The international “Triple COPs” meeting took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from April 29 to May 10, 2019. This conference centered on three important conventions: the Basel Convention (COP-14), Rotterdam Convention (COP-9), and Stockholm Convention (COP-9). The overall theme of these “Triple COPs” was ‘Clean Planet, Healthy People: Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste.’ The dialogue revolved around issues related to microplastics, waste containing nanomaterials, as well as legal, compliance, and governance matters.
The Discussion Topics of the BRS “Triple COPs”
The core discussion points of the “Triple COPs” meeting included the continued development of technical guidelines on electronic waste and persistent organic pollutants wastes. Furthermore, there was deliberation on the incineration on land and specially engineered landfills, as well as additions to the Convention’s Toolkit on Environmentally Sound Management of Wastes.
Topics also included various aspects related to the implementation of each Convention, the strategic framework and entry into force of the Ban Amendment, and the Cartagena Declaration on the Prevention, Minimization, and Recovery of Hazardous Wastes and Other Wastes.
The Basel Convention
Enforced since 1992, the Basel Convention aims to reduce the transboundary movements of hazardous waste from developed countries to less-developed countries (LDCs). The primary objective is to ensure safe disposal of these materials as close as possible to their source of generation.
The Rotterdam Convention
Adopted on September 10, 1998, by a Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the Rotterdam Convention came into effect on February 24, 2004. It applies to pesticides and industrial chemicals that have been banned or severely restricted for health or environmental reasons. The Convention sets legally binding obligations for the implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.
Some Facts About the Rotterdam Convention
| Date of Adoption | Date of Enforcement | Focus | Obligation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th September 1998 | 24th February 2004 | Pesticides and Industrial Chemicals | Implementation of the PIC Procedure |
The Stockholm Convention
The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty intended to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs are dangerous chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, accumulating in the fatty tissue of living organisms, and posing serious risks to humans and wildlife.
The Stockholm Convention aims to support the transition to safer alternatives, target additional POPs for action, clean up old stockpiles and equipment containing POPs, and promote cooperation towards a POPs-free future. The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) serves as the designated interim financial mechanism for the Stockholm Convention.
