international convention and treaties for sustainable development xaam.in

8/16/2019 International Convention and Treaties for Sustainable Development Xaam.in

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International Convention and Treaties for

Sustainable Development

1. Vienna Convention 1.1 MONTREAL PROTOCOL 2. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 3. Rotterdam Convention 4. Basel Convention 5. Convention on Biological Diversity 5.1 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety:5.2 Nagoya Protocol5.2.1 Aichi Target6. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

7. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)7.1 KYOTO PROTOCOL7.1.1 KYOTO MECHANISM7.1.2 Doha Outcome7.1.3 Warsaw Outcome7.1.4. Paris Agreement 8. Bonn Convention:9. Barcelona Convention 10. Ramsar Convention 11. CITES 12. Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping ofWastes and Other Matter 13. Minamata Convention 14. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships(Marpol)15. Benzene Convention 16. International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW)


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1. Vienna Convention:

Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.

Often called a framework convention, because it served as a framework for

efforts to protect the globe’s ozone layer.

The Vienna Convention was adopted in 1985 and entered into force on 22September, 1988.

The objectives of the Convention were for Parties to promote cooperation bymeans of systematic observations, research and information exchange onthe e ffects of human activities on the ozone layer and to adopt legislative oradministrative measures against activities likely to have adverse effects onthe ozone layer.

The Vienna Convention did not require countries to take concrete actions to

control ozone depleting substances. Instead, in accordance with theprovisions of the Convention, the countries of the world agreed the MontrealProtocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer under the Conventionto advance that goal.

The Parties to the Vienna Convention meet once every three years, back toback with the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, in order to take decisionsdesigned to administer the Convention.

In 2009, the Vienna Convention became the first Convention of any kind toachieve universal ratification.

1.1 MONTREAL PROTOCOL:

This protocol was designed to reduce the production and consumption ofozone depleting substances in order to reduce their abundance in theatmosphere, and thereby protect the earth’s f ragile ozone Layer.

The original Montreal Protocol was agreed on 16 September 1987 andentered into force on 1 January 1989. Followed by a first meeting inHelsinki, May 1989.

It legally enforces the phase-out of the production and use of ozone depletingsubstances - chemicals often used in refrigeration, air-conditioning, foam

manufacturing, aerosol production, and fire extinguishing.

Protocol stipulates that the production and consumption of compounds thatdeplete ozone in the stratosphere--chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons,carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform--are to be phased out by 2000(2005 for methyl chloroform).

Source: http://www.theozonehole.com/

A Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol:• It was established in 1991 to assist developing countries meet their

Montreal Protocol commitments.• Multilateral Fund was established by a decision of the Second Meeting of


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the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (London, June 1990) and began itsoperation in 1991.• The main objective of the Fund is to assist developing country parties tothe Montreal Protocol whose annual level of consumption of the ozonedepleting substances (ODS) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons is less

than 0.3 kilograms per capita to comply with the control measures of theProtocol.

Since 2010, the agenda of the Protocol has focused on the phase-out ofhydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), an ozone-depleting substance mainlyused in cooling and refrigeration applications, and in the manufacture offoam products.

2. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants:

A global treaty to protect human health and the environment from persistentorganic pollutants (POPs).

The Convention has a range of control measures to reduce and, wherefeasible, eliminate the re lease of POPs, including emissions ofunintentionally produced POPs such as dioxins. The Convention also aims toensure the sound management of stockpiles and wastes that contain POPs.

POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods,become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue ofliving organisms and are toxic to humans and wildlife.

POPs circulate globally and can cause damage wherever they travel. Inimplementing the Convention, Governments will take measures to eliminate

or reduce the release of POPs into the environment.

Convention came into force on 17 May 2004.

12 POPs listed in annexes to the Convention in 2004 are:AldrinChlordaneDieldrinEndrinHeptachlorHexachlorobenzene (HCB)

Mirex ToxaphenePolychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)DioxinsFurans

In 2010, nine additional POPs were added to the Convention. They are:

ChlordeconeLindaneHexabromobiphenyl

PentachlorobenzeneAlpha hexachlorocyclohexane


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Beta hexachlorocyclohexanePerfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride(PFOS) Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenylether ('commercialpentabromodiphenyl ether')

Hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether ('commercialoctabromdiphenyl ether)

Convention has five essential aims:• Eliminate dangerous POPs, starting with the 12 worst• Support the transition to safer alternatives• Target additional POPs for action• Cleanup old stockpiles and equipment containing POPs• Work together for a POPs-free future

3. Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure forCertain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade:

It is an international treaty designed to facilitate informed decision-makingby countries with regard to trade in hazardous chemicals.

It establishes a list of covered chemicals and requires parties seeking toexport a chemical on that list to first establish that the intended importingcountry has consented to the import.

It also requires that a party seeking to export a chemical that is not listedunder the Convention, but is subject to a ban or severe restriction in its ownterritory, must provide notice to the importing country of the proposedexport.

Convention entered into force on February 24, 2004.

Rotterdam Convention applies to industrial chemicals and pesticides thatmeet the criteria for listing under the Convention, generally because theyhave been banned or severely restricted in party countries or are severelyhazardous pesticide formulations.

Major Objective of Convention are :• Promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in theinternational trade of certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human

health and the environment from potential harm.• Contribute to the environmentally sound use of those hazardouschemicals, by facilitating information exchange about their characteristics,by providing for a national decision-making process on their import andexport and by disseminating these decisions to Parties.

4. Basel Convention on the Control of Trans boundary Movements of

Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal:

The Basel Convention on the Control of Trans boundary Movements ofHazardous Wastes and their Disposal was adopted on 22 March 1989 by theConference of Plenipotentiaries in Basel, Switzerland, in response to a public

outcry following the discovery, in the 1980s, in Africa and other parts of thedeveloping world of deposits of toxic wastes imported from abroad.


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The basic purposes of the Convention are to ensure that states have the fullability to protect their own environment and to enable them to not permitactions which might have adverse e ffects on the environment such as atrans boundary movement of hazardous waste.

Objective of the Basel Convention is to protect human health and theenvironment against the adverse effects of hazardous wastes. Its scope ofapplication covers a wide range of wastes defined as “hazardous wastes”

based on their origin and/or composition and their characteristics, as wellas two t ypes of wastes defined as “other wastes” - household waste andincinerator ash.

Principal aims of Convention are:• Reduction of hazardous waste generation and the promotion ofenvironmentally sound management of hazardous wastes, wherever theplace of disposal;• Restriction of trans boundary movements of hazardous wastes exceptwhere it is perceived to be in accordance with the principles ofenvironmentally sound management; and• Regulatory system applying to cases where trans boundary movements arepermissible.

The Convention requires a prior informed consent that must be followedbefore any export or import is allowed to or from another party. TheExporting State is obliged to get the written approval of the Importing statefor such a movement to be legal under the Basel Convention. In this context,each party has the right to ban any import or export of hazardous or otherwastes.

BAN Amendment to the Convention was adopted at the Third Conference ofthe Parties in 1995 and incorporated in the text of the Convention. Thisamendment bans any export of hazardous wastes from Basel ConventionParties that are members of the EU, OECD, and Liechtenstein to all otherParties to the Convention.

5. Convention on Biological Diversity:

This Convention was inspired by the world community's growingcommitment to sustainable development. It represents a dramatic stepforward in the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of itscomponents, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from theuse of genetic resources.

The Convention was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the UnitedNations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio "EarthSummit"). It remained open for signature until 4 June 1993, by which timeit had received 168 signatures. The Convention entered into force on 29December 1993, which was 90 days after the 30th ratification. The firstsession of the Conference of the Parties was scheduled for 28 November – 9December 1994 in the Bahamas.

The CBD was negotiated under the guidance of the United Nations.


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Unlike other international agreements that set compulsory targets andobligations, the CBD takes a flexible approach to implementation. Itidentifies general goals and policies, and countries are free to determine howthey want to implement them.

COP which stands for "Conference of the Parties" is the Convention'sultimate authority and assembles representatives of all countries havingsigned the Convention (the 'Parties') as well as observers such as non-Partycountries, UN agencies, international and non-governmental organisations.

CBD has near universal membership 193 countries

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has 3 main objectives:• the conservation of biological diversity.• The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity.• The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilizationof genetic resources.

The Convention also recognizes - for the first time - that the conservation ofbiological diversity is "a common concern of humankind" and an integral part of thedevelopment process.

5.1Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety:

Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity is aninternational treaty governing the movements of living modified organisms(LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology from one country to another.

It was adopted on 29 January 2000 as a supplementary agreement to the

Convention on Biological Diversity and entered into force on 11 September2003.

Protocol named after the Colombian city where the final round of talks waslaunched, sets

Living Modified Organism (LMO) is defined in the Cartagena Protocol onBiosafety as any living organism that possesses a novel combination ofgenetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology. Ineveryday usage LMOs are usually considered to be the same as GMOs(Genetically Modified organisms), but definitions and interpretations of the

term GMO vary widely. Objective of the Protocol is to contribute to ensuring an adequate level of

protection in the field of the safe transfer, handling and use of LMOsresulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on theconservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also intoaccount risks to human health, and specifically focusing on trans boundarymovements.

Protocol promotes biosafety by establishing rules and procedures for the safetransfer, handling, and use of LMOs, with specific focus on trans boundarymovements of LMOs.


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The governing body of the Protocol is the Conference of the Parties to theConvention serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (COP-MOP).

The main function of this body is to review the implementation of theProtocol and make decisions necessary to promote its effective operation.

Protocol does not cover:• Products derived from LMOs (e .g. paper from GM trees). • LMOs, which are pharmaceuticals for humans that are addressed by otherrelevant international agreements or organizations.

Protocol assists developing countries in building their capacity for managingmodern biotechnology:• It creates an advanced informed agreement (AIA) procedure that requiresexporters to seek consent from importing countries before the first shipmentof LMOs meant to be introduced into the environment (e.g. seeds forplanting, fish for release, and microorganisms for bioremediation)• It establishes an internet-based “Biosafety Clearing-House” to helpcountries exchange scientific, technical, environmental and legal informationabout LMOs.• It requires bulk shipments of LMO commodities, such as corn or soybeansthat are intended to be used as food, feed or for processing, to beaccompanied by documentation stating that such shipments “may contain”

LMOs and are “not intended for intentional introduction into theenvironment”. • The Protocol includes a clause that makes clear the Parties’ intent that theagreement does not alter the rights and obligations of governments underthe World Trade Organization (WTO) or other existing international

agreements.5.2Nagoya Protocol:

The objective of this Protocol is the fair and equitable sharing of the benefitsarising from the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriateaccess to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevanttechnologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and totechnologies, and by appropriate funding, thereby contributing to theconservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of itscomponents.

Protocol was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan. Protocol significantly advances the Convention’s third objective by providing

a strong basis for greater legal certainty and transparency for both providersand users of genetic resources.

The Nagoya Protocol applies to genetic resources that are covered by theCBD, and to the benefits arising from their utilization.

The Nagoya Protocol also covers traditional knowledge (TK) associated withgenetic resources that are covered by the CBD and the benefits arising fromits utilization.


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Protocol covers genetic resources within national jurisdiction - with somenotable exceptions:• The Protocol does not apply to genetic resources covered by specialisedaccess and benefit-sharing agreements such as the International Treaty onPlant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, or the framework for

pandemic preparedness of the World Health Organisation.• The Protocol does not apply to human genetic material, or to resourcesthat were acquired before the Protocol comes into effect.

5.2.1AICHI TARGET:

In the COP-10 meeting of Nagoya Protocol, the parties agreed that previousbiodiversity protection targets are not achieved, so they need to do come upwith new plans and targets.

It includes 20 headline targets, organized under five strategic goals thataddress the underlying causes of biodiversity loss, reduce the pressures on

biodiversity, safeguard biodiversity at all levels, enhance the benefitsprovided by biodiversity, and provide for capacity-building:

A) Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by

mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society:

1) Make people are aware of the values of biodiversityintegrating biodiversity values into national and local development and povertyreduction strategiesElimination of harmful subsidiesimplementing plans for sustainable production and consumption

B) Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promotesustainable use

Halting loss of all natural habitats, including forests Sustainable harvest of all fishand invertebrate stocks and aquatic plants Sustainable management of agriculture,aquaculture and forestry ensuring conservation of biodiversity. Reducing PollutionIdentification and prioritization of invasive alien species and pathways minimisethe choral re flow destruction, ocean acidification

C) Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding

ecosystems, species and genetic diversity

11) Conserving terrestrial and inland water, coastal – marine areasPrevention of extinction of known threatened speciesmaintaining genetic diversity of agro-plants, domesticate animals and minimizinggenetic erosion

D) Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and

ecosystem services

14) Restoration of ecosystems that provide essential services, including servicesrelated to water, and contribute to health, livelihoods and well -beingEnhancement of ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon

stocks, through conservation and restoration, including restoration of at least 15


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per cent of degraded ecosystems.Operationalize the Nagoya protocol on genetic resources, via national legislations

E) Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning,knowledge management and capacity building

17)Implementing an effective, participatory and updated national biodiversitystrategy and action planIntegrating the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous andlocal communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity,and their customary use of biological resourcesScientific and technological knowledge sharing applicationmobilization of financial resources

6United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification:

It is a Convention to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of

drought through national action programs that incorporate long-termstrategies supported by international cooperation and partnershiparrangements.

Established in 1994, UNCCD is the sole legally binding internationalagreement linking environment and development to sustainable landmanagement.

Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humidareas, known as the dry lands, where some of the most vulnerableecosystems and peoples can be found

Desertification as defined in this Convention: is not the natural expansionof existing deserts but the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and drysub-humid areas. It is a gradual process of soil productivity loss and thethinning out of the vegetative cover because of human activities and climaticvariations such as prolonged droughts and floods. What is alarming is thatthough the land's topsoil, if mistreated, can be blown and washed away in afew seasons, it takes centuries to build up. Among human causal factors areover cultivation, overgrazing, deforestation, and poor irrigation practices.Such overexploitation is generally caused by economic and social pressure,ignorance, war, and drought.

7United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): It is an international environmental treaty that was produced at the United

Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) (informallyknown as the Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro, June, 1992.

Convention sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tacklethe challenge posed by climate change. It recognizes that the climate systemis a shared resource whose stability can be affected by industrial and otheremissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Under the Convention, governments:

• Gather and share information on greenhouse gas emissions, nationalpolicies and best practices


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• Launch national strategies for addressing greenhouse gas emissions andadapting to expected impacts, including the provision of financial andtechnological support to developing countries• cooperate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change.

The treaty as originally framed set no mandatory limits on greenhouse gasemissions for individual nations and contained no enforcement provisions; itis therefore considered legally non-binding. Rather, the treaty includedprovisions for updates (called “protocols”) that would set mandatoryemission limits. The principal update is the Kyoto Protocol, which hasbecome much better known than the UNFCCC itse lf.

A key element of the UNFCCC is that parties should act to protect theclimate system “on the basis of equality and in accordance with theircommon but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.”

The principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibility’ includes two

fundamental elements.• The first is the common responsibility of Parties to protect theenvironment, or parts of it, at the national, regional and global levels.• The second is the need to take into account the different circumstances,particularly each Party’s contribution to the problem and its ability toprevent, reduce and control the threat.

UNFCCC entered into force on 21 March 1994. Today, it has near-universalmembership. The 195 countries that have ratified the Convention are calledParties to the Convention.

UNFCCC is a “Rio Convention”, one of three adopted at the “Rio Earth

Summit” in 1992. Its sister Rio Conventions are the UN Convention on

Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD)

7.1KYOTO PROTOCOL:

It is an international agreement linked to the United Nations FrameworkConvention on Climate Change, which commits its Parties by settinginternationally binding emission reduction targets.

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and

entered into force on 16 February 2005 Recognizing that developed countries are principally responsible for the

current high levels of Green House Gas emissions in the atmosphere as aresult of more than 150 years of industrial activity, the Protocol places aheavier burden on developed nations under the principle of "common butdifferentiated responsibilities."

Targets for the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol cover emissionsof the six main greenhouse gases, namely:• Carbon dioxide (CO2)• Methane(CH4)

• Nitrous oxide (N2O)• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)


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• Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)• Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

Convention divides countries into three main groups according to differingcommitments:

Annex I Parties include the industrialized countries that were members of theOECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) in 1992, pluscountries with economies in transition (the EIT Parties), including the RussianFederation, the Baltic States, and several Central and Eastern European States.

Annex II Parties consist of the OECD members of Annex I, but not the EIT Parties. They are required to provide financial resources to enable developing countries toundertake emissions reduction activities under the Convention and to help themadapt to adverse effects of climate change. In addition, they have to "take allpracticable steps" to promote the development and transfer of environmentallyfriendly technologies to EIT Parties and developing countries. Funding provided byAnnex II Parties is channelled mostly through the Convention’s financialmechanism.

Non-Annex I Parties are mostly developing countries. Certain groups of developingcountries are recognized by the Convention as being especially vulnerable to theadverse impacts of climate change, including countries with low-lying coastal areasand those prone to desertification and drought. Others (such as countries that relyheavily on income from fossil fuel production and commerce) feel more vulnerableto the potential economic impacts of climate change response measures. TheConvention emphasizes activities that promise to answer the special needs and

concerns of these vulnerable countries, such as investment, insurance andtechnology transfer.

The 49 Parties classified as least developed countries (LDCs) by the United Nationsare given special consideration under the Convention on account of their limitedcapacity to respond to climate change and adapt to its adverse effects. Parties areurged to take full account of the special situation of LDCs when consideringfunding and technology-transfer activities.

7.1.1KYOTO MECHANISM: There are three mechanisms that serve to helpdeveloped countries achieve their Kyoto emission reduction targets by lowering the

costs of reduction. The so-called Kyoto mechanisms or flexible mechanisms enabledeveloped countries to meet part of their emission reduction commitments abroad.

The Kyoto mechanisms:

Stimulate sustainable development through technology transfer andinvestment.

Help countries with Kyoto commitments to meet their targets by reducingemissions or removing carbon from the atmosphere in other countries in acost-effective way.

Encourage the private sector and developing countries to contribute to

emission reduction efforts


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Eligibility requirements: To participate in the mechanisms, Annex I Parties mustmeet, among others, the following eligibility requirements:

They must have ratified the Kyoto Protocol.

They must have calculated their assigned amount, as referred to in Articles

3.7 and 3.8 and Annex B of the Protocol in terms of tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions.

They must have in place a national system for estimating emissions andremovals of greenhouse gases within their territory.

They must have in place a national registry to record and track the creationand movement of Emission Reduction Units, Certified Emission Reductions,Assigned amount units and Removal Units (RMU) s and must annuallyreport such information to the secretariat.

They must annually report information on emissions and removals to the

secretariat.

Mechanism:

1) Emission Trading (ET):

Emissions trading allow trade in emissions units between developedcountries.

Each country is assigned a certain amount of emissions units. The volume ofemissions units allocated to each country is such that a country uses up itsentire allocation if it precisely complies with its national emission reduction

target. If a country achieves a greater reduction than called for in the KyotoProtocol, it can sell excess emissions units in the form of licences to anothercountry that has not succeeded in reaching its reduction target. Thepurchasing country can credit these licences to its own emission reduction.

The licences are sold internationally to the highest bidder - in other words,the market determines the price.

2) Clean Development Mechanism (CDM):

CDM allows emission-reduction (or emission removal) projects in developingcountries to earn certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each equivalentto one tonne of CO2. These CERs can be traded and sold, and used byindustrialized countries to meet a part of their emission reduction targetsunder the Kyoto Protocol.

It is carried out in a similar way to joint implementation; the maindifference, however, is that CDM projects are jointly carried out by adeveloped country with a reduction commitment and a developing countrywithout a reduction commitment.

With CDM, a developed country carries out an emissions-saving climateprotection project in a developing country, and these saved units - certifiedemission reductions - can be credited to the developed country's account.

CDM serves to assist developing countries, through technology transfer, inestablishing a climate-friendly economy.


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Specific conditions of the CDM were laid down in the Marrakesh Accords.According to these, all CDM projects have to be reviewed and approved inadvance.

3) Joint implementation (JI):

In this Projects carried out jointly by two developed countries that have bothcommitted to an emission reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol fallwithin the scope of joint implementation.

If a developed country carries out or finances a climate protection project inanother developed country, it can credit the resulting emission reductions inthe form of emission reduction units to its reduction target.

The recipient country of course cannot credit these units. Jointimplementation projects can contribute to emission reductions first beingachieved where it is cheapest.

7.1.2Doha Climate Change Conference (2012):

The 18th session of the COP to the UNFCCC, that started on 26 Novemberand concluded on 8 December 2012 in Doha, Qatar has resulted in a set ofdecisions (clubbed together as 'Doha Climate Gateway') aimed at advancingthe implementation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol (KP).

Key issues for the Doha conference were:• Amending the KP to implement the second commitment period under theProtocol• successfully concluding the work of the Bali Action Plan (BAP) within

which there was urgent need for a clear path to climate finance• planning the work under the Durban Platform (DP) for enhanced action.

Key Doha Outcome:• It has been agreed that the Kyoto Protocol (KP), as the only existing andbinding agreement under which developed countries commit to cuttingemissions of GHGs, will enter a second commitment period that will run foreight years.• Governments have agreed to speedily work toward a climate changeagreement under Doha Protocol (DP) applicable to all countries from 2020,to be adopted by 2015. Further governments have decided to find ways to

scale up efforts before 2020 to meet the gap in global ambition for emissionsreduction.• Governments have launched a robust process to review the long-termtemperature goal. This will start in 2013 and conclude by 2015 and is areality check on the advance of the climate change threat and the possibleneed to mobilize further action.• The Work Programme on Long term Finance launched in 2011 has beenextended for another year to contribute to the ongoing efforts to scale upmobilization of climate finance. Developed countries have re iterated theircommitment to deliver on promises of mobilizing US$100 billion both foradaptation and mitigation by 2020.

• Decision also encourages developed countries to increase efforts forproviding finance between 2013 and 2015, and at least to the average


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annual level provided during the 2010-2012 fast-start finance period.• Finance pledges of about $ 6 billion for period up to 2015 announced byGermany, the UK, France, Denmark, Sweden and the EU Commission.• The selection of the Republic of Korea by the Board of the Green ClimateFund (GCF) to host the GCF has been endorsed.

• The unresolved issues of Technology-related Intellectual Property Rights(IPRs) and the Unilateral Measures under the Bali Action Plan (BAP) are nowpart of the planned or continuing work of various bodies of the Convention.Based on the decisions, the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) willinitiate exploration of issues relating to enabling environments and barriers,including IPRs in its future work-plan. The TEC has already identified IPRsas one of the key messages on which further work is necessary. Similarly, adecision has been taken for facilitating discussion on the issue of unilateralmeasures under the existing forum on implementation of responsemeasures.

7.1.3Warsaw Outcome:

The Warsaw Climate Change Conference held in November 2013

Key decisions adopted at this conference include decisions on furtheradvancing the Durban Platform, the Green Climate Fund and Long-TermFinance

Delegates to COP19 agreed that all nations should work to cut emissionsfrom burning coal, oil and gas as soon as possible, and ideally by the firstquarter of 2015.

Warsaw Framework for REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation andForest Degradation in Developing Countries): COP approved to provide aformal framework, safeguards, and funding in hopes of cutting deforestationin half by 2020 and halting it by 2030.

8Bonn Convention:

It is Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals(CMS)

Adopted in 1979 and entered in to force in 1983

This Convention aims to build and strengthen global conservation efforts for

migratory species in the air, on land, and in the seas

It is an international and intergovernmental treaty backed by the UnitedNations Environmental Programme.

The Convention divides species into two appendices,• Appendix I, lists species that are threatened with extinction and• Appendix II, species that need or would benefit greatly from internationalcooperative conservation e fforts.

migratory species as defined in Convention means the entire population orany geographically separate part of the population of any species or lower

taxon of wild animals a significant proportion of whose members cyclicallyand predictably cross one or more national jurisdictional boundaries


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9Barcelona Convention:

It is Convention for Protection against Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea

It is a regional convention to prevent and abate pollution from ships, aircraftand land based sources in the Mediterranean Sea.

Convention was Adopted in 1976and entered into force in 1978

In 1995 the Protocol was amended and recorded as the Protocol for thePrevention and Elimination of Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea byDumping from Ships and Aircraft or Incineration at Sea. The new Protocol isnot yet in force.

The Convention's main objectives are:• Assess and control marine pollution• Ensuring sustainable management of natural marine and coastalresources;

• Integrate the environment in social and economic development;• Protect the marine environment and coastal zones through prevention andreduction of pollution, and as far as possible, elimination of pollution,whether land or sea-based;• Protect the natural and cultural heritage;• Strengthen solidarity among Mediterranean coastal States;• Contribute to improvement of the quality of life.

10Ramsar Convention:

It is Convention on Wetlands of International Importance

Convention provides the framework for national action and internationalcooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and theirresources.

The Ramsar Convention is the only global environmental treaty that dealswith a particular ecosystem. The treaty was adopted in the Iranian city ofRamsar in 1971 and the Convention's member countries cover all geographicregions of the planet.

Ramsar is not affiliated with the United Nations system of MultilateralEnvironmental Agreements

Convention's mission is "the conservation and wise use of all wetlandsthrough local and national actions and international cooperation, as acontribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout theworld".

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was developed as a means to callinternational attention to the rate at which wetland habitats weredisappearing, in part due to a lack of understanding of their importantfunctions, values, goods and services. Governments that join the Conventionare expressing their willingness to make a commitment to helping to reversethat history of wetland loss and degradation


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Monteux Record under Ramsar List is a register of wetland sites on the Listof Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecologicalcharacter have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result oftechnological developments, pollution or other human interference. So, it ismaintained as part of the Ramsar List.

Ramsar Convention works closely with five other organisations known asInternational Organization Partners (IOPs). These are Birdlife International,the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the InternationalWater Management Institute (IWMI), Wetlands International and WWFInternational. These support the work of the Convention by providing experttechnical advice, helping implement field studies and providing financialsupport

Obligations under the convention:• To recommend sites for inclusion in the “List of Wetlands of InternationalImportance”.• To ensure wise use of wetlands.• To establish reserves and promote training in wetland research,management.

11. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna

and Flora (CITES):

It is an international agreement between governments aimed to ensure thatinternational trade in specimens of wild animals and plants do not threatentheir survival.

Convention entered into force in 1975

CITES establishes a system of trade controls that vary in theirrestrictiveness, depending upon the degree of jeopardy each speciesfaces. The trade controls imposed by CITES apply only to the species listedon three Appendices to the Treaty.• Appendix I of the Treaty receives the most protection; they cannot beimported or exported for primarily commercial purposes. To be traded forother purposes, such as zoological or scientific imports, a specimen of anyspecies listed in Appendix I must be accompanied by an export permit fromthe exporting country and an import permit from the importing country.• Species on Appendix II of CITES, which are the vast majority of all speciesprotected by the Treaty, can be traded for both commercial and non-commercial purposes. However, they must be accompanied by an exportpermit, which may be issued only upon the finding that the export of thespecimens concerned will not be detrimental to the survival of the species.

This requirement allows countries to control trade in those species listed onAppendix II.• Member countries may unilaterally list species on Appendix III that areprotected within the countries' borders. The purpose of Appendix III is toobtain international cooperation in the enforcement of national conservationlaws. Countries importing specimens of a species listed on Appendix III--

from the country responsible for including the species on the Appendix--


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must insist upon presentation of a permit showing that the specimens werelawfully acquired and exported from that country.

CITES is an international agreement to which States (countries) adhere voluntarily.States that have agreed to be bound by the Convention ('joined' CITES) are knownas Parties. Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties – in other words theyhave to implement the Convention – it does not take the place of national laws.Rather it provides a framework to be respected by each Party, which has to adoptits own domestic legislation to ensure that CITES is implemented at the nationallevel.

12. Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes

and Other Matter:

Convention was adopted on 29 December 1972 in London

Convention contributes to the international control and prevention of marine

pollution by prohibiting the dumping of certain hazardous materials. Inaddition, a special permit is required prior to dumping of a number of otheridentified materials and a general permit for other wastes or matter

Dumping has been defined as the deliberate disposal at sea of wastes orother matter from vessels, aircraft, platforms or other man-made structures,as well as the deliberate disposal of these vessels or platforms themselves.

In 1996, the "London Protocol" was agreed to further modernize theConvention and, eventually, replace it.

Protocol, which is meant to eventually replace the 1972 Convention,

represents a major change of approach to the question of how to regulate theuse of the sea as a depository for waste materials. Rather than stating whichmaterials may not be dumped, it prohibits all dumping, except for possiblyacceptable wastes on the so-called "reverse list", contained in an annex tothe Protocol.

London Protocol stresses the “precautionary approach”, which requires that

“appropriate preventative measures are taken when there is reason to believe

that wastes or other matter introduced into the marine environment arelikely to cause harm even when there is no conclusive evidence to prove acausal relation between inputs and their e ffects”.

It also states that "the polluter should, in principle, bear the cost ofpollution" and emphasizes that Contracting Parties should ensure that theProtocol should not simply result in pollution being transferred from onepart of the environment to another.

The objective of the London Convention and Protocol is to promote theeffective control of all sources of marine pollution. Contracting Parties shalltake effective measures to prevent pollution of the marine environmentcaused by dumping at sea.

13. Minamata Convention:

Major highlights of the Minamata Convention on Mercury include a ban onnew mercury mines, the phase-out of existing ones, control measures on air


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emissions, and the international regulation of the informal sector forartisanal and small-scale gold mining.

Use of mercury in coal-fired power plants, small and artisanal gold minesand cement production has to be reduced. Countries with small andartisanal gold mines will have to devise strategies to reduce the use ofmercury in gold production in three years

The use of mercury in products like batteries, CFLs, soaps, cosmetics andmedical appliances like thermometer will be phased out by 2020

Convention was adopted and opened for signature on 10 October 2013

Convention is named after the Japanese city of Minamata, whichexperienced a severe, decades-long incidence of mercury poisoning afterindustrial wastewater from a chemical factory was discharged into MinamataBay.

Preamble of the treaty stipulates parties to the convention recognise “thesubstantial lessons of Minamata Disease, in particular the serious healthand environmental effects resulting from mercury pollution, and the need toensure proper management of mercury and the prevention of such events inthe future.”

Specific goals include:• A phase-out date of 2020 for products made from mercury• The preparation and implementation of national plans to control andreduce mercury emissions and releases• The end to all mercury mining

• The prohibition of mercury trade• Environmentally-safe management of mercury waste• Information-sharing, capacity-building projects, technical assistance fordeveloping country

14. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

(Marpol):

International convention covering prevention of pollution of the marineenvironment by ships from operational or accidental causes.

MARPOL Convention was adopted on 2 November 1973 at International

Maritime Organisation. The Protocol of 1978 was adopted in response to aspate of tanker accidents in 1976-1977. As the 1973 MARPOL Conventionhad not yet entered into force, the 1978 MARPOL Protocol absorbed theparent Convention.

All ships flagged under countries that are signatories to MARPOL are subjectto its requirements, regardless of where they sail and member nations areresponsible for vessels registered under their respective nationalities.

The convention includes regulations aimed at preventing and minimisingpollution at sea from ships, and this includes both accidental pollution and

pollution from routine operations. At current date MARPOL 73/78 consist of6 technical annexes:


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Regulations for the prevention of pollution by oil.Regulations for the control of pollution by noxious liquid substances in bulk.Prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packagedform.Prevention of pollution by sewage from ships.

Prevention of pollution by garbage from ships

Prevention of air pollution from ships.

15. Benzene Convention:

Convention was created by the International Labour Organization.

Its objective is to protect workers who are exposed during the course of theirwork to C6H6, also known as Benzene, a recognized carcinogen.

It was adopted in 1971 and entered into force in 1973.

16. International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW): Convention provides for the "proper conservation of whale stocks and thus

make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry."

It aims to promote the recovery of depleted whale populations by addressingissues such as ship strikes, entanglement events, environmental concernsand establishing protocols for whale watching.

The Convention was signed in 1946 and entered into force in 1948.

international convention and treaties for sustainable development xaam.in

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