1
CASE FOR SYNERGIES• Importance of exploiting synergies is
widely recognised• When two or more organizations or
processes deal with similar or overlapping concerns-it is to their MUTUAL advantage to join forces and result is greater than individual efforts
• Opportunities have to be exploited
2
CASE FOR SYNERGIESHazardous waste and wastes will be
with us for many decades to comeGovernments have to learn from past
mistakes so as to strengthen their ability to protect human beings and the environment from future harm
3
THE HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AND WASTES CONVENTIONS
1) 1989 BASEL CONVENTION ON THE CONTROL OF TRANSBOUNDARY MOVEMENTS OF HAZARDOUS WASTES AND THEIER DISPOSAL (CONTROL REGIME FOR 45 GENERAL CATEGORIES AND TWO BROADER WASTE STREAMS)
2) 1998 ROTTERDAM CONVENTION ON THE PRIOR INFORMED CONCENT PROCEDURE FOR CERTAIN HAZARDOSU CHEMICALS AND PESTICIDES IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE(5 INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS AND 22 PESTICIDES INITIALLY)
3) 2000 STOCKHOLM CONVENTION ON PERSISITENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (TARGETS 12 POPS FOR REDUCTION AND EVENTUAL ELIMINATION)
4
THE HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AND WASTES CONVENTIONS
1) AIM TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT FROM HAZAROUS CHEMICALS AND WASTES
2) EACH IS GOVERNED BY SEPARATE COP3) THE THREE CONVENTIONS NEED TO BE SEEN AS A
PART OF A SINGLE INTEGRATED STRATEGY
5
BENEFITS OF EXPLOITING SYNERGIES AT NATIONAL LEVEL
1) IMPROVES EFFICIENCY IN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE THREE CONVENTIONS (MAKING FOCAL POINT WORK A LOT EASIER)
2) GREATER SAVINGS IN• TIME• MONEY• EFFORT
3) LESS DUPLICATION4) STRONGER PROTECTION FOR HUMAN HEALTH AND
THE ENVIRONMENT
6
• UNEP GOVERNING COUNCIL 2002 CALLED FOR GREATER COORDINATION AMONGST THESE CONVENTIONS
• A SERIES OF REGIONAL WORKSHOPS WERE HELD WORLDWIDE BETWEEN 2002-2004
• RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICAL ACTIONS WERE DEVELOPED
7
1. Establish goals and principles of promoting synergies(Aim for integrated national impelementation of the three MEAs through promotion of the benefits, involvement of stakeholders, reduce overlap, link with sustainable development and poverty reduction)
2. Improve communication and information flow 3. Build greater technical and institutional capacity4. Strengthen and coordinate the national policy
making process (address fragmentation)5. Harmonise national laws and policies6. More resources into chemicals and wastes
management7. Build more political and public support8. Strengthen international cooperation
RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENHANCE SYNERGIES AMONGST THE THREE CONVENTIONS