Background

• A long-term perspective
• A global vision

No less than 173 heads of state were present and undertook to respect 5 principles:

• The precautionary principle in environmental matters,
• The principle of integrating environmental protection into the development process,
• The principles of responsibility and international solidarity,
• The polluter pays principle,
• The principle of participation in order to ensure a new form of governance.

Agenda 21 was adopted, forming a comprehensive action programme to guide decisions at all levels so that sustainable development becomes a reality.

Sustainable development translates into the idea of a triple result that reconciles 3 values:Economic efficiency (financial capital),

• Ecological "sustainability" or prudence (environmental capital), i.e. the compatibility between human activity in general and that of business in particular and the ability to maintain ecosystems,
• Social responsibility (human capital), the consequences of the activity of a business on all its stakeholders.

1997:

• The New York Conference, called the Second Earth Summit, took stock of the degree to which the Rio commitments had been attained and noted the disagreement between the EU and the United States on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• The Kyoto Conference on climate change included a commitment by 38 industrialised countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions between 2008 and 2012.
• First call for local Agenda 21 proposals.

• Launch of the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), the aim of which is to develop an information framework allowing organisations to report their environmental, social and societal impact.

  This framework is used by businesses around the world.

1999: Creation of the Global Compact by the United Nations.

The The pact is signed by companies undertaking to align their operations and strategies with ten universal principles on human rights, labour standards, the environment, and the fight against corruption.

2000:

• The Millenium Summit for development in New York (UN headquarters). The Millenium Summit (55th session of the United Nations General Assembly) brought together the 189 member countries of the UN.

  This summit adopted the Millennium Declaration which calls for action particularly on poverty, the environment, human rights and Africa.

2001:

• Promulgation in France of the law on "New Economic Regulations" aimed at reducing the harmful effects of internal dysfunctions and of globalisation. From 1 January 2003, listed French companies must report the environmental and social consequences of their activities in their annual management report, along with their financial and accounting information.

• The Kyoto Protocol on climate change, which sets quantified objectives for the reduction of greenhouse gases is ratified by the European Commission. 
• The World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, 10 years after the Rio Earth Summit, addressed water access, energy, health services, and agriculture and biodiversity issues. 
• Establishment of the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development.

2007:

• International conference on climate in Bali. The IPCC concluded that the signs of global warming were unequivocal and called for rapid action by every country. The Bali Action Plan was designed to enable the negotiation of a post-Kyoto agreement at the Copenhagen conference in 2009.
• The first Grenelle Environment Round Table is held in France: it is a multiparty debate forum in France that seeks to define environmental preservation laws and public policy.
• Signature in May of the "Ecological Pact" by all the French presidential candidates.

2009:

• G8 Summit meeting. The G8 pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide by 50% by the year 2050 and those of industrialised countries by 80% compared with 1990 levels.
• International Conference on Climate in Copenhagen. The objective was to reach an agreement that could be ratified and approved in sufficient time to enter into effect before the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012.
• Promulgation in August of the Grenelle Act I. This text prepares the transition to a sustainable energy future for France. The Grenelle II laws (making a national commitment to the environment) were voted by the Senate in October.

2010:

• Promulgation in France of the Grenelle II law. Of particular relevance is article 225 concerning reporting obligations and article 75 on the obligation to produce a greenhouse gas (GHG) report.
• ISO 26000. This public standard provides guidelines for companies who wish to assume responsibility for the impact of their decisions and activities, through seven central issues (governance, human rights, working relations and conditions, environment, fair practices, and consumer, community and local development issues).
• The Cancun Climate Change Conference (COP 16, 16th conference of the parties involved). The objective of this conference was to decide what further action to take on the Kyoto protocol, as the first commitment period is due to expire in 2012. Emission reduction targets are set for 2020, as well as the target to limit the long-term rise in global temperature to 2 degrees.

2011:

• GRI: Publication of a document establishing links between the GRI and ISO 26000 standard, mainly in the form of a correspondence table.
• New CSR strategy (Corporate Social Responsibility) from the European Commission. The European Commission presented its new CSR strategy, with an 8-point action plan for the period 2011-2014. It sees CSR as a performance tool and a solution to the crisis.
• Durban Climate Change Conference (COP 17). The major challenge for this conference was to find a consensus among the parties to establish an agreement following the first commitment period of the Kyoto protocol. An agreement was finally reached for a “roadmap” setting out the bases for a global framework by 2015, which come into force in 2020. The Kyoto protocol was upheld, but with the withdrawal of Canada, Russia and Japan.

2012:

• World Water Forum. The 6th World Water Forum will be held in Marseille. The aim of this session is to highlight water challenges as priorities in politics, and to uphold the universal right to water and sanitation.
• The Rio+20 Summit. The United Nations Conference, 20 years after the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. The aim of this conference will be to evaluate progress in sustainable development concepts and initiatives, to identify shortcomings, and to make a political commitment to sustainable development.

2014:

• Review of the results of the European Commission action plan. The expiry of the European Commission’s 2011-2014 CSR action plan. A meeting has already been scheduled to review its results and adjust its objectives.

2015:

• Expiry of the Millennium Development Goals. The commitments made at the Millennium Summit will expire:
  o to reduce extreme poverty and hunger;
  o to ensure primary education for all;
  o to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women;
  o to reduce infant mortality;
  o to improve maternal health;
  o to fight AIDS, malaria and other diseases;
  o to ensure a sustainable environment;
  o to implement a global partnership for development.