The world is confronted with the twin challenges of achieving a high level of human development, while at the same time not exceeding earth’s finite natural resources. Today, the consumption of biological resources is one-and-a-half times higher than what the world can provide (Global Footprint Network, 2013: 6). Developed countries have achieved a satisfactory level of human development, but their ecological footprints exceed significantly the threshold for environmental sustainability. In contrast, most developing countries are not able to provide sufficient services and material well-being to their citizens although their ecological footprints remain comparatively low. In essence, to date, not a single country has achieved sustainable development that both satisfies human needs and respects nature (UNEP, 2011: 21). Against this backdrop, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable

Development (UNCSD), more commonly known as Rio+20, was organized in June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where world leaders came together to tackle the twin challenges of eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development. High expectations for the UNCSD attracted altogether 44,000 participants from 191 countries, making it the largest sustainability conference ever organized (Bulkeley et al., 2013: 958). The meeting resulted in a 53-page Outcome Document entitled ‘The Future We Want’ that was, subsequently, adopted by the General Assembly in its 68th session (UNGA, 2012b, Res. 66/288). After the meeting, many environmental non-governmental organizations

(ENGOs) expressed disappointment with the results of the Conference; whereas government representatives, including the writers of this chapter, took a more positive stance and argue that Rio+20 represented a turning point for strengthened environmental governance structure, development of global sustainable development goals and growing interest in greening the economy. In addition, the birth of several new initiatives means that more time is needed to understand the Conference’s long-term impacts. Now, three years after Rio+20, it is relevant to take stock of the follow-up to

the Conference. To this end, we shall discuss the main achievements of the Conference, particularly in the context of sustainable use and the conservation of

natural resources. The chapter will show that Rio+20 initiated various significant processes that aim to spearhead a more balanced relationship between the three dimensions of sustainable development.