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, as well as two types of wastes defined as “other wastes” – household waste and incinerator ash. The provisions of the Convention center around the following principal aims: • the reduction of hazardous waste generation and the promotion of environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes, wherever the place of disposal; • the restriction of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes except where it is perceived to be in accordance with the principles of environmentally sound management; • a regulatory system applying to cases where transboundary movements are permissible. The Convention also provides for the establishment of regional or sub-regional centers for training and technology transfers regarding the management of hazardous wastes and other wastes and the minimization of their generation to cater to the specific needs of different regions and subregions. Centers have been established to carry out training and capacity building activities in the regions.
The Bamako Convention is a treaty of African nations prohibiting the import into Africa of any hazardous (including radioactive) waste. The Bamako convention is a response to Article 11 of the Basel convention which encourages parties to enter into bilateral, multilateral and regional agreements on Hazardous Waste to help achieve the objectives of the convention. The impetus for the Bamako convention arose also from: – The failure of the Basel Convention to prohibit trade of hazardous waste to less developed countries (LDCs); – The realization that many developed nations were exporting toxic wastes to Africa . SPECIFICITY The Bamako convention uses a format and language similar to that of the Basel convention, but: – Is much stronger in prohibiting all imports of hazardous waste. – It does not make exceptions on certain hazardous wastes (like those for radioactive materials) made by the Basel convention. PURPOSE OF THE CONVENTION – Prohibit the import of all hazardous and radioactive wastes into the African continent for any reason; – Minimize and control transboundary movements of hazardous wastes within the African continent. – Prohibit all ocean and inland water dumping or incineration of hazardous wastes. – Ensure that disposal of wastes is conducted in an “environmentally sound manner “. – Promote cleaner production over the pursuit of a permissible emissions approach based on assimilative capacity assumptions – Establish the precautionary principle.
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment. Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) can lead to serious health effects including certain cancers, birth defects, dysfunctional immune and reproductive systems, greater susceptibility to disease and damages to the central and peripheral nervous systems. Main Objectives: • Prohibit and/or eliminate the production and use, as well as the import and export, of the intentionally produced POPs that are listed in Annex A to the Convention (Article 3) • Restrict the production and use, as well as the import and export, of the intentionally produced POPs that are listed in Annex B to the Convention (Article 3) • Reduce or eliminate releases from unintentionally produced POPs that are listed in Annex C to the Convention (Article ) • Ensure that stockpiles and wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with POPs are managed safely and in an environmentally sound manner (Article 6)
