Basel Convention
Overview
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal is an international treaty designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries. It is named after Basel, Switzerland, where the convention was opened for signature on 22 March 1989.
History
The Basel Convention was enacted in response to numerous publicized incidents in the 1980s involving the illegal dumping of hazardous waste in developing countries. The treaty was negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and was opened for signature on 22 March 1989. It entered into force on 5 May 1992.
Objectives
The overarching objective of the Basel Convention is to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects of hazardous wastes. Its scope of application covers a wide range of wastes defined as “hazardous wastes” based on their origin and/or composition and their characteristics.
Provisions
The Basel Convention imposes obligations on parties to ensure that hazardous wastes and other wastes are managed and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. This includes the obligation to minimize the quantities that are moved across borders, to treat and dispose of wastes as close as possible to their place of generation and to minimize the generation of wastes.
Implementation
The implementation of the Basel Convention is facilitated through a number of bodies and processes, including the Conference of the Parties, the Open-ended Working Group, the Secretariat, the Implementation and Compliance Committee, and the regional and coordinating centres.
Amendments
The Basel Convention has been amended several times since its inception. The most significant of these amendments is the Ban Amendment, which prohibits all export of hazardous wastes, including electronic wastes and obsolete ships from 33 developed to 91 developing countries.
Impact
The Basel Convention has had a significant impact on the global management of hazardous wastes. It has led to reductions in the amount of hazardous waste being shipped between countries, particularly from developed to developing nations.
Criticisms
Despite its successes, the Basel Convention has also faced a number of criticisms. These include the lack of a clear definition of hazardous waste, the failure to effectively enforce the provisions of the convention, and the continued export of hazardous waste from developed to developing countries.