Several foundational principles were established at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which helped shape international environmental governance. Besides Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), other key principles included:

1. Precautionary Principle: This principle advises that if there's a risk of significant environmental harm, lack of scientific certainty should not be used as a reason to delay action. Essentially, it promotes a "better safe than sorry" approach to environmental management.

2. Polluter Pays Principle: This principle asserts that those responsible for pollution should bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health or the environment. This concept encourages sustainable production and accountability.

3. Principle of Sustainable Development: The summit emphasized development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This principle underpins the idea that economic growth should go hand-in-hand with environmental protection and social equity.

4. Principle of Participation: The Rio Declaration highlighted the importance of inclusive decision-making, stating that all concerned citizens should have the opportunity to participate in environmental decisions, with access to relevant information and legal processes.

5. Intergenerational Equity: This principle underscores the responsibility to protect the environment not just for current populations but also for future generations. It emphasizes long-term thinking and stewardship of the planet's resources.

6. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): The summit encouraged using EIAs as tools to assess potential environmental impacts of proposed projects or policies, promoting transparency and informed decision-making.

These principles remain central to global environmental agreements and policies, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which were both introduced at the Rio Summit.

Principles of compliance generally refer to guidelines or standards that organizations and individuals follow to ensure adherence to laws, regulations, policies, or codes of conduct. In environmental governance and international agreements, compliance principles help ensure that countries, organizations, or individuals fulfill their commitments and obligations. Here are some key principles of compliance:

• In international environmental agreements, like the Paris Agreement, these principles form the foundation of compliance mechanisms to help countries meet their targets. They also apply across sectors, including corporate governance, financial regulation, and public health.

  1. Transparency: Compliance requires openness and access to information. Entities should clearly report actions, policies, and results to stakeholders and regulatory bodies, allowing for accountability and oversight.

  2. Accountability: Those responsible for following laws, regulations, or agreements should be held accountable for their actions. This involves setting up systems to monitor, evaluate, and correct non-compliant behavior.

  3. Consistency: Compliance processes should be applied consistently across all relevant situations or stakeholders to ensure fairness and reliability in enforcement.

  4. Proportionality: Responses to non-compliance should be proportionate to the nature, severity, and impact of the breach. Minor infractions may require corrective measures, while major breaches could involve stronger penalties.

  5. Due Diligence: Compliance should be proactive, with parties taking steps to prevent violations by anticipating risks, regularly reviewing practices, and ensuring they are aligned with legal and regulatory standards.

  6. Responsiveness: A robust compliance framework allows for swift responses to violations. This involves promptly identifying, investigating, and addressing compliance breaches to prevent harm or escalation.

  7. Integrity and Ethical Standards: Compliance requires entities to uphold ethical principles and integrity, ensuring that actions align with not only the letter of the law but also its spirit, fostering a culture of honesty and ethical conduct.

  8. Capacity Building: Ensuring compliance often involves building the capacity of relevant parties to understand and fulfill their obligations through training, resources, and support.

  9. Continuous Improvement: Compliance is an ongoing process, with regular reviews, audits, and updates to practices and policies to adapt to new regulations, risks, or challenges.