Question

Why was the Basel Convention of the United Nations established?

Short answer

The Basel Convention was established to regulate the movement of hazardous waste and protect human health and the environment.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Purpose

The Basel Convention was established to regulate and minimize the movement of hazardous wastes between nations, especially from developed to less developed countries.

Understand Environmental Concerns

Recognize that before the Convention, there was increasing concern about the health and environmental risks posed by hazardous waste, particularly in developing countries that received such waste without the capacity to manage it safely.

Acknowledge the Global Agreement Framework

The Convention provided an international legal framework to ensure that hazardous waste is managed in a manner that protects human health and the environment by controlling its transboundary movements.

Link to Sustainable Development

The Basel Convention also aims to promote the environmentally sound management of hazardous waste as part of broader sustainable development goals, helping nations develop the capabilities to manage waste responsibly.

Key concepts

hazardous waste management

Hazardous waste management is an integral part of protecting our environment and health.
It includes all activities and processes needed to handle and dispose of waste materials that pose a threat to human health or the environment. Effective management ensures that hazardous waste is collected, treated, and disposed of in a way that reduces potential negative impacts.

It's important to consider:

• Safe Storage: Hazardous waste must be stored safely to prevent leaks and spills.
• Proper Treatment: Waste should undergo treatment processes to neutralize harmful properties.
• Controlled Disposal: Disposing of waste in controlled environments ensures contaminants do not enter ecosystems.

By managing hazardous waste carefully, we play a crucial role in sustaining our planet's health.

transboundary movement

Transboundary movement refers to the transfer of hazardous waste across international borders.
Regulation of such movements is vital because different countries have varying capabilities to safely handle hazardous waste. Often, developing countries lack the infrastructure to manage these materials.

The Basel Convention prioritizes minimizing and controlling these cross-border movements. It ensures waste is only moved between countries when:

• Both countries consent to the transfer.
• The recipient nation has adequate facilities to manage the waste.
• The transfer does not threaten environmental safety.

Such measures are crucial for maintaining global environmental integrity.

international legal framework

An international legal framework is necessary to oversee the safe handling of hazardous waste worldwide.
The Basel Convention established guidelines to standardize practices across different nations. This legal framework ensures countries adhere to environmental protocols while managing transboundary movements.

Some key aspects include:

• Requiring waste shipments between countries to have legal documentation.
• Mandating that nations develop national strategies to deal with hazardous waste.
• Encouraging cooperation between countries to address waste-related challenges.

By providing a regulatory foundation, the framework helps protect global health and the environment from the risks of hazardous waste.

sustainable development goals

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) guide global efforts towards achieving human prosperity while protecting the planet.
The Basel Convention contributes to several SDGs by promoting the environmentally sound management of hazardous waste. This ensures that economic growth does not come at the expense of environmental health.

This is achieved through:

• Encouraging countries to develop policies for waste minimization.
• Fostering innovation in waste management techniques.
• Promoting global partnerships to handle waste sustainably.

By aligning hazardous waste management with the SDGs, the convention aims to create a sustainable and healthy future for all.