new sustainable development goals for the planet”.  The “zero draft” was developed by the Co-Chairs and Bureau of the UNCSD Preparatory Committee from March 2011 meetings in New York. [5]

The document was allegedly “leaked” to ahead of time [marketing?!]. [4]

Member States adopted the outcome document The Future We Want that launched a process to develop a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to build upon the Millennium Development Goals. The SDGs were intended [for] all countries, not just developing countries. This paradigm shift moves away from outdated development assumptions of the past, and ensures no one is left behind.” [7]

“The Conference also adopted ground-breaking guidelines on green economy policies” in the “context of sustainable development and poverty eradication”.

On March 14,  2013, the first 30-member Open Working Group (OWG) met, to develop a proposal on the SDGs, they held a total of 13 meetings between March 2013 and July 2014, formulating a report containing 17 SDGs and 169 targets. The OWG submitted their proposal to the UNGA for consideration and action at its 68th session in September 2014″. [7] Ahead of the pivotoal  2015 GA.