The Vienna Convention for the protection of the Ozone Layer

The Vienna Convention, held under the auspices of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1985, was the first attempt to provide the framework for co-operative activities aimed at protecting the ozone layer. The convention was signed by 21 states, including the European Community, in March 1985. Parties to the Convention agreed to co-operate in scientific research in order to better understand the atmospheric processes, to share information on ODS production and emissions and to implement preventive measures to control ODS emissions.

It entered into force on 22 September 1988. The Vienna Convention was the first universal convention signed by every country involved and reaching universal ratification in 2009. This speaks to the enormity of ozone depletion at the time and the willingness of countries around the world to work together to resolve it. 

Objective

To promote cooperation among nations by exchanging information on the effects of human activities on the ozone layer.

• Date of adoption: 22.03.1985
• Date of entry into force: 22.09.1988
• Date of ratification by Sri Lanka: 15.12.1989
• Date of entry into force in Sri Lanka: 15.12.1989
• National Focal Point: Secretary, Ministry of Environment
• Operational Focal Point: Director, Air Resource Management & National Ozone Unit, Ministry of Environment

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion, and thereby protect the earth’s fragile ozone Layer.

On 16 September 1987, governments adopted the Montreal Protocol to reduce and eventually eliminate emissions of man-made Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). The Protocol entered into force on 1 January 1989, and today the Protocol has achieved universal ratification with 197 countries having committed themselves to phase out the consumption and production of ODS. The original 1987 Protocol listed eight controlled ODS - five chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) (Annex 1, Group I), three halons (Annex 1, Group II) - and specified the control measures intended to reduce the production and consumption of these ODS.

The Montreal Protocol includes a unique adjustment provision that enables the Parties to the Protocol to respond quickly to new scientific information and agree to accelerate the reductions required on chemicals already covered by the Protocol. Initially, there were 96 specific ODS controlled by the Protocol and 40 hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are still remained. It is important to know that while the Montreal Protocol contains phase-out schedules related to controlled substances, it does not control products (including equipment) containing those substances. The Protocol controls trade in virgin ODS and provides recommendations for the control of trade in recovered, recycled and reclaimed ODS.

These adjustments are then automatically applicable to all countries that ratified the Protocol.
Montreal Protocol divides the countries into two categories such as Article 5 and Non-Article 5 Countries. Countries those are classified as “developing countries” by the UN and using less than 0.3 kg ODP tonnes per capita per year of Annex A–controlled ODS or 0.2 kg ODP tonnes of Annex B–controlled ODS are considered as Article 5 Countries. Sri Lanka is included in this category. An ODP tonne equals a metric tonne of ODS multiplied by a factor of ozone depletion potential.

Objective

To stop the production and import of ozone depleting substances and reduce their concentration in the atmosphere to help protect the earth's ozone layer

• Date of Adoption: 16.09.1987
• Date of entry into force: 01.01.1989
• Date of ratification by Sri Lanka: 15.12.1989
• Date of entry into force in Sri Lanka: 15.12.1989
• National Focal Point: Secretary, Ministry of Environment
• Operational Focal Point: Director, Air Resource Management & National Ozone Unit, Ministry of Environment

Important Adjustments and Amendments to the Montreal Protocol

• 1992 - Copenhagen Amendment and Adjustment
• 1995 - Vienna Adjustment
• 1997 - Montreal Amendment and Adjustment
• 1999 - Beijing Amendment and Adjustment
• 2007 - Montreal Adjustment
• 2016 - Kigali Amendment
• 2018 - Quito Adjustment

Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol

 The amendment to the Montreal Protocol was made in Kigali, Rwanda, on the 15 October 2016 and by this amendment all parties have agreed to control the global warming by the gradual phase down of the use of refrigerants like hydrofluorocarbons which contribute to global warming, by the year 2050.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal made by then H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to ratify the Kigali Amendment by Sri Lanka on 10 October 2017.

Objective

To contribute to the global efforts of combating climate change

• Date of Adoption: 15.10.2016
• Date of entry into force: 01.01.2019
• Date of ratification by Sri Lanka: 28.09.2018
• Date of entry into force in Sri Lanka: 01.01.2019
• National Focal Point: Secretary, Ministry of Environment
• Operational Focal Point: Director, Air Resources Management and National Ozone Unit, Ministry of Environment

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty adopted on 9 May 1992 after an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) produced the text of the Framework Convention during its meeting in New York from 30 April to 9 May 1992. It was opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992. It then entered into force on 21 March 1994, after a sufficient number of countries had ratified it. The objective of this Convention is to "stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system". The framework sets non-binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions for individual countries and contains no enforcement mechanisms. Instead, the framework outlines how specific international treaties (known as "Protocols" or "Agreements") may be negotiated to specify further action towards the objective of the UNFCCC.

The UNFCCC has 197 parties as of December 2015. The convention enjoys broad legitimacy, largely due to its nearly universal membership. The parties to the convention have met annually from 1995 in Conferences of the Parties (COP) to assess progress in dealing with climate change.

Objective

Stabilization of greenhouse gas (GHG) – (carbon dioxide – CO2, Methane CH4, Nitrous Oxide NO2,

Perfluoro carbon PFCs, Hydrofluorocarbons HFCs, Sulphur hexafluoride SF6) concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climatic system.

• Date of adoption: 09.05.1992
• Date of entry into force: 21.03.1994
• Date of ratification by Sri Lanka: 23.11.1993
• Date of entry into force in Sri Lanka: 21.03.1994
• National Focal Point: Secretary, Ministry of Environment
• Operational Focal Point: Director, Climate Change Secretariat, Ministry of Environment

Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement builds upon the Convention and – for the first time – brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so. As such, it charts a new course in the global climate effort.

The Paris Agreement’s central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2.0 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 °C. Additionally, the agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change. To reach these ambitious goals, appropriate financial flows, a new technology framework and an enhanced capacity building framework will be put in place, thus supporting action by developing countries and the most vulnerable countries, in line with their own national objectives. The Agreement also provides for enhanced transparency of action and support through a more robust transparency framework.

Objective

• To strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping global temperature rise in this century well below 2.0 °C above pre-industrial levels and to
  pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 °C.
• Strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change.
• External financial support.

Date of ratification by Sri Lanka: 21.09.2016

Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty which extends the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that commits State Parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, based on the scientific consensus that (a) global warming is occurring and (b) it is extremely likely that human-made CO2 emissions have predominantly caused it. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. There are currently 192 parties to the Protocol.

The Kyoto Protocol implemented the objective of the UNFCCC to fight global warming by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to "a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system". The Protocol is based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities: it puts the obligation to reduce current emissions on developed countries on the basis that they are historically responsible for the current levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The Protocol's first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012. A second commitment period was agreed on in 2012.

Objective

Developed Countries have to reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gasses by at least 5% of the 1990 level by the period 2008 -2012.

• Date of adoption: 11.12.1997
• Date of entry into force: 16.02.2005
• Date of ratification by Sri Lanka: 03.09.2002
• Date of entry into force in Sri Lanka: 16.02.2005
• National Focal Point: Secretary, Ministry of Environment
• Operational Focal Point: Director, Climate Change Secretariat, Ministry of Environment

United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), known informally as the Biodiversity Convention, is a multilateral treaty. The Convention has three main goals including: the conservation of biological diversity (or biodiversity); the sustainable use of its components; and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. With this dramatic step forward, the CBD was inspired by the world community's growing commitment to sustainable development.

In other words, its objective is to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. It is often seen as the key document regarding sustainable development. The Convention was opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 5 June 1992 and entered into force on 29 December 1993. At the 10th Conference of Parties (COP 10) to the CBD in October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan, the Nagoya Protocol was adopted.

Objective

The conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies and appropriate funding.

• Date of adoption: 22.05.1992
• Date of entry into force: 29.12.1993
• Date of ratification by Sri Lanka: 23.03.1994
• Date of entry into force in Sri Lanka: 23.03.1994
• National focal point: Secretary, Ministry of Environment
• Operational Focal Point: Director, Biodiversity Secretariat, Ministry of Environment

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international agreement on biosafety as a supplement to the CBD which is in force since 2003. The Biosafety Protocol seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by genetically modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology.

The Biosafety Protocol makes clear that products from new technologies must be based on the precautionary principle and allow developing nations to balance public health against economic benefits. It will for example let countries ban imports of genetically modified organisms if they feel there is not enough scientific evidence that the product is safe and requires exporters to label shipments containing genetically altered commodities such as corn or cotton.

Objective

To contribute to ensuring an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health, and specially focusing on transboundary movement.

• Date of adoption: 29.01.2000
• Date of entry into force: 11.09.2003
• Date of ratification by Sri Lanka: 28.04.2004
• Date of entry into force in Sri Lanka: 28.07.2004
• National Focal Point: Secretary, Ministry of Environment
• Operational Focal Point: Director, Biodiversity Secretariat, Ministry of Environment

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a Convention to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought, in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa, through national action programs that incorporate long-term strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements.

The Convention, the only convention stemming from a direct recommendation of the Rio Conference's Agenda 21, was adopted in Paris, France on 17 June 1994 and entered into force in December 1996. It is the only internationally legally binding framework set up to address the concern of desertification. The Convention is based on the principles of participation, partnership and decentralization—the backbone of Good Governance and Sustainable Development.

Objective

To combat desertification and to mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious droughts and/or desertification with the final aim to prevent land degradation in the hyper arid, arid and semiarid, dry sub humid areas in the countries that are parties of the Convention.

• Date of adoption: 17.06.1994
• Date of entry into force: 26.12.1996
• Date of ratification by Sri Lanka: 09.12.1998
• Date of entry into force in Sri Lanka: 09.03.1999
• National Focal Point: Secretary, Ministry of Environment
• Operational Focal Point: Director, Land Resources Division, Ministry of Environment

Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal, usually known as the Basel Convention, is an international treaty that was 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). It does not, however, address the movement of radioactive waste. The Convention is also intended to minimize the amount and toxicity of wastes generated, to ensure their environmentally sound management as closely as possible to the source of generation, and to assist LDCs in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they generate.

The Convention was opened for signature on 22 March 1989, and entered into force on 5 May 1992. As of November 2016, 184 states and the European Union are parties to the Convention.

Objective

• To transboundary movements of hazardous waste and other waste subject to the Basel Convention to a minimum consistent with their environmentally sound management
• To ensure strict control over the movements of hazardous waste across the boarders as well as the prevention of illegal traffic
• To dispose of the hazardous waste and other waste generated, as close as possible to their source of generation
• To minimize the generation of hazardous waste in term of quality and hazardousness
• To prohibit shipments of hazardous waste to countries lacking the legal, administrative and technical capacity to manage and dispose of them in in an environmentally sound manner
• To assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition in environmentally sound management of the hazardous waste they generate.
• Date of adoption: 22.03.1989
• Date of entry into force: 05.05.1992
• Date of ratification by Sri Lanka: 28.08.1992
• Date of entry into force in Sri Lanka: 28.11.1992
• National focal point: Secretary, Ministry of Environment
• Operational Focal Point: Director, Environment Pollution Control and Chemical Management Division, Ministry of Environment
• National Competent Authority: Central Environmental Authority (CEA)

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is an international environmental treaty, signed in 2001 and effective from May 2004, that aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of POPs.

In 1995, the Governing Council of the UNEP called for global action to be taken on POPs, which it defined as "chemical substances that persist in the environment, bio-accumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment".

Following this, the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) and the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) prepared an assessment of the 12 worst offenders, known as the dirty dozen.

The INC met five times between June 1998 and December 2000 to elaborate the convention, and delegates adopted the Stockholm Convention on POPs at the Conference of the Plenipotentiaries convened from 22–23 May 2001 in Stockholm, Sweden.

The negotiations for the Convention were completed on 23 May 2001 in Stockholm. The convention entered into force on 17 May 2004 with ratification by an initial 128 parties and 151 signatories. Co-signatories agree to outlaw nine of the dirty dozen chemicals, limit the use of DDT to malaria control, and curtail inadvertent production of dioxins and furans.

Objective

To protect human health and the environment from POPs.

• Date of adoption: 22.05.2001
• Date of entry into force: 17.05.2004
• Date of ratification by Sri Lanka: 22.12.2005
• Date of entry into force in Sri Lanka: 22.12.2005
• National Focal Point: Secretary, Ministry of Environment
• Operational Focal Point: Director, Environment Pollution Control and Chemical Management Division, Ministry of Environment 

Minamata Convention on Mercury

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. This Convention was a result of three years of meeting and negotiating, after which the text of the Convention was approved by delegates representing close to 140 countries on 19 January 2013 in Geneva and adopted and signed later that year on 10 October 2013 at a Diplomatic Conference held in Kumamoto, Japan. The Convention is named after the Japanese city Minamata. This naming is of symbolic importance as the city went through a devastating incident of mercury poisoning. It is expected that over the next few decades, this international agreement will enhance the reduction of mercury pollution from the targeted activities responsible for the major release of mercury to the immediate environment.

• Date of adoption: 10.10.2013
• Date of entry into force: 16.08.2017
• Date of ratification by Sri Lanka: 19.06.2017
• Date of entry into force in Sri Lanka: 16.08.2017
• National Focal Point: Secretary, Ministry of Environment
• Operational Focal Point: Director, Environment Pollution Control and Chemical Management Division, Ministry of Environment