The Contribution of Space Technologies to Arctic Policy Priorities

B.2.8 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal Facts in Brief Jurisdiction: 178 Parties. Of the Arctic States, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Russian Federation, and Iceland have ratified the Convention, but the US, although a signatory, has not ratified it yet.

Responsible Organizations: Parties are required to designate or establish one or more competent authorities to facilitate the implementation of the Convention. This is the governmental authority designated to be responsible for receiving notifications of transboundary movements and any related information and for responding to such notifications. To facilitate the implementation of the Convention Parties have to appoint one focal point which is responsible for receiving and submitting information to other Parties. Status: The text of the convention was adopted 22 March 1989 and entered into force on 22 May 1992. Type: A legally-binding international convention, open to ratification. Coverage: Globally, “Transboundary movement” meaning, any movement from an area under the national jurisdiction of one State to or through an area under the national jurisdiction of another State or to or through an area not under the national jurisdiction of any State, provided at least two States are involved in the movement, or through a State or States which are not parties Web link: http://www.basel.int/TheConvention/Overview/TextoftheConvention/tabid/1275/Default.aspx The objective of the Convention is to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects resulting from the generation, management, transboundary movements and disposal of hazardous and other wastes. Its level of application covers a wide range of hazardous wastes based on their origin and/or composition and their characteristics, as well as two types of other wastes (household waste and incinerator ash). The aims and provisions of the Convention center around the following principal aims: yy The reduction of hazardous waste generation and the promotion of environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes, wherever the place of disposal; yy The restriction of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes except where it is perceived to be in accordance with the principles of environmentally sound management; and, yy A regulatory system applying to cases where transboundary movements are permissible.

Policy Objectives

Sovereignty

N/A

Policy Implications

Safety

Increased protection of human health and environment by minimizing the generation and regulating the management (collection, transport, disposal) of hazardous and other wastes hereby reducing risks This might create challenges for monitoring and tracking of transport, dumping, accidents and their consequences, Increased protection of the environment against the adverse effects of hazardous and other wastes which may result from the generation and management of these. Need to be able to monitor effects and extent of hazardous and other wastes on the environment.

Environment

Economic Development

N/A

Indigenous and Social Development

N/A

Capability to: yy Monitor and report on the (legal/illegal) transport, collection and disposal of hazardous wastes and other wastes yy Reduce as much as possible the amount of hazardous wastes and other wastes and the transboundary movement of these yy Monitor, assess the effects of managing hazardous and other wastes on human health and the environment yy Regulate any transboundary movements of hazardous wastes in an environmental sound way yy Strictly control hazardous waste from the moment of generation to its storage, transport, treatment, reuse, recycling, recovery and final disposal Information on: yy Quantitative and qualitative transboundary movements of hazardous wastes or other wastes and their detailed characteristics yy Legal/illegal disposal, collection or transport or traffic yy Research of development of technologies for the reduction and or elimination of production of hazardous wastes yy Accidents and measures taken yy Disposal, collection and transport that didn’t proceed as intended yy Transport, treatment, reuse, recycling, recovery and final disposal of hazardous and other wastes.

Capability Requirements

Information Requirements

B.2.9 SOLAS – International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea SOLAS – International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Facts in Brief Jurisdiction: International Maritime Organization and its member states.

Responsible Organizations: Each IMO member of convention is responsible for compliance with the Convention’s regulations. Status: The Convention is in force today and is sometimes referred to as SOLAS, 1974, as amended. Type: Convention Coverage: Flag States are responsible for ensuring that ships under their flag comply with its requirements, and a number of certificates are prescribed in the Convention as proof that this has been done. Web link: http://www.imo.org/about/conventions/listofconventions/pages/international-convention-for-the-safety-of-life-at- sea-%28solas%29,-1974.aspx

71 B. INVENTORY OF ARCTIC POLICIES AND INDUSTRY INTERESTS