Basel Convention

Definition

The Basel Convention is an international treaty that was adopted in 1989 to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, particularly from developed to developing countries. It aims to protect human health and the environment by ensuring that hazardous wastes are managed in an environmentally sound manner, establishing a framework for the regulation of transboundary waste movements and promoting waste minimization strategies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Basel Convention entered into force in 1992 and has been ratified by over 180 countries, making it one of the most widely accepted environmental treaties.
2. One of the key principles of the Basel Convention is the 'prior informed consent' requirement, which mandates that exporting countries must obtain consent from receiving countries before hazardous waste shipments occur.
3. The treaty encourages member states to develop national strategies for the management of hazardous waste and to promote cleaner production methods to minimize waste generation.
4. The Basel Convention has faced challenges with illegal waste dumping and trafficking, leading to ongoing efforts to strengthen enforcement and compliance measures among member nations.
5. In 2019, the Basel Convention was amended to include plastic waste, reflecting growing concerns about plastic pollution and its impact on health and the environment.

Review Questions

• How does the Basel Convention facilitate cooperation among countries in managing hazardous waste?
  • The Basel Convention promotes cooperation among countries by establishing a framework for the regulation of transboundary movements of hazardous waste. It requires that exporting countries obtain 'prior informed consent' from importing countries before shipping hazardous wastes, ensuring that all parties are aware and agree to the conditions under which waste will be transported. This collaborative approach helps prevent illegal dumping and encourages environmentally sound management practices across borders.
• Discuss the implications of including plastic waste in the Basel Convention amendments made in 2019.
  • The inclusion of plastic waste in the Basel Convention amendments made in 2019 highlights the urgent need for global action against plastic pollution. By regulating plastic waste under this treaty, countries are now required to manage it similarly to other hazardous wastes, which enhances accountability and reduces illegal trafficking. This change also signals a shift towards recognizing plastics as a significant environmental threat, prompting nations to develop more robust waste management strategies and reduce plastic production.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Basel Convention in preventing illegal hazardous waste dumping and what future steps could improve its impact.
  • While the Basel Convention has been instrumental in establishing guidelines for hazardous waste management, challenges remain regarding illegal dumping and enforcement. Factors such as varying national compliance levels and lack of resources hinder its overall effectiveness. To improve its impact, future steps could include strengthening international cooperation mechanisms, enhancing monitoring technologies for tracking waste movements, and providing financial assistance for developing nations to build their waste management infrastructure. Additionally, increasing public awareness about the environmental risks associated with improper waste disposal could foster greater compliance among nations.

Related terms

Hazardous Waste: Waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment due to its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics.

Transboundary Movements: The movement of hazardous wastes across national borders, which is regulated under the Basel Convention to prevent illegal dumping and ensure safe disposal practices.

Environmental Justice: A movement advocating for the fair treatment of all people regarding environmental policies and practices, ensuring that no group bears a disproportionate share of environmental burdens, such as hazardous waste disposal.