Environment Conventions Flashcards

Question

What are (POPs) that are covered under the Stockholm convention ?

Answer 1

What are POPs? Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are organic chemical substances, that is, they are carbon-based. They possess a particular combination of physical and chemical properties such that, once released into the environment, they: remain intact for exceptionally long periods of time (many years); become widely distributed throughout the environment as a result of natural processes involving soil, water and, most notably, air; accumulate in the living organisms including humans, and are found at higher concentrations at higher levels in the food chain; and are toxic to both humans and wildlife. As a result of releases to the environment over the past several decades due especially to human activities, POPs are now widely distributed over large regions (including those where POPs have never been used) and, in some cases, they are found around the globe. This extensive contamination of environmental media and living organisms includes many foodstuffs and has resulted in the sustained exposure of many species, including humans, for periods of time that span generations, resulting in both acute and chronic toxic effects. In addition, POPs concentrate in living organisms through another process called bioaccumulation. Fish, predatory birds, mammals, and humans are high up in the food chain and so absorb the greatest concentrations. When they travel, the POPs travel with them. As a result of these two processes, POPs can be found in people and animals living in regions such as the Arctic, thousands of kilometers from any major POPs source. Specific effects of POPs can include cancer, allergies and hypersensitivity, damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, reproductive disorders, and disruption of the immune system. Some POPs are also considered to be endocrine disrupters, which, by altering the hormonal system, can damage the reproductive and immune systems of exposed individuals as well as their offspring; they can also have developmental and carcinogenic effects.

Answer 2

Initially, twelve POPs have been recognized as causing adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem and these can be placed in 3 categories: Pesticides: aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, toxaphene; Industrial chemicals: hexachlorobenzene, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); and By-products: hexachlorobenzene; polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF), and PCBs.

Answer 3

``` Chemical Annex Specific exemptions / Acceptable purposes Decision Factsheet ``` Alpha hexachlorocyclohexane A Production: None Use: None SC-4/10 Beta hexachlorocyclohexane A Production: None Use: None SC-4/11 Chlordecone A Production: None Use: None SC-4/12 Decabromodiphenyl ether (commercial mixture, c-decaBDE) A Production: As allowed for the Parties listed in the Register Use: Vehicles, aircraft, textile, additives in plastic housings etc., polyurethane foam for building insulation, in accordance with Part IX of Annex A SC-8/10 ``` Dicofol A Production: None Use: None SC-9/11 ``` ``` Hexabromobiphenyl A Production: None Use: None SC-4/13 ``` Hexabromocyclododecane A Production: As allowed by the Parties listed in the Register of specific exemptions. Use: Expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of part VII of Annex A SC-6/13 Hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether (commercial octabromodiphenyl ether) A Production: None Use: Articles in accordance with the provisions of Part IV of Annex A SC-4/14 ``` Hexachlorobutadiene A and C Production: None Use: None SC-7/12 SC-8/12 ``` ``` Lindane A Production: None Use: Human health pharmaceutical for control of head lice and scabies as second line treatment SC-4/15 ``` ``` Pentachlorobenzene A and C Production: None Use: None SC-4/16 ``` Pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters A Production: As allowed for the Parties listed in the Register in accordance with the provisions of part VIII of Annex A Use: Pentachlorophenol for utility poles and cross-arms in accordance with the provisions of part VIII of Annex A SC-7/13 Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) B Production: For the use below Use: Acceptable purposes and specific exemptions in accordance with Part III of Annex B SC-4/17 SC-9/4 Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds A Production: Fire-fighting foam: None. For other production, as allowed for the Parties listed in the Register in accordance with the provisions of part X of Annex A Use: In accordance with the provisions of part X of Annex A SC-9/12 ``` Polychlorinated naphthalenes A and C Production: For the use below Use: Production of polyfluorinated naphthalenes, including octafluoronaphthalene SC-7/14 ``` Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) A Production: As allowed for the Parties listed in the Register Use: Additives in transmission belts, rubber conveyor belts, leather, lubricant additives, tubes for outdoor decoration bulbs, paints, adhesives, metal processing, plasticizers SC-8/11 Technical endosulfan and its related isomers A Production: As allowed for the Parties listed in the Register of specific exemptions Use: Crop-pest complexes as listed in accordance with the provisions of part VI of Annex A SC-5/3 Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether (commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether) A Production: None Use: Articles in accordance with the provisions of Part V of Annex A

Answer 4

No because . There is conflict between TRIPS and Nagoya protocol . Because they are totally opposite to each other and legally binding.. To overcome these difficulties some countries which signed both are now developing certain policies such as COMPULSORY LICENSING POLICY .

Answer 5

``` They were adopted at Nagoya, 2010. It’s decided that 2011-2020 as ‘ world decade on Biodiversity ‘ 5 goals are Protect bios. Sustainable use of its components. Capacity building. Fair and equitable sharing Protection of habitats ``` Even though Russia signed cbd . It hasn’t signed the Nagoya protocol.

Answer 6

Definitely by FAO. also focuses on farmers rights. It’s for food security.

Answer 7

Related to migratory animals and birds … . Divides animals into two categories. 1. Appendix 1 — threatened with extinction. 2. Appendix 2—— species migration that require international cooperation. India signed it with special focus on Amur falcon

Answer 8

Answer 9

Features of the Montreal Protocol It requires all Parties to eliminate the production and import of nearly 100 substances that deplete the ozone layer, in accordance with agreed timelines. It includes special provisions for developing countries. The agreement set a mandatory timetable for the phasing out of main ozone-depleting substances and provided money to developing countries to help them phase out these substances. But an extraordinarily successful agreement, the Montreal Protocol, has served largely to eliminate the production and use of ozone-depleting chemicals, while the Kyoto Protocol has spurred only modest steps toward stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions In Switzerland, the Vienna Convention has been in force since 22 September 1988. The objective of the Montreal Protocol of 1987 is to repair the ozone layer through worldwide reduction and ultimately elimination of ozone depleting substances. The Montreal Protocol has been successful in reducing ozone-depleting substances and reactive chlorine and bromine in the stratosphere. As a result, the ozone layer is showing the first signs of recovery. The 1997 Kyoto Protocol – an agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – is the world's only legally binding treaty to reduce greenhouse emissions. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is an international agreement to gradually reduce the consumption and production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). It is a legally binding agreement designed to create rights and obligations in international law. Canada, Japan and Russia said last year they would not accept new Kyoto commitments, but Canada is the only country to repudiate it altogether. The protocol, initially adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, is aimed at fighting global warming.

Answer 10

Canada, Japan and Russia said last year they would not accept new Kyoto commitments, but Canada is the only country to repudiate it altogether. The protocol, initially adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, is aimed at fighting global warming. Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, which established top-down legally binding emissions reduction targets (as well as penalties for noncompliance) for developed nations only, the Paris Agreement requires that all countries—rich, poor, developed, and developing—do their part and slash greenhouse gas emissions. Bush administration Similar objections to the Kyoto Protocol were why the Bush administration refused to sign. They argued the division between Annex 1 and developing countries was unfair, and that both countries needed to reduce their emissions unilaterally. The key axis of the EU and China remained intact and there was thankfully no mass exodus. The bottom up approach of the Paris Agreement, with governments having to approve nationally what they bring to the international table via the nationally determined contributions, has helped to reinforce the accord's resilience…. The headline results tell us that between 1990 and 2012 the original Kyoto Protocol parties reduced their CO2 emissions by 12.5%, which is well beyond the 2012 target of 4.7% (CO2 only, rather than greenhouse gases, and including Canada*). The Kyoto Protocol was therefore a huge success. The Paris Agreement set out to improve upon and replace the Kyoto Protocol, an earlier international treaty designed to curb the release of greenhouse gases. It entered into force on November 4, 2016, and has been signed by 195 countries and ratified by 190 as of January 2021. The contributions are not legally binding. The goal is to make sure that all countries have access to technical expertise and financial capability to meet the climate challenges. Every one of the world's leading economies, including all the countries that make up the G20, is failing to meet commitments made in the landmark Paris agreement in order to stave off climate catastrophe, a damning new analysis has found. The Kyoto protocol focuses on reducing emissions of greenhouse gases to 5.2% below pre-1990 levels, whereas the Paris agreement focuses on stopping the global temp well below 2*c and achieve close to 1.5%

Answer 11

Legal binding only on Annex1 countries and not on non annex countries . Annex I countries – industrialized countries and economies in transition. Annex II countries – developed countries which pay for costs of developing countries. Developing countries Non-Annex I countries are developing countries, under the Kyoto Protocol. Non-Annex I countries do not have legally binding emissions reductions targets… Annex 2 countries are those countries which are only developed rich nations and does not include economies in transition………..or let’s say Those countries which give money to developing non annex countries for fight against climate change . This is under CDM Paris agreement won’t create such a divide like annex 1 and annex2 and non annex. A

Answer 12

It applies to greenhouse gases below listed in AnnexA ``` Co2 Methane Nox PFC.s HFC.s SF6 ```

Answer 13

JIP is a joint programme between “two or more annex 1 and Annex2 countries “ Here Carbon trade of certified emission reductions are not allowed in JIP , but they are allowed in CDM. CDM happens between Annex 2 countries and non annex countries . And carbon trade under it happens between Annex1 and Non Annex2 countries.

Answer 14

REDD is the abbreviation for “reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation”, followed by REDD+, with the “plus” referring to “the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhance- ment of forest carbon stocks in developing countries”. Currently, funding for REDD+ comes from various types—including public and private, bilateral and multilateral, national and international—various sources—such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the REDD Early Movers Program (REM)—and is channeled through different funding mechanisms—such as loans and grants. So is REDD+ working? Yes, says Comstock, but much more needs to be done. “One factor that could provide major incentives for scaling up forest protection is a global price on carbon, including through carbon markets. UN REDD Is a multi initiative of UNEP,UNDP,FAO. It came based on unfccc decisions on the Bali action plan and REDD at cop-13 ``` United Nations REDD Programme UN-REDD National Programmes UN-REDD Partner Countries Established September 24, 2008 Headquarters Geneva, Switzerland Membership 65 Partner Countries. ``` Some also promote sustainable forest management and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+). Of these, 359 are considered currently active, 67 were completed before 2018, and 41 have not yet started or have been discontinued… REDD+ makes rainforests worth more alive than dead, overcoming the financial incentives to destroy and degrade them for timber, agriculture and livestock grazing. Measuring and pricing the carbon captured and stored is currently the best method we have to value this critical resource. REDD+ goes beyond simply deforestation and forest degradation. It aims to incentivize developing countries to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, conserve forest carbon stocks, sustainably manage forests and enhance forest carbon stocks.

Answer 15

Yes it’s voluntary approach developed by UNFCCC

Answer 16

World banks forest carbon partnership facility, the global environment facility , and the green climate fund

Answer 17

It is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (activities commonly referred to as REDD+). The World Bank assumes the functions of trustee and secretariat. The World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and United Nations Development Programme are Delivery Partners under the Readiness Fund and responsible for providing REDD+ readiness support. Objectives To assist countries in their REDD+ efforts by providing them with financial and technical assistance. To pilot a performance-based payment system for REDD+ activities. To test ways to sustain or enhance livelihoods of local communities and to conserve biodiversity. To disseminate broadly the knowledge gained in Emission Reductions Programs (ERPs).

Answer 18

The third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction is took place from 14 -18 March 2015 in Sendai, Japan. The Conference adopted the Sendai Declaration and Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 The conference brought together government and civil society leaders from around the world to discuss ways to better prepare for and curb the impact of disasters, and to agree on an updated global response framework. The main aim of the conference was to update the landmark agreement reached a decade ago in Hyogo, also in Japan, which detailed the work required from all different sectors and actors to reduce disaster losses. The Hyogo Framework for Action has produced some important successes, including the reduction in the number of people directly affected by natural disasters in Asia – where most such disasters occur – by almost one billion.