International conventions on environmental protection.

QN. 1

INTRODUCTION

The history of international instruments concerning environment can be traced back during 1800’s but it became serious during 20^th Century due to the rapid environmental pollution and climate change. Environmental conventions and treaties are the international binding agreements between states which intends to protect environment from hazardous activities and destruction. There are more than 700 conventions concerning environment as we speak. These conventions have played a great role in protection of environment and establishing a legal framework through which environment is monitored globally, the treaties set standards on the use of environment, prohibits several activities harmful to the land and provides for sanctions in case of breach of Articles of agreed conventions by member states.[1]

The following are international conventions which have played a great role in improving and protecting the global environment;

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal[2], The convention is also referred as The Basel Convention which was opened for signature on 21 March 1989, and entered into force on 5 May 1992. The convention was introduced to reduce the movement of hazardous waste between states and to specifically control the transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries. As we speak, more than, 120 states are signatories of this convention, the convention went through amendment in 2019 to extend its scope of preventing movements of hazardous wastes to include plastic wastes as regulated material under the convention.

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer[3], including the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Montreal, 1987. This was a multilateral agreement signed in 1985 to control or reduce production of chlorofluorocarbons, a chemical which contributes much to the destruction of Ozone layer. The impacts of a depleted ozone layer include global warming due to increasing temperature on earths surface which may affect plants, micro and macro-organism. The threat to skin cancer due to direct sun rays was also a pushing factor toward the introduction of Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. The convention entered into force during 1988 and it was ratified by 33 Latin American countries and the Caribbean.

Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter[4]. This convention came to curb the problem of sea pollution by dumping wastes in the sea or other water bodies. The target of this convention was the maritime activities which were a threat to the environment particularly sea. The convention prohibits dumping of waste in the sea by vessels, aircrafts and platforms, it does not cover dumping of wastes in the sea from land-based sources such as wastes pipes, the convention entered into force during 1975, as of September 2016 the convention was singed by 89 member states.

Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)[5]. This treaty aimed to protect endangered plants and animals from depletion. The treaty aimed to ensure international trade on specimens of animals and plants does not threaten the wildlife animals and plants. The convention protects more than 35,000 specifies from danger of depletion. The convention was signed in 1973 and came to force in 1975.

CONCLUSION

The environmental offences are now serious crimes which may led to criminal charges to offenders (states or organizations) before International Criminal Court. In 2016, ICC introduced a frame work on charges concerning environmental offences. Based on 18-page policy paper setting out guidelines for the selection and prioritization of cases for investigation and prosecution, the office of the prosecutor declared that, the major offences which will be likely to be tried before the court include the destruction of the environment, the illegal exploitation of natural resources, or the illegal dispossession of land.

REFERENCE

ADA, “International Environmental Law: History and milestones”, https://aida-americas.org/en/blog/international-environmental-law-history-and-milestones.

The Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, Basel, 1989.

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, Vienna, 1985.

The Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention), London, 1972.

The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), Washington, DC, 1973.