Improving assessment and assistance in cases of environmental emergency

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends that UNEP should concentrate on further developing such assessment and assistance.

The Keidanren Global Environment Charter (Japan) requires companies if environmental problems occur as a result of an accident in the course of company activities or deficiency in a product, to adequately explain the situation to all concerned parties and take appropriate measures, using their technologies and human and other resources, to minimize the impact on the environment. Even when a major disaster or environmental accident occurs outside of a company's responsibility, it shall still actively provide technological and other appropriate assistance.