Marine Pollution: London Convention & Protocol

• The lecture discusses prevention of marine pollution by dumping of wastes and other matter.
• It covers the London Convention of 1972 and the London Protocol of 1996.

Introduction

• The Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972, known as the "London Convention" or "LC '72" abbreviated as Marine Dumping.
• The London Convention controls sea pollution by dumping and fosters supplementary regional agreements.
• It is one of the first global conventions under the IMO that addresses effective control of ocean dumping (disposal of wastes) at sea from vessels, aircraft, platforms, or other man-made structures.
• The London Convention has been in force since 1975.
• Discharges from land-based sources; wastes incidental to normal vessel operation; or material placement are not covered.
• As of January 2021, there are 87 Member Parties to the London Convention after the Convention entered into force on August 30, 1975.

Definition of Dumping

• "Dumping" is the disposal at sea of wastes or other matter from vessels, aircraft, platforms or other man-made structures.
• It refers to the deliberate disposal, also includes the disposal of the vessels or platforms themselves.

Background of the London Convention

• It was called for by the UN Conference on the Human Environment (June 1972, Stockholm).
• It was drafted at the Intergovernmental Conference on the Convention on the Dumping of Wastes at Sea (13 November 1972, London).
• It was opened for signature on 29 December 1972 and went into force on 30 August 1975 when 15 nations ratified it.
• The major objective of the LC is to prevent indiscriminate disposal at sea of wastes; to prevent hazards to human health; harm living resources and marine life; damage amenities; or interfere with other legitimate uses of the sea.
• The 1972 Convention extends its scope over "all marine waters other than the internal waters" of the States

Wastes and Other Matter

• The Convention consists of 22 Articles and 3 Annexes.
• It regulates ocean dumping, following a "black list/grey list" approach
• Annex I materials (black list) generally may not be ocean dumped, may be permissible if present only as "trace contaminants" or "rapidly rendered harmless”.
• Annex II materials (grey list) require "special care".
• Annex IIIlays out general technical factors to be considered in establishing criteria for issuance of ocean dumping permits.
• Trace contaminants and residues are incredibly small particles or microorganisms that can make their way into our food system.
• These particles or microorganisms can include anything from bacteria to pesticides to minerals found in or on consumables like food and water.

Black, Grey List Approval

• Using the "Black- and grey-list" determines disposal at sea according to the hazard wastes cause to the environment.
• Dumping of 'Black list' items is prohibited.
• Dumping 'Grey list' materials requires a special permit from a designated national authority under control and conditions.
• All other materials/substances can be dumped after a general permit is issued.
• Blacklist items prohibited: Mercury, Cadmium, Persistent Plastics, Oil, Radioactive Waste, Organohalogens
• Grey list items require a permit.
• Includes: Arsenic, Copper, Lead, Cyanide, Fluorides, Pesticides and Scrap Metal
• It banned ocean dumping of waste produced on land

London Protocol 1996

• In 1993, parties to the London Convention decided to prohibit dumping of radioactive waste and sea-based incineration of sewage sludge and industrial waste.
• The 1996 Protocol called the London Protocol replaced the London Convention when it was rationalized and superseded by the 1996 Protocol to the Convention Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter.
• The Protocol went into force on 24 March 2006, having 53 Parties up to March 2019.
• The LP 96 is a modern, comprehensive global treaty for marine pollution prevention from dumping at sea.
• The Protocol prohibits all dumping.

Annex 1

• It includes wastes or other matter that may be considered for dumping:
• Dredged material
• Sewage sludge
• Fish waste or material from industrial fish processing
• Vessels and platforms/other man-made structures at sea
• Inert inorganic geological material
• Organic material of natural origin
• Bulky items of iron, steel, concrete or unharmful materials for which physical impact is a concern, in circumstances where wastes are generated at locations such as small islands with isolated communities

Other Prohibitions

• The 1996 protocol prohibits incineration at sea except for emergencies and prohibits waste exports to non-Parties for dumping or incineration at sea.
• The LP 1996 uses a Reverse list approach.
• It includes: prohibition of incineration, phase in compliance, no export for dumping or incineration, and compliance procedures are advice oriented, not punitive.

Conclusion

• Solid waste disposal at sea has been regulated under international agreements for 40 years.
• The problem remains whether this regime is implemented, given substantial under-reporting.
• There is a knowledge gap in implementing the 1972 London Convention and the 1996 London Protocol, as the Meetings of the Contracting Parties acknowledged.
• The International Maritime Organization, some Contracting Parties, provide capacity building for better implementation.
• A significant capacity-building gap remains.

This lecture discusses the prevention of marine pollution by dumping wastes. It covers the 1972 London Convention and the 1996 London Protocol, key international agreements for controlling ocean dumping and promoting regional cooperation.