The Basel Convention as an The Basel Convention as an instrument for moving towards instrument for moving towards

Zero Waste?Zero Waste?

Dr. Katharina Kummer PeiryExecutive Secretary

Secretariat of the Basel Convention/UNEP

Overview

• Basel Convention at a Glance

• Basel’s role in Zero Waste

• Possible approaches

• Partnerships under the

Basel Convention

• Conclusions

The Basel Convention at a Glance

• Only global treaty on waste management• Adopted in 1989; entered into force in 1992• Objective: To protect, by strict control,

human health and the environment against the adverse effects resulting from the generation and management of hazardous wastes and other wastes

• 175 Parties to the Convention

Two Pillars of the Convention

I.Regulation of transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes: “PIC procedure”

ANDAND Control and EnforcementControl and Enforcement mechanisms mechanisms (to deliver the above)(to deliver the above)

II.Environmentally sound management (ESM) of hazardous wastes and other wastes (cont.)

Environmentally sound management

• the treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes as close as possible to their source of generation,

• the reduction of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes to a minimum consistent with their environmentally sound management and

• the minimization of the generation of hazardous wastes.

Paradigm shift: from waste to resources• Waste management to

resource management• Waste = useless and costly

Resources = value and utility

• New technologies and business opportunities which enhance resource efficiency

The role of the Basel Convention• Basel needs to evolve

in light of this paradigm shift:– Address resource

management– Promote a life-cycle

approach which incorporates all aspects of sustainability

Theme of 10th Conference of Parties (Oct 11): The waste-resource interface

• How can the Basel Convention support economic benefits from valuable secondary raw materials in line with ESM / protection of human health/livelihood ( Green Economy)?

• Advisory Group of Senior Experts to Executive Secretary, January 2011 recommendations on possible approaches

Possible approachesBasel Convention as an “enabler”:

create incentive systems through legal requirements

• Extend provisions of Convention to integrate secondary resource management– Differentiate end-of-life goods from secondary

raw materials• Provide Basel Convention with tools to address

prevention and minimization of hazardous waste generation, the promotion of intelligent product design and a life-cycle approach to materials

Possible approaches

• Revise the permissibility of transboundary movements of hazardous waste to include movements carried out to promote resource efficiency through environmentally sound recycling or recovery operations;

• Take steps to help formalize the role of the informal sector in waste-resource management at the national level;

• Encourage public-private partnerships to enhance informal sector’s efficiency in resource recovery;

• Ensure that resource management at the national level explicitly factors in inputs from waste flows – both in terms of materials and energy

Possible approaches

Ensure Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) in move towards zero waste: establish standards on ESM

• Develop certification scheme(s) to an ESM standard relating to facilities, waste/resource streams, waste management systems, processing techniques

• Universal application: provide a level playing field• Use existing Basel mechanisms for review,

monitoring and evaluation

Partnerships under the Basel Convention• The Conference of the Parties in 2002 established a

Partnership Programme involving governments, industry and NGOs

Mobile Phone Partnership Initiative (MPPI, 2002) Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (PACE, 2008) Future Partnerships to follow?

• A partnership approach is also used in some capacity building activities under the Convention

Partnership for Action on Computer Equipment (PACE)

• Currently most important global multi-stakeholder partnership in the area of e-wastes

• Composed of Governments, Basel Convention Regional Centres, academic institutions, UN Organizations, computer manufacturers and other companies, industry associations, NGOs (over 60 members)

• Organized by project groups• Activities: development of practical guidelines,

pilot projects and awareness raising on all aspects of management of end-of life computing equipment

Possible roles of partnerships involving all levels of authorities

1. Prevention of illegal trade in wastes through partnerships and networks at all levels:

• At national level, between environmental inspectorates, local authorities, customs and police is important because each has specific competences and roles within the administrative system;

• At regional level via Basel Convention Regional Centres, IMPEL TFS, Asian Network etc.;

• At international level via INECE, World Customs Organisation, Interpol, etc.

Possible roles of partnerships involving all levels of authorities

2. Building capacity at all levels:• Specifying and quantifying clearly the needs for

capacity building of different countries at all levels, in accordance with their individual level of development. The Basel Convention Regional Centres might take the lead in this;

• Securing resources through political engagement with other processes;

• Securing funds, e.g. through fees for certification, financial instruments;

• Promote and realize technology transfer

Possible roles of partnerships involving all levels of authorities

3. Establishing Standards on Environmentally Sound Management (ESM)

• Streamline and harmonize ESM practices as they relate to facilities, waste streams, waste management systems at all levels, and to national legislation.

• Empower local authorities to enforce ESM practices within their jurisdictions

Conclusions

• Hazardous wastes cannot be meaningfully addressed in isolation from the entire economic, social, health and other waste issues;

• Need to strengthen measures applying to the entire waste cycle, moving mindset from “waste” to “resources”;

• Basel Convention to be seen as an instrument taking a holistic view of end-of-life materials: incorporate fundamental principles of sustainability and a life-cycle approach;

• This approach could achieve significant economic benefits while protecting human health and the environment – a concrete contribution to a Green Economy!

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Secretariat of the Basel ConventionInternational Environment House

15 Chemin des AnemonesChatelaine CH-1219

GENEVA, SWITZERLANDWebsite: www.basel.int

E-mail: katharina.kummer@unep.org