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    Environmental Conventions

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    Priya Kumari
    The document summarizes 12 important environmental conventions: 1. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification aims to combat desertification and mitigate drought effects. 2. The Bonn Convention conserves migratory species within their ranges. It is the only UN convention focused on migratory species. 3. The Ramsar Convention aims to conserve and sustainably use wetlands and was the first global treaty for ecosystem conservation. 4. The Vienna Convention established a framework for reducing chlorofluorocarbons to protect the ozone layer. 5. The Montreal Protocol legally binds countries to phase out ozone-depleting substances and was amended by the Kigali Agreement. 6. The

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    Environmental Conventions

    Uploaded by

    Priya Kumari
    52 views30 pages
    The document summarizes 12 important environmental conventions: 1. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification aims to combat desertification and mitigate drought effects. 2. The Bonn Convention conserves migratory species within their ranges. It is the only UN convention focused on migratory species. 3. The Ramsar Convention aims to conserve and sustainably use wetlands and was the first global treaty for ecosystem conservation. 4. The Vienna Convention established a framework for reducing chlorofluorocarbons to protect the ozone layer. 5. The Montreal Protocol legally binds countries to phase out ozone-depleting substances and was amended by the Kigali Agreement. 6. The

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    The document summarizes 12 important environmental conventions: 1. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification aims to combat desertification and mitigate drought effects. 2. The Bonn Convention conserves migratory species within their ranges. It is the only UN convention focused on migratory species. 3. The Ramsar Convention aims to conserve and sustainably use wetlands and was the first global treaty for ecosystem conservation. 4. The Vienna Convention established a framework for reducing chlorofluorocarbons to protect the ozone layer. 5. The Montreal Protocol legally binds countries to phase out ozone-depleting substances and was amended by the Kigali Agreement. 6. The

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    52 views30 pages

    Environmental Conventions

    Uploaded by

    Priya Kumari
    The document summarizes 12 important environmental conventions: 1. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification aims to combat desertification and mitigate drought effects. 2. The Bonn Convention conserves migratory species within their ranges. It is the only UN convention focused on migratory species. 3. The Ramsar Convention aims to conserve and sustainably use wetlands and was the first global treaty for ecosystem conservation. 4. The Vienna Convention established a framework for reducing chlorofluorocarbons to protect the ozone layer. 5. The Montreal Protocol legally binds countries to phase out ozone-depleting substances and was amended by the Kigali Agreement. 6. The

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    of 30

    Laex Prelims Marathon

    12 Important
    Environmental
    Conventions in
    News

    UPSC Prelims 2020


    Contents :
    1. United Nations Convention To Combat Desertification

    2. Bonn Convention, 1983

    3. Ramsar Convention

    4. The Vienna Convention For The Protection Of The Ozone Layer

    5. Montreal Protocol

    6. Minamata (Japan) Convention On Mercury

    7. Stockholm Convention On Persistent Organic Pollutants

    8. Rotterdam Convention

    9. Basel Convention

    10. Convention On International Trade In Endangered Species Of Wild Fauna And Flora

    11. The Convention On Biological Diversity

    12. United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change (UNFCCC)


    Climate Action Summit:
    At the 74" session of the United Nations General Assembly, Indian Prime Minister
    Shri Narendra Modi addressed the United Nations Climate Action Summit and the
    Universal Health Coverage Meeting, held in New York on 23 September 2019.
    1. Leadership Group: India and Sweden together with other countries, announced a
    new 'Leadership Group for Industry Transition' to help guide the world's heaviest
    greenhouse gas emitting (industries towards a low-carbon economy.
    2. Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
    PM announced global Coalition of CDRI, an International parties that will support
    both developed countries to build climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure.
    3. "PM called for people's Global Movement“
    UN Environment Assembly
    The 4th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) took place in
    Nairobi, Kenya. The theme of UNEA-4 was "Innovative Solutions for
    Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production".

    Nations unanimously agreed to significantly cut down on single-use


    plastic products like cups. cutlery and bags by 2030.

    Along with the summit, the United Nation Environment Program has also
    launched the Global Environment Outlook Report.
    International Stocktaking Conference on Tiger Conservation

    The 3rd International Stocktaking Conference on Tiger Conservation,


    relating to the Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP) implementation
    was held in New Delhi on 28 January 2019.

    The conference was hosted by the National Tiger Conservation


    Authority, Ministry of Environment, forest and Climate Change in close
    collaboration with the Global Tiger Forum.
    1. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
    Name: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
    Year 1994

    Members 197
    Objectives: To combat desertification and mitigate (decline or decrease) the
    effects of drought through national action programs.
    Legally Legally binding
    Binding/Not
    Important The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed
    Points every year on 17th June.
    India for the first time hosted the 14th session of the Conference of
    Parties (COP-14) of the (UNCCD)
    The theme of the Conference was "Restore land, Sustain future“.
    2. Bonn Convention
    Name: Bonn Convention

    Year 1983

    Members 129

    Objectives: Conserve migratory species within their migratory ranges.

    Legally Not legally binding


    Binding/Not
    Important Points It is the only convention which is a global, and United
    Nations-based, intergovernmental organization established
    exclusively for the conservation and management of
    terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species.
    Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
    The Conference of Parties (COP) is the decision-making organ of this convention.
    CMS Appendices
    Under this convention, migratory species threatened with extinction are listed
    1. Appendix I
    2. Appendix II of the Convention.
    India has been a Party to the CMS since 1983.
    COP13- The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) 13th Conference of Parties
    (COP) on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) concluded
    in Gandhinagar (Gujarat) on 22nd February 2020.
    ✓ The theme of CMS COP-13 was ‘Migratory species connect the planet and we
    welcome them home’.
    ✓ The mascot for CMS COP-13 was ‘Gibi – The Great Indian Bustard’. It is a critically
    endangered species (according to the IUCN) and has been accorded the highest
    protection status (listed in Schedule I) under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
    Takeaways of COP13-
    ✓ The CMS COP-13 has adopted the Gandhinagar Declaration which calls for migratory
    species and the concept of ‘ecological connectivity’ to be integrated and prioritized in
    the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
    ✓ The post-2020 global biodiversity framework is likely to be adopted by the 15th meeting
    of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in
    China’s Kunming in October 2020.
    ✓ Ten migratory species were added to CMS Appendices at COP-13 including the Asian
    Elephant, Jaguar and Great Indian Bustard.
    ✓ Seven species, namely Asian Elephant, Jaguar, Great Indian Bustard, Bengal Florican,
    Little Bustard, Antipodean Albatross and the Oceanic White-tip Shark were made part of
    the appendix one, which provides strictest protection.
    ✓ The Indian sub-continent is also part of the major bird flyway network, i.e, the
    Central Asian Flyway (CAF) that covers areas between the Arctic and Indian Oceans.
    ✓ India has also launched the National Action Plan for the conservation of migratory
    species under the Central Asian Flyway.
    ✓ India pledged to focus on the conservation of migratory birds along the Central
    Asian Flyway and announced the establishment of an institutional facility for
    undertaking research and assessment of the conservation of migratory birds, the
    conservation of marine turtles, reduction of pollution from micro-plastic and single-
    use plastic, transboundary protected areas, and sustainable infrastructure
    development.
    3. Ramsar Convention
    Name: Ramsar Convention

    Year 1975

    Members 171

    Objectives: Conservation and sustainable use of wetlands

    Legally Not legally binding


    Binding/Not
    Important Points It is the first and only global treaty for the conservation of
    a particular ecosystem.
    4. Vienna Convention
    Name: Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

    Year 1985

    Members 197

    Objectives: Providing frameworks for international reductions in the


    production of chlorofluorocarbons
    Legally Not legally binding
    Binding/Not
    Important Points World Ozone Day (16 September)
    5. Montreal Protocol
    Name: Montreal Protocol

    Year 1987
    Members 197
    Objectives: To protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production
    of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone
    depletion.
    Legally Legally binding
    Binding/Not
    Important Points Kigali agreement (2016) is an amendment to Montreal
    Protocol. Kigali Amendment is effective from 2019.
    6. Minamata Convention
    Name: Minamata Convention on Mercury under UNEP

    Year 2013

    Members 140

    Objectives: Designed to protect human health and the environment


    from mercury and mercury compounds.
    Legally Legally binding
    Binding/Not
    Important Points The Convention is named after the Japanese
    city Minamata.
    7. Stockholm Convention
    Name: Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

    Year 2001

    Members 152
    Objectives: It aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use
    of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
    Legally Legally binding
    Binding/Not
    Important Points The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) is the designated
    interim financial mechanism for the Stockholm
    Convention.
    8. Rotterdam Conventions
    Name: Rotterdam Convention

    Year 1998
    Members 72

    Objectives: Promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of


    hazardous chemicals.
    Legally Legally binding
    Binding/Not
    Important It provides for the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain
    Points Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, is a
    multilateral treaty which promotes shares responsibilities in
    related to the importance of hazardous chemicals.
    9. Basel Convention
    Name: Basel Convention
    Year 1989
    Members 53
    Objectives: Designed to reduce the movements of hazardous
    waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer
    of hazardous waste from developed to less developed
    countries (LDCs)
    Legally Binding/Not Legally binding
    Important Points It does not, however, address the movement of radioactive
    waste.
    Basel Convention in Geneva

    The 14th meeting of the Basel Convention, which laid down guidelines on the
    movement of hazardous waste, concluded in Geneva on 10 May 2019.

    A key outcome of the meeting was an amendment to the Convention that


    includes plastic waste in a legally-binding framework, which would make global
    trade in plastic waste more transparent and better regulated, whilst also
    ensuring that its management is safer for human health and the environment.

    However, it does not bar countries from exporting various categories of plastic
    waste.
    10. Environmental Conventions
    Name: CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
    Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
    Year 1973

    Members 183

    Objectives: To protect endangered plants and animals.

    Legally Binding/Not Legally binding

    Important Points Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties, it does not take
    the place of national laws.
    Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) was moved from CITES Appendix II
    to CITES Appendix I, giving it highest level of international protection from
    commercial trade. Indian star tortoise was also moved to CITES Appendix I. Tokay
    gecko (Gekko gecko) will be included in CITES Appendix II.

    Appendix I: It includes species threatened with


    extinction. CITES completely bans commercial
    trade in specimens of these species. But is
    permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
    Appendix II: It provides a lower level of
    protection.
    Appendix III: It contains species that are
    protected in at least one country, which has
    asked other CITES Parties for assistance in
    controlling the trade.
    11. Convention on Biodiversity
    Name: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)/Bio-Diversity
    convention
    Year 1992

    Members 196

    Objectives: To develop national strategies for the conservation and


    sustainable use of biological diversity.

    Legally Binding/Not Legally binding

    Important Points COP 15 to be held in Kunming, China, Second quarter of 2021


    12. UNFCC
    Name: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
    Change (UNFCCC)
    Year 1992

    Members 165 (197)

    Objectives: To reduce atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse


    gases
    Legally Not legally binding
    Binding/Not
    Important Points CoP-25 Madrid
    UNFCC COP 24
    The 24th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 24) to the United Nations
    Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held in Katowice, Poland.

    The conference finalized a rulebook for implementation of the Paris Agreement termed as
    "Katowice rule". The Paris: climate pact will 2020 and will replace the come into effect in
    existing Kyoto Protocol.

    The COP 25, was concluded in Madrid in 2019.


    All the best

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