The document summarizes the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes. The Basel Convention aims to reduce hazardous waste movement between nations and prevent developed countries from exporting hazardous waste to less developed countries. It defines hazardous waste and outlines the need for and objectives of the Basel Convention. Key incidents that led to its establishment are also discussed.
The Basel Convention aims to reduce the transboundary movement of hazardous and other wastes and ensure their environmentally sound management. It establishes obligations for its parties to control the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, including a ban on exports to non-OECD countries. The convention also promotes the environmentally sound management of wastes and establishes mechanisms for monitoring, reporting, and compliance. Its strategic framework for 2012-2021 focuses on effective implementation of parties' obligations and strengthening environmentally sound waste management.
The Basel Convention regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes to protect human health and the environment. Adopted in 1989 in response to toxic waste dumping in developing countries, it requires parties to ensure wastes are disposed of in an environmentally sound manner and prevents waste transfers from developed to less developed nations. The 190 member countries, including India, aim to reduce hazardous waste and promote its safe management wherever disposal occurs.
Historical Background of Environmental Laws and Development Policies: Interna...Preeti Sikder
This document provides a historical overview of international environmental law and sustainable development policies from the late 19th century through present day. It discusses major events and agreements including the 1972 Stockholm Declaration, 1987 Brundtland Report, 1992 Rio Earth Summit, 2000 Millennium Development Goals, 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, and the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted in 2015. The document traces the evolution of global cooperation on issues like climate change, biodiversity, and desertification over several decades of international negotiations and agreements.
The History of Climate Change NegotiationsUNDP Eurasia
The document provides a short history of international climate change policy, starting from early scientific studies in the late 19th century through the establishment of the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol. It summarizes the key objectives and principles of the UNFCCC, as well as commitments made by Annex I, Annex II, and other parties. It then discusses the Kyoto Protocol, including its commitments, limitations, and need for future action. It concludes by outlining the AWG-KP and AWG-LCA processes aimed at establishing new commitments beyond the first Kyoto commitment period and a long-term global climate agreement.
Sustainable development emerged in the 1980s and gained momentum with the publication of Our Common Future in 1987. It is defined as development that meets the present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. Key areas of sustainable development are society, environment, and economy. The 1992 Rio Declaration established principles of intergenerational equity, precautionary principle, environmental impact assessment, and polluter pays.
Background of Environmental Laws: International ContextPreeti Sikder
This document provides a history of the development of environmental laws from the 19th century to present day. It discusses key events and agreements including the Stockholm Declaration (1972), Rio Earth Summit (1992), Kyoto Protocol (1997), Millennium Development Goals (2000), Rio+20 Conference (2012), Paris Climate Agreement (2015), and COP24 in Poland (2018). It highlights influential people like Severn Cullis-Suzuki and Greta Thunberg and their calls to action. International agreements like the UNFCCC, CBD, and UNCCD are also examined, in addition to how they are applied in Bangladesh through ratification of treaties.
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Rio Summit or Earth Summit, was a major UN conference held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Over 170 countries participated and agreed to several important environmental agreements and declarations including the Rio Declaration, Agenda 21, and conventions on biological diversity, climate change, and desertification. The summit addressed issues like sustainable production/consumption, alternative energy sources, transportation, water scarcity, and more. It helped launch global discussions around these issues and set targets, though further negotiations were still needed to establish legally binding emissions limits.
The document summarizes key details from several United Nations Earth Summits focused on sustainable development and the environment, held between 1992 and 2012. The main summits discussed were the 1992 Rio Summit, where agreements were reached on Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration; the 2002 Earth Summit in Johannesburg; and Rio+20 in 2012. Key outcomes included frameworks and conventions on climate change, biodiversity, desertification, and commitments to achieve Millennium Development Goals.
The Basel Convention aims to reduce the transboundary movement of hazardous and other wastes and ensure their environmentally sound management. It establishes obligations for its parties to control the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, including a ban on exports to non-OECD countries. The convention also promotes the environmentally sound management of wastes and establishes mechanisms for monitoring, reporting, and compliance. Its strategic framework for 2012-2021 focuses on effective implementation of parties' obligations and strengthening environmentally sound waste management.
The Basel Convention regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes to protect human health and the environment. Adopted in 1989 in response to toxic waste dumping in developing countries, it requires parties to ensure wastes are disposed of in an environmentally sound manner and prevents waste transfers from developed to less developed nations. The 190 member countries, including India, aim to reduce hazardous waste and promote its safe management wherever disposal occurs.
Historical Background of Environmental Laws and Development Policies: Interna...Preeti Sikder
This document provides a historical overview of international environmental law and sustainable development policies from the late 19th century through present day. It discusses major events and agreements including the 1972 Stockholm Declaration, 1987 Brundtland Report, 1992 Rio Earth Summit, 2000 Millennium Development Goals, 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, and the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted in 2015. The document traces the evolution of global cooperation on issues like climate change, biodiversity, and desertification over several decades of international negotiations and agreements.
The History of Climate Change NegotiationsUNDP Eurasia
The document provides a short history of international climate change policy, starting from early scientific studies in the late 19th century through the establishment of the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol. It summarizes the key objectives and principles of the UNFCCC, as well as commitments made by Annex I, Annex II, and other parties. It then discusses the Kyoto Protocol, including its commitments, limitations, and need for future action. It concludes by outlining the AWG-KP and AWG-LCA processes aimed at establishing new commitments beyond the first Kyoto commitment period and a long-term global climate agreement.
Sustainable development emerged in the 1980s and gained momentum with the publication of Our Common Future in 1987. It is defined as development that meets the present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. Key areas of sustainable development are society, environment, and economy. The 1992 Rio Declaration established principles of intergenerational equity, precautionary principle, environmental impact assessment, and polluter pays.
Background of Environmental Laws: International ContextPreeti Sikder
This document provides a history of the development of environmental laws from the 19th century to present day. It discusses key events and agreements including the Stockholm Declaration (1972), Rio Earth Summit (1992), Kyoto Protocol (1997), Millennium Development Goals (2000), Rio+20 Conference (2012), Paris Climate Agreement (2015), and COP24 in Poland (2018). It highlights influential people like Severn Cullis-Suzuki and Greta Thunberg and their calls to action. International agreements like the UNFCCC, CBD, and UNCCD are also examined, in addition to how they are applied in Bangladesh through ratification of treaties.
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Rio Summit or Earth Summit, was a major UN conference held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Over 170 countries participated and agreed to several important environmental agreements and declarations including the Rio Declaration, Agenda 21, and conventions on biological diversity, climate change, and desertification. The summit addressed issues like sustainable production/consumption, alternative energy sources, transportation, water scarcity, and more. It helped launch global discussions around these issues and set targets, though further negotiations were still needed to establish legally binding emissions limits.
The document summarizes key details from several United Nations Earth Summits focused on sustainable development and the environment, held between 1992 and 2012. The main summits discussed were the 1992 Rio Summit, where agreements were reached on Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration; the 2002 Earth Summit in Johannesburg; and Rio+20 in 2012. Key outcomes included frameworks and conventions on climate change, biodiversity, desertification, and commitments to achieve Millennium Development Goals.
The Convention on Biological Diversity was held in Rio De Janiero, Brazil in 1992 with the goal of protecting biological diversity worldwide. It established principles for the conservation of biological diversity between countries and the sustainable use and fair sharing of genetic resources. The convention created a governing body called the Conference of Parties to oversee decision making and implementation of the convention by member countries through national strategies and financial support for developing countries. The convention aimed to reduce biodiversity loss by 2010 but has yet to fully achieve its goals.
THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION ITS IMPLICATIONS AND BENEFITS TO UGANDA.
RIO Multi-lateral Environment Agreements and National Frameworks in Uganda
ON 8TH NOVEMBER 2019
By Stephen Muwaya UNCCD National Focal Point
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
The document discusses international environmental law and proposes actions to address global warming. It provides background on IEL, outlines issues in the past regarding definitions and effectiveness. It then proposes that governments help nationally/locally to meet commitments, through political will, technology transfers, and the polluter pays principle. Conclusions note potential impacts of warming and that environmental protection will continue competing with economic interests globally. Case studies show the Trail Smelter arbitration and France's nuclear testing disputes.
- The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that sets binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for industrialized countries.
- The goal is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to help prevent dangerous climate change. Countries agreed on average reductions of 5.2% from 1990 levels by 2012.
- The United States signed but later withdrew from the agreement in 2001, citing negative economic impacts. Many other countries have ratified it but it faces challenges in comprehensively addressing long-term climate change.
The document discusses the history and goals of the environmental justice movement. It began in the US in the late 1960s when Martin Luther King Jr advocated for striking garbage workers facing unfair working conditions. The EPA defines environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of attributes like race in environmental policy. It aims to give all people equal protection from hazards and decision making power over their environment. The document also discusses how environmental justice applies in Bangladesh through demands like food/water security, participation rights, and protections from disasters, pollution, and loss of resources.
The document discusses the concepts of environment and sustainable development. It provides definitions of sustainable development from the Brundtland Commission report in 1987. The key principle of sustainable development is integrating environmental, social and economic concerns into decision making. Bangladesh faces many environmental challenges including degradation of natural resources, pollution, and climate change impacts. The country has developed policies and strategies to protect the environment but continues to face threats such as habitat loss, species extinction, and degradation of forests and biodiversity hotspots. Regional cooperation is needed to address issues like protecting the Sundarbans mangrove forest from climate change impacts.
This document discusses environmental laws, treaties, and policies. It provides an overview of what environmental laws regulate and their general functions. It also defines environmental treaties and policies. Finally, it presents a timeline of major environmental treaties from 1962 to 1997, including conventions to prevent oil pollution at sea, protect wetlands, regulate ship pollution, protect endangered species, combat air pollution and ozone depletion, manage hazardous waste, protect biodiversity, address climate change, industrial accidents, desertification, and set targets for reducing greenhouse gases.
The document discusses global warming and the Kyoto Protocol. It provides background on global warming, its causes from greenhouse gas emissions, and its effects. It then summarizes the Kyoto Protocol, which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 2008-2012. The Protocol established legally binding emissions targets for industrialized countries and flexible mechanisms to help countries meet their reduction targets cost-effectively. However, the US withdrew from the agreement and it faced criticism for not including developing countries.
This document discusses wildlife conservation strategies and environmental legislation in India. It outlines the aims of wildlife conservation as maintaining nature's balance, preserving rare species from extinction, and preventing deforestation. Several international organizations that promote conservation are mentioned, including the IUCN, WWF, UNCED, and UNEP. The development of India's environmental legislation since the fourth five-year plan is also summarized.
Environmental conventions and protocols.
. Introduction to the Terms.
• Contrast between the Terms.
• Principal Global initiatives and Participations.
• Significance.
• Results.
• Core locations.
• Implementing Organisations.
• Major Conventions and;
• Major Protocols.
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference under UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP26, was the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference, held at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, from 31 October to 13 November 2021.
The Environment (Protection) Act of 1986 provides the central government authority to protect the environment from pollution and regulate industrial activity. It established rules for emissions standards, hazardous waste management, and regulating hazardous chemicals and genetically modified organisms. The Act introduced penalties for non-compliance and empowers the government to appoint officers to enforce its objectives. Landmark court cases have helped define concepts like polluter pays principle and enforced remediation measures for water and air pollution incidents.
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act of 1997 provides the framework for protecting the environment in Pakistan. Some key points:
- It established the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) chaired by the Prime Minister to coordinate environmental policy.
- It created the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) headed by a Director General to implement environmental policies and standards.
- It requires projects to complete an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and get approval.
- It prohibits the import of hazardous waste and handling of hazardous substances without a license.
- It establishes environmental tribunals to adjudicate environmental offenses, which are punishable by fines or imprisonment.
Presentation By Shri Mahesh Pandya, Director, Paryavaranmitra shown at The institution of Engineers, Gujarat State Center, Ahmedabad
Note: Views expressed by the author are his own. Placing this presentation here does not mean IEI GSC is in agreement with the same.
Barrister raihan khalid laws regulating eia in bangladeshbd7273
The document outlines the laws regulating environmental impact assessment in Bangladesh, including the Environment Policy of 1992, Environment Conservation Act of 1995, and Environment Conservation Rules of 1997. Key points include: the Department of Environment undertakes final approval of all EIA applications; industrial projects require an environmental clearance certificate or face penalties like imprisonment or fines; projects are classified into four categories (green, orange A/B, red) with red category requiring environmental impact assessments.
The document discusses the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. It was adopted in 1989 in response to toxic waste dumping in developing countries. The convention's objectives are to reduce hazardous waste production and ensure proper management of wastes wherever disposal occurs. It regulates cross-border waste transport and promotes cooperation between parties.
Montreal protocol, Kyoto protocol & Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)Nethravathi Siri
The document discusses several major international environmental agreements:
1) The Montreal Protocol aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out ozone-depleting substances. It has achieved universal ratification and has put the ozone layer on a path to recovery.
2) The Kyoto Protocol, under the UNFCCC, sets binding emissions reduction targets for developed countries to reduce greenhouse gases. Its goals are to lower emissions of six key gases and establish the Clean Development Mechanism.
3) The Convention on Biological Diversity aims to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable use and sharing of genetic resources. It includes programs on forests, islands, inland waters and more.
This document provides an overview of several key international environmental conventions, policies, and protocols. It summarizes the objectives and key articles of conventions related to biodiversity, climate change, hazardous waste, and more. Major agreements discussed include the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. The document also provides details on the origins and objectives of the UN conferences that led to the establishment of these global environmental treaties.
Rio declaration on environment and development.docTumi Ryngkhlem
The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development consisted of 27 principles to guide sustainable development. It established that human beings are at the center of sustainable development concerns. It also recognized the sovereignty of states to exploit their resources pursuant to their environmental and development policies, while ensuring activities don't harm other states. Additionally, it stated the right to development must equitably meet needs of present and future generations, and that environmental protection is integral to development.
The Bamako Convention is a treaty signed by African nations in 1991 that prohibits the import of any hazardous or radioactive waste into Africa. It aims to minimize transboundary movement of hazardous wastes within Africa and bans ocean dumping or incineration of such wastes. The convention came into force in 1998 and has been ratified by 29 countries.
The document summarizes several key international environmental agreements and conventions. It discusses the Ramsar Convention which protects wetlands, the Bonn Convention on migratory species, the World Heritage Convention which protects cultural and natural sites, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, CITES which regulates wildlife trade, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Basel Convention on hazardous waste, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Montreal Protocol on ozone depleting substances, the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions, and the Paris Agreement. The conventions establish frameworks and principles of international cooperation to address various environmental issues.
The Convention on Biological Diversity was held in Rio De Janiero, Brazil in 1992 with the goal of protecting biological diversity worldwide. It established principles for the conservation of biological diversity between countries and the sustainable use and fair sharing of genetic resources. The convention created a governing body called the Conference of Parties to oversee decision making and implementation of the convention by member countries through national strategies and financial support for developing countries. The convention aimed to reduce biodiversity loss by 2010 but has yet to fully achieve its goals.
THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION ITS IMPLICATIONS AND BENEFITS TO UGANDA.
RIO Multi-lateral Environment Agreements and National Frameworks in Uganda
ON 8TH NOVEMBER 2019
By Stephen Muwaya UNCCD National Focal Point
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
The document discusses international environmental law and proposes actions to address global warming. It provides background on IEL, outlines issues in the past regarding definitions and effectiveness. It then proposes that governments help nationally/locally to meet commitments, through political will, technology transfers, and the polluter pays principle. Conclusions note potential impacts of warming and that environmental protection will continue competing with economic interests globally. Case studies show the Trail Smelter arbitration and France's nuclear testing disputes.
- The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that sets binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for industrialized countries.
- The goal is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to help prevent dangerous climate change. Countries agreed on average reductions of 5.2% from 1990 levels by 2012.
- The United States signed but later withdrew from the agreement in 2001, citing negative economic impacts. Many other countries have ratified it but it faces challenges in comprehensively addressing long-term climate change.
The document discusses the history and goals of the environmental justice movement. It began in the US in the late 1960s when Martin Luther King Jr advocated for striking garbage workers facing unfair working conditions. The EPA defines environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of attributes like race in environmental policy. It aims to give all people equal protection from hazards and decision making power over their environment. The document also discusses how environmental justice applies in Bangladesh through demands like food/water security, participation rights, and protections from disasters, pollution, and loss of resources.
The document discusses the concepts of environment and sustainable development. It provides definitions of sustainable development from the Brundtland Commission report in 1987. The key principle of sustainable development is integrating environmental, social and economic concerns into decision making. Bangladesh faces many environmental challenges including degradation of natural resources, pollution, and climate change impacts. The country has developed policies and strategies to protect the environment but continues to face threats such as habitat loss, species extinction, and degradation of forests and biodiversity hotspots. Regional cooperation is needed to address issues like protecting the Sundarbans mangrove forest from climate change impacts.
This document discusses environmental laws, treaties, and policies. It provides an overview of what environmental laws regulate and their general functions. It also defines environmental treaties and policies. Finally, it presents a timeline of major environmental treaties from 1962 to 1997, including conventions to prevent oil pollution at sea, protect wetlands, regulate ship pollution, protect endangered species, combat air pollution and ozone depletion, manage hazardous waste, protect biodiversity, address climate change, industrial accidents, desertification, and set targets for reducing greenhouse gases.
The document discusses global warming and the Kyoto Protocol. It provides background on global warming, its causes from greenhouse gas emissions, and its effects. It then summarizes the Kyoto Protocol, which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 2008-2012. The Protocol established legally binding emissions targets for industrialized countries and flexible mechanisms to help countries meet their reduction targets cost-effectively. However, the US withdrew from the agreement and it faced criticism for not including developing countries.
This document discusses wildlife conservation strategies and environmental legislation in India. It outlines the aims of wildlife conservation as maintaining nature's balance, preserving rare species from extinction, and preventing deforestation. Several international organizations that promote conservation are mentioned, including the IUCN, WWF, UNCED, and UNEP. The development of India's environmental legislation since the fourth five-year plan is also summarized.
Environmental conventions and protocols.
. Introduction to the Terms.
• Contrast between the Terms.
• Principal Global initiatives and Participations.
• Significance.
• Results.
• Core locations.
• Implementing Organisations.
• Major Conventions and;
• Major Protocols.
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference under UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP26, was the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference, held at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, from 31 October to 13 November 2021.
The Environment (Protection) Act of 1986 provides the central government authority to protect the environment from pollution and regulate industrial activity. It established rules for emissions standards, hazardous waste management, and regulating hazardous chemicals and genetically modified organisms. The Act introduced penalties for non-compliance and empowers the government to appoint officers to enforce its objectives. Landmark court cases have helped define concepts like polluter pays principle and enforced remediation measures for water and air pollution incidents.
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act of 1997 provides the framework for protecting the environment in Pakistan. Some key points:
- It established the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) chaired by the Prime Minister to coordinate environmental policy.
- It created the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) headed by a Director General to implement environmental policies and standards.
- It requires projects to complete an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and get approval.
- It prohibits the import of hazardous waste and handling of hazardous substances without a license.
- It establishes environmental tribunals to adjudicate environmental offenses, which are punishable by fines or imprisonment.
Presentation By Shri Mahesh Pandya, Director, Paryavaranmitra shown at The institution of Engineers, Gujarat State Center, Ahmedabad
Note: Views expressed by the author are his own. Placing this presentation here does not mean IEI GSC is in agreement with the same.
Barrister raihan khalid laws regulating eia in bangladeshbd7273
The document outlines the laws regulating environmental impact assessment in Bangladesh, including the Environment Policy of 1992, Environment Conservation Act of 1995, and Environment Conservation Rules of 1997. Key points include: the Department of Environment undertakes final approval of all EIA applications; industrial projects require an environmental clearance certificate or face penalties like imprisonment or fines; projects are classified into four categories (green, orange A/B, red) with red category requiring environmental impact assessments.
The document discusses the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. It was adopted in 1989 in response to toxic waste dumping in developing countries. The convention's objectives are to reduce hazardous waste production and ensure proper management of wastes wherever disposal occurs. It regulates cross-border waste transport and promotes cooperation between parties.
Montreal protocol, Kyoto protocol & Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)Nethravathi Siri
The document discusses several major international environmental agreements:
1) The Montreal Protocol aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out ozone-depleting substances. It has achieved universal ratification and has put the ozone layer on a path to recovery.
2) The Kyoto Protocol, under the UNFCCC, sets binding emissions reduction targets for developed countries to reduce greenhouse gases. Its goals are to lower emissions of six key gases and establish the Clean Development Mechanism.
3) The Convention on Biological Diversity aims to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable use and sharing of genetic resources. It includes programs on forests, islands, inland waters and more.
This document provides an overview of several key international environmental conventions, policies, and protocols. It summarizes the objectives and key articles of conventions related to biodiversity, climate change, hazardous waste, and more. Major agreements discussed include the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. The document also provides details on the origins and objectives of the UN conferences that led to the establishment of these global environmental treaties.
Rio declaration on environment and development.docTumi Ryngkhlem
The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development consisted of 27 principles to guide sustainable development. It established that human beings are at the center of sustainable development concerns. It also recognized the sovereignty of states to exploit their resources pursuant to their environmental and development policies, while ensuring activities don't harm other states. Additionally, it stated the right to development must equitably meet needs of present and future generations, and that environmental protection is integral to development.
The Bamako Convention is a treaty signed by African nations in 1991 that prohibits the import of any hazardous or radioactive waste into Africa. It aims to minimize transboundary movement of hazardous wastes within Africa and bans ocean dumping or incineration of such wastes. The convention came into force in 1998 and has been ratified by 29 countries.
The document summarizes several key international environmental agreements and conventions. It discusses the Ramsar Convention which protects wetlands, the Bonn Convention on migratory species, the World Heritage Convention which protects cultural and natural sites, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, CITES which regulates wildlife trade, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Basel Convention on hazardous waste, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Montreal Protocol on ozone depleting substances, the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions, and the Paris Agreement. The conventions establish frameworks and principles of international cooperation to address various environmental issues.
The document discusses the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement signed in 1997 aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It notes that Quebec and Canada produce large amounts of greenhouse gases and that transportation accounts for 42.5% of emissions in Quebec. The electric vehicle market in Quebec is still small, with only around 2,800 electric vehicles owned in 2014. Demand for electric vehicles is concentrated in areas with more charging stations like Montérégie. The document examines efforts by governments in Quebec and Canada to promote more environmentally friendly initiatives and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The document discusses several key environmental conventions:
- The Basel Convention regulates transboundary movements of hazardous waste and promotes environmentally sound waste management. It was amended in 1995 to ban waste exports from developed to developing countries.
- The Bamako Convention bans all hazardous waste imports into Africa and regulates trade within the continent. It has stronger prohibitions than Basel.
- The London Convention addresses dumping waste at sea, classifying substances into blacklisted and greylisted categories with different restrictions.
International conventions for the protection of environmentMariam Rafiq Malik
The document summarizes several key international conventions and agreements related to environmental protection, including the Vienna Convention, Montreal Protocol, Rio Conference, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement. It also discusses Pakistan's participation in these conventions, noting times they were ratified or accepted. The overall purpose is to protect the ozone layer and address climate change through coordinated global cooperation.
Unfccc, kyoto protocol, montreal protocol, pollution, international conventio...Rushell Rousseau
The document summarizes the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Montreal Protocol. The UNFCCC is a 1992 treaty aimed at stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations to prevent dangerous climate change. It lacks enforcement but established a framework for negotiating protocols like Kyoto. Kyoto set binding emissions reduction targets for developed nations from 2008-2012. The Montreal Protocol is a 1987 agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances to protect the stratospheric ozone layer and reduce global warming.
The Basel Convention regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes to protect human health and the environment. Adopted in 1989 in response to toxic waste dumping in developing countries, it requires parties to manage hazardous waste in an environmentally sound manner and restricts movement between nations, especially from developed to less developed countries. The 190 member countries must reduce hazardous waste and promote proper management wherever disposal occurs.
Conventions About Oil & Gas & the Greek LawGeorge Demiris
The document discusses several international conventions related to oil, gas, and the environment. It provides definitions of key terms like "convention" and explains that conventions set frameworks for specific treaties but are not legally binding. It summarizes several major conventions:
1) The UNFCCC aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations and prevent climate change, but set no country emissions limits.
2) The Kyoto Protocol established legally binding emissions reduction obligations and allows trading to meet targets.
3) The Convention on Biological Diversity has goals of conserving biodiversity and sharing benefits from genetic resources.
4) The OPRC Convention requires measures for oil pollution preparedness and response and applies to vessels and offshore installations
The document provides an overview of global and national interactions related to climate change politics. At the global level, it discusses the key players in producing climate change evidence like the IPCC and scientific journals. It also outlines several important international agreements on climate change like the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement. At the national level, it examines the climate policies and commitments of governments in countries like the US, China, Canada, and Australia at both the federal and state/provincial levels. It provides details on the key climate plans and initiatives of these different governments.
The document discusses environmental protection movements and international conventions related to the environment. It describes how environmentalism covers broad areas like consumption of natural resources, pollution, and exposure to toxins. The movement focuses on environmental science, activism, advocacy, and justice. International conventions establish standards for preserving natural resources and protecting the environment. The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change through systems like carbon trading between countries.
The document summarizes the outcomes and next steps following COP21 in Paris.
The key points are:
1) COP21 resulted in an ambitious and universal agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C. The agreement establishes a framework for increasing national climate commitments over time.
2) The Lima-Paris Action Agenda engaged thousands of non-state actors in cooperative climate initiatives.
3) Key priorities for 2016 include promoting ratification of the agreement, implementing pre-2020 commitments, and continuing to mobilize climate action and finance globally.
This is a presentation on one of the topic of environmental law. It deals with Rio Declaration which is a very important summit in the history of environmental law.
MEAs, or Multilateral Environmental Agreements, are agreements between states to address environmental issues. They can establish legally binding obligations or set non-binding principles. MEAs aim to remedy transboundary environmental problems and are negotiated and agreed upon by many states. They cover issues like biodiversity, land and marine protection, atmospheric and waste pollution. MEAs create frameworks for international cooperation on important global environmental challenges.
The document discusses the Kyoto Protocol, which was an agreement reached in Kyoto, Japan in 1997 where 160 countries agreed to legally binding emissions reductions of greenhouse gases. Specifically, industrialized nations agreed to an average 5.2% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels between 2008-2012. The Kyoto Protocol aimed to lower emissions of six key greenhouse gases to curb global warming and restore emissions to pre-industrial levels.
Global meets and conferences on EnvironmentT. Tamilselvan
The document summarizes several major global conferences and agreements related to the environment, including:
- The UNCCUR in 1949 which focused on international cooperation around natural resource management.
- The Ramsar Convention of 1971 which aims to conserve and sustainably use wetlands through local and national action. It has over 2,000 designated wetland sites.
- The World Heritage Convention of 1972 which identifies and helps protect important cultural and natural sites around the world.
- The Washington Convention (CITES) of 1973 which regulates international trade in endangered species and has protected over 35,000 plant and animal species.
- The Montreal Protocol of 1987 which is aimed at protecting the ozone layer and has been
World Trade Organisation Rules and Environmental PoliciesHussain Shah
This article talks about Sustainable development and protection and preservation of the environment are fundamental goals of the WTO. They are enshrined in the Marrakesh Agreement, which established the WTO, and complement the WTO’s objective to reduce trade barriers and eliminate discriminatory treatment in international trade relations. While there is no specific agreement dealing with the environment, under WTO rules members can adopt trade-related measures aimed at protecting the environment provided a number of conditions to avoid the misuse of such measures for protectionist ends are fulfilled.
The document summarizes key outcomes and discussions from COP17 in Durban, South Africa. There was initial lack of optimism due to disagreements between developed and developing countries. However, an agreement was reached to establish a universal legal agreement on emissions reductions by 2020 that would apply to all countries. The Durban Platform established a roadmap for negotiations toward a new treaty, but opinions were mixed on whether the outcome was sufficient to address the scale of the climate change problem.
International environmental law emerged in the 1960s as global ecological degradation increased. It includes treaties, conventions, and agreements between states addressing issues like pollution, climate change, and biodiversity. While these laws aim to slow environmental damage, widespread degradation continues. International environmental law faces challenges of uneven state compliance and lack of enforcement. Improving compliance with existing treaties through sanctions and support for developing states may help strengthen these laws.
The document provides an overview of key concepts and the historical development of international environmental law. It discusses:
1) Definitions of "environment" from various sources that broadly refer to natural and human-made surroundings that influence life.
2) Factors that gave rise to environmental law including transboundary pollution problems requiring state cooperation and balancing environmental protection with economic development.
3) Four periods of the historical development of international environmental law from early bilateral treaties to the 1972 Stockholm Conference and establishment of principles of international environmental cooperation and state responsibility.
The GE WorkOut process is a method used to streamline processes, eliminate non-value added work, quickly identify and meet new business initiatives, and build an empowered workforce. It involves cross-functional teams analyzing problems and developing recommendations to meet goals set by leadership. The process has key elements of bottom-up idea generation by those closest to the work, followed by top-down approval and implementation of solutions within 90 days. When implemented successfully, it can help organizations become more efficient and responsive to changing market conditions.
A small ppt on the recruitment and selection practices @ yahoo with focus at the entry level as also how the process works in places which need constant creativity
TI faced the challenge of assessing training needs for technical employees who were being asked to become instructors, while also working within time constraints. They developed a three-tiered approach involving external specialists, a needs assessment model, and staff surveys, interviews, and observations. This identified 117 important tasks across 5 job areas and inconsistencies between observed instruction and staff needs. The final report made strengths and training recommendations to address identified needs.
1) Gandhi has awakened Indian nationalism in a way no one else could, but he has also unleashed forces he cannot fully control.
2) Initially seen as a spiritual figure, Gandhi became known as "Mahatma" Gandhi and emerged as a complex political leader meaning different things to different people. He sincerely believes in nonviolence but his association with militant Muslim groups concerned some.
3) The author met Gandhi and came to believe in his honesty, though remained skeptical of some of his political tactics and associations with causes the author saw as wrong, like supporting the Ottoman Empire. Gandhi sincerely believed in buying Muslim friendship and unity between Hindus and Muslims as crucial to Indian independence
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1. NMIMS
BASEL CONVENTION ON
TRANS-BOUNDARY
MOVEMENT OF
HAZARDOUS WASTES
Environmental Studies
Ravishankar Duvvuri
MBA-HR, 2007-09
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
2. BASEL CONVENTION ON TRANS-BOUNDARY
MOVEMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTES
The Basel Convention is an international treaty designed to to reduce the movements of
hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste
from developed to less developed countries (LDCs). It represents the only global and
comprehensive international legal instrument that addresses the integrated dimension of
hazardous waste and it provides for an effective and stringent system for controlling their
trans-boundary movements and ensuring their proper disposal; it clearly defines the
obligations of Parties to comply with its provisions. The Basel Convention is one of the
most important instruments in the transformation to a clean production-based economy –
a prerequisite for sustainable development. It is not just about stopping pollution being
transferred from richer to poorer. It goes beyond „Not in My Back Yard‟ to „Not on
Planet Earth‟.
Definition of hazardous waste: A waste will fall under the scope of the Convention if it
is it within the category of wastes listed in Annex I of the Convention and it does not
exhibit one of the hazardous characteristics contained in Annex III. In other words it must
both be listed and contain a characteristic such as being explosive, flammable, toxic, or
corrosive. The other way that a waste may fall under the scope of the Convention is if it
is defined as or considered to be a hazardous waste under the laws of either the exporting
country, the importing country, or and of the countries of transit.Article 2 contains a
broad definition that includes many recyclable materials.Annex II lists other wastes such
as household wastes and residue that comes from incinerating household waste.
Radioactive waste that is covered under other international control systems and wastes
from the normal operation of ships is not covered.
Need for creation of Basel convention: The international community first began to
recognize the need for urgent action on hazardous wastes in the early 1980s. Work began
then, under UNEP‟s auspices, to elaborate a global instrument on managing wastes in an
environmentally sound way, on their movements across boundaries, and on their disposal.
Incidents which expedited the creation of the Basel Convention: In the late 1980s, a
flurry of incidents in developing countries made waste trade a politically charged
international issue and prompted nations to address this issue unilaterally and through
bilateral, regional, and international agreements. 2 main trigger incidents were
1. The Khian Sea waste disposal incident, in which a ship carrying incinerator ash
from the city of Philadelphia in the United States after having dumped half of its load on
a beach in Haiti, was forced away where it sailed for many months, changing its name
several times. Unable to unload the cargo in any port, the crew ended up dumping much
of it at sea.
3. 2. Another is the 1988 Koko case in which 5 ships transported 8,000 barrels of
hazardous waste from Italy to the small town of Koko in Nigeria in exchange for $100
monthly rent which was paid to a Nigerian for the use of his farmland
The resulting Basel Convention – which was adopted unanimously by 116 states meeting
in the Swiss city in 1989, and which entered into force on 5 May 1992 – is the broadest
and most significant international treaty on the trans-boundary movement and
environmentally sound disposal of hazardous wastes. The Convention has 170 Parties
now.
Objectives of Basel Convention: The Convention‟s overall goal is to protect human
health and the environment against the ill-effects of generating and handling hazardous
and other wastes, and from moving them across boundaries. Other objectives include:
Reducing trans-boundary movements of wastes to the minimum, consistent with
managing them in environmentally sound and efficient ways, and controlling
those permitted under the terms of the Convention.
Minimizing the amount of hazardous wastes that are generated, and ensuring that
they are managed in environmentally sound ways.
Helping developing countries with the environmentally sound management of the
hazardous and other wastes they generate.
The Convention helps to reduce waste by preventing hazardous shipments in five
situations
1. Both importing and exporting Parties are required to block the movement of waste
that the importing state does not want.
2. They must prevent any shipment to which the importing state has not formally
consented in writing.
3. The exporter should prohibit any shipment if it has reason to believe that the
wastes will not be managed in an environmentally sound way.
4. All Parties must prevent any shipment intended for disposal in Antarctica.
5. And they must not trade in any waste involving a country that is not Party to the
Convention.
Early years and the path of least resistance: During the first years of the
Convention it became clear that the export of hazardous waste to developing countries
had to be tackled as a specific issue. Many developing countries did not have the
administrative and scientific resources to handle such imports. There was a moral
obligation to protect them from the risks involved.
Some industries had reacted to the stopping of ocean dumping, more stringent
environmental protection regulations and higher disposal costs in the rich nations, by
seeking an alternative solution to waste disposal – dumping on the poor.
The waste trade follows the path of least resistance. The poorer and less informed the
community (or country), the more likely it is to become a target for the traders. So poorer
4. communities always ended up with a disproportionate share of toxic waste.
As the Basel Convention was coming into being, both developing countries and
environmentalists alike wanted to end this destructive dynamic with a ban on the export
of all hazardous waste from rich nations (who generate most of it) to the less
industrialized ones. But, when the Convention was adopted in 1989, it fell far short of
this. It originally merely set out to monitor the movement of waste, rather than to prevent
it, and so was heavily criticized for legalizing what many considered a crime.
Africa took the lead , Latin America and Asia followed
Africa, the first target for hazardous waste dumping, reacted by being the first to establish
a regional ban on waste imports – the Bamako Convention. Latin America followed with
a number of national bans and a regional agreement between Central American
governments. Then the Mediterranean and Pacific States established their own regional
bans in the Barcelona Convention and the Waigani Treaty.
As a result Asia became the main target of the dumpers. In addition, waste dumping
became disguised as „recycling‟, with hazardous waste renamed as „products‟ or
„secondary raw material‟. Even so-called legitimate hazardous waste recycling creates a
circle of poison – generating, recycling and disposing of hazardous materials with
pollution at each stage.
In all, it took almost a decade for the international community to accept the message from
the developing world to the industrialized nations: „We Don‟t Want Your Toxic Waste!‟
The historical 1994 Basel Ban decision (incorporated as an amendment to the Convention
in 1995) – prohibiting the wealthy, OECD countries from exporting hazardous waste for
any reason, including recycling, to non-OECD states – set the record straight.
The proposal was put forward by the developing countries themselves and adopted
unanimously. The process of change was by no means smooth. Many industries fought
heated campaigns for free trade in hazardous wastes. Some used misinformation and
economic terror tactics. A few OECD governments constantly used their political
machines to try to undermine the Basel Ban by weakening its language, questioning its
definitions and threatening to circumvent it.
There was a clear division. On one side were dirty industry – and some industrialized
governments taking instructions from it. On the other were the majority of states and
those industries willing to move towards cleaner alternatives. Thus a few countries, with
the greatest capacity for dealing with the hazardous waste crisis, became the main
obstacle to solving it. Fortunately, the will of the majority prevailed. A number of
countries adjusted their national legislation accordingly.
The United States had played a major role in developing the 1989 Basel Convention. So
in 1995, when Basel Parties adopted an amendment to ban the export of hazardous
wastes from highly industrialized countries to all other countries, the pending ban, in
combination with the uncertainty about which recyclable wastes would be covered by it,
caused U.S. interest in Basel ratification to decline. In February 1998, however, Basel
5. Parties resolved the issue of which recyclable wastes were exempt from the Convention.
Consequently, Congressional committees in the 105th US Congress again expressed
interest in taking up implementing legislation.
The aims of the Basel Convention too got modified and enriched due to inclusion of
the Basel Ban. They are:
Minimize – and aim to eliminate – the generation of hazardous waste and its
movement across boundaries.
Ban the transfer of pollution and implement pollution prevention. The richest
nations generate most toxic waste and should be responsible for their own waste
crisis. Unless the floodgates that allow toxic waste to flow from rich to poor
communities are closed, there will be no incentive to prevent it being generated.
Take responsibility. All nations should handle their waste crisis in
environmentally sound ways, placing the emphasis on avoiding generating
hazardous waste.
Tackle the causes not the symptoms. A sustainable future can only be obtained by
changing manufacturing processes. When polluting industries stop using
hazardous materials, they stop producing toxic waste. That is clean production.
Clean production is not a futuristic concept, but a current reality. Cleaner alternatives
are being introduced into the market. Toxic organic solvents used to de-grease metal
surfaces and circuit boards, for example, have been replaced by citrus-based oils – or just
soap and water.
The electronics industry fought, during the Basel Ban negotiations, to keep computer
nickel-cadmium batteries out of the scope of the waste trade ban. After it lost, the same
industry introduced over 10 alternative batteries – all free of such heavy metals. This
is an example of the Basel Ban creating market opportunities for cleaner alternatives. As
cheap and dirty escape routes are closed, polluting industries are forced to address and
implement real, non-polluting solutions.
Problem of increasing wastes: With serious question marks over both landfill and
incineration – and with the trade coming under control – the problem of what to do with
hazardous wastes (and wastes of all sorts) is increasing. And so are the wastes
themselves. It is estimated that every tonne of goods produced gives rise to at least 10
tonnes of waste, and often more.
Indian issues:
INDIA ceased to be the leading destination for hazardous waste after the Supreme Court
in May 1997 imposed a blanket ban on all such imports. India, Indonesia, the Philippines
and China remain the major destinations of toxic waste. According to environmental
6. activists, lead ash, battery cell scrap, asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyles (PCBs) are
dumped at Indian ports. Greenpeace International has reported the import of toxic waste
into India even after the May 1997 ban.
ALTHOUGH the Basel Ban did not explicitly take note of ship-breaking as a form of
transnational movement of hazardous waste, it is of special concern to India. Alang in
Gujarat, which has the world's largest ship-breaking yard, is a haven for quot;toxic shipsquot;.
According to BAN, the quot;virtually lawless operationsquot; at Alang result in the death of, on
an average, one worker a day and pose serious health hazards for the 40,000 persons
employed there.
Some Basel Hazardous Wastes found on Ships include: Waste mineral oils, Oil sludge,
Hydraulic systems, heavy fuel oil, lube oil, Waste oils/water mixtures and emulsions
Ballast water, Waste containing PCBs, PCTs, PCNs, PBBs, Light fitting capacitors, in
paints, etc, Waste from production, formulation and use of inks, paints, lacquers, varnish
etc, All over as coatings Wastes containing mercury or mercury compounds, Fluorescent
light fittings, Lead Acid Batteries, Batteries, Waste Asbestos, Heat insulation, fire
retardant in structural material.
So, it is noteworthy that all ships, which come for dismantling, have radioactive material.
No one knows as to how many workers till date have suffered radioactive exposure
besides asbestos and PCBs due to ship breaking. It further vindicates what Dr Vidyut
Joshi, former Vice-Chancellor, Bhavnagar University who has co-authored a
UNESCO report for quot;Industrial safety concerns in the ship breaking
industry/Alang-Indiaquot; has said. He said, quot;Ship-breaking requires industrial
management, which GMB does not have. Ship-breaking is not a port activity and
Maritime Board officials are trained not meant for such industrial activity ship-
breaking. If GMB should have a role it must be restructured for the same and there
should be a separate Alang Authority.quot;
Recent “BLUE LADY” issue and the SC guidelines that followed:
For over a year, a ship “Blue Lady” containing toxic wastes has idled in a Gujarat port
while legal wrangling continued over responsibility for its break up and final disposal .
In September 2007, the Indian Supreme court heard overwhelming evidence, not only
that there was asbestos on the vessel, but also radioactive materials.
Finally, it seems the ship (ironically, it's called quot;Blue Ladyquot;) will now have to be towed
back to Germany, the port of departure.
The Supreme Court guidelines that followed:
1. The SC has empowered the government to send back any contaminated ship that
comes to India for breaking at Alang or any other ship-breaking yard in the country. The
court has ordered that the government formulate a comprehensive code and immediately
7. incorporate these recommendations until the laws are modified and aligned with the court
orders
2. The continuation and expansion of Alang and other ship-breaking yards across the
country shall be permitted, subject to the compliance to these directions by the ship-
breakers. The order leaves little space for the authorities to allow ship-breaking even if
ship owners do not provide details of contaminants on board.
3. The court has reiterated that India should participate in relevant international
conventions with the clear mandate for decontamination of ships for hazardous
substances such as asbestos, waste oil, and PCBS prior to export to India for breaking.
4. Until further orders, the court has asked the state pollution control boards, customs
department, the National Institute of Occupational Health and Atomic Energy Regulatory
Board to oversee the entire arrangement at the shipyards.
India has already ratified Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary
Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal and its companion treaties like
Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous
Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and Stockholm Convention on POPs.
The way ahead
The OECD waste hierarchy shows the way out, by giving the highest priorities to
reusing waste and, even better, cutting the amount that is produced in the first place.
Clean technologies minimize waste and make better use of raw materials. It may not
always be possible to eliminate waste entirely – some processes will inevitably result in
hazardous by-products – but drastically reducing it makes good economic and
environmental sense. Waste can become a resource. But it still seems to be a minority
view. Most companies are just looking for quick fixes, like saving and recycling paper.
Very few are asking: Why are we making this in the first place? How can we change the
composition of our product so that what is left behind can be useful to someone else? But
some companies have advanced well down the waste-resource road. There are big
agendas opening up for big corporations about corporate citizenship and sustainable
development. Some transnational corporations are thinking about a more resource-
efficient society – and they will not be imposing burdens on developing countries.
If this view takes hold waste will be seen for what it really is – a waste.
This can be done through Cleaner Production & Eco-efficiency. While companies have
a responsibility and duty to eliminate any hazardous substances completely from their
products and processes, they should also be aiming to reduce all waste. And when they
succeed, it will be a win-win situation for the environment, and for them.
It can be done. Companies are doing it through applying cleaner production or eco-
efficiency, two closely interlocked concepts that hold the key for business to improve our
environment and health, and boost corporate profitability at the same time.
8. Example: In April 1999, Dow completed a two-year collaboration
with United States environmentalists to reduce toxic emissions at its Midland,
Michigan site – the company‟s original chemical facility. Dow and the Natural Resources
Defense Council recruited five local environmentalists to take part in this Michigan
Source Reduction Initiative (MSRI). The initiative set aggressive goals: 35 per cent cuts
in both the generation of a specific list of wastes and in emissions to air and water.
The result: By April 1999, the site cut waste generation by 37 per cent, and reduced
emissions by 43 per cent – beating the original targets. There was a financial pay-back
too. Dow invested $3.1 million to make the changes, but they saved the company nearly
$5.4 million every year. Thus, competitive gains were based on environmental
improvements.
Environmentally Sound Management Principles:
Environmentally sound management should be guaranteed in any place at any time and
should be accessible to everyone. The key element is practicability, in particular in local
conditions and different circumstances, taking into account the macro-economics of
waste management, including options for recycling or recovery operations.
Environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes will require knowledge of:
The purpose, scope and definition of the operation and descriptions of
technologies and of the efficiency of the operation.
Environmental hazards.
The suitability of the waste for the operation.
Opportunities for waste avoidance.
Opportunities for recovery.
Criteria for operating technology soundly, and related safety aspects. These
should include, as appropriate for information purposes, examples of national and
international standards and regulations.
Principles for assessing the predicted environmental impacts of establishing and
operating the facility, site selection parameters, technology options, and
construction/design and management plans.
Guidance on monitoring and, when needed, appropriate corrective action.
Guidance on closure plans and aftercare.
The economic aspects of the disposal or recovery operation
9. There is considerable controversy and concern over the extent to which each country
could or should seek to provide suitable, environmentally sound options for all its waste.
There is fairly broad acceptance that developed countries should generally be expected to
be self-sufficient in waste disposal, insofar as this is environmentally sound and
economically efficient. But the position is different for other countries, particularly
developing ones. There the question is one of judging the extent to which it is possible or
necessary to provide a full range of facilities, when the need for at least the more
specialized options may be very limited and out of all proportion to the cost and resource
implications of providing them.
Need for innovation: Innovative financial and economic mechanisms should be
conceptualized, developed and used. Locally affordable, socially acceptable and
environmentally sound methods, techniques and technologies should be encouraged and
promoted, making use of the regional and sub-regional centers established in the
framework of the Basel Convention.
Environmentally sound management requires collective commitments. This fosters the
hope that, by combining efforts and sharing the burden, the international community can
come to grips with the immense challenge posed by the generation of hazardous wastes.
Some additional measures to further effectiveness of Basel Convention:
1. The Convention cooperates with Interpol over illegal traffic. This trade is increasing,
as it can yield big profits – at the cost of irreparably damaging the environment – and it
tends to flow from developed to developing countries. But nobody knows exactly how
big the problem is; though many cases of illegal traffic have been discovered, they are
only a small proportion of those incidents that actually occur.
There must be cooperation between countries to build up the capacity to tackle illegal
traffic. United Nations regional commissions, and other regional bodies or conventions
and protocols, should take an effective part in monitoring and preventing this. It is also
important that customs officers and port authorities are adequately trained and able to
take full control of the hazardous wastes being moved across frontiers.
2. Parties are to cooperate in helping developing countries minimize the generation of
hazardous wastes and their movement across frontiers. Measures can include ensuring
that adequate disposal facilities are available, that managers are able to prevent pollution,
and that, if pollution occurs, the consequences for human health and the environment can
be kept to a minimum.