The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
fourteenth session
in 2006 and
fifteenth session
in 2007 focused on a cluster of thematic issues,
including atmosphere and air pollution.
Protection of the atmosphere is a broad and
multidimensional endeavour involving various sectors of economic
activity. Many of the issues discussed in
Chapter 9 of Agenda 21, on "Protection of the Atmosphere," are also
addressed in such international agreements as the 1985 Vienna Convention
for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, the 1987 Montreal Protocol on
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer as amended, the 1992 United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other international,
including regional, instruments.
Agenda 21 notes, however, that activities that may be
undertaken in pursuit of the objectives of this chapter should be
co-ordinated with social and economic development in an integrated
manner with a view to avoiding adverse impacts on the latter, taking
into full account the legitimate priority needs of developing countries
for the achievement of sustained economic growth and the eradication of
poverty.
Particular attention is given to four programme
areas. These are (1) improving the scientific basis for addressing
uncertainties; (2) preventing stratospheric ozone depletion; (3)
mitigating trans-boundary atmospheric pollution; and (4) promoting
sustainable development with particular reference to (a) energy
development, efficiency and consumption; (b) transportation; (c)
industrial development; and (d) terrestrial and marine resource
development and land use.
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