Introductory Course to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Corporate author UNEP/InforMEA Date 2016 Source IUCN (ID: MON-092677) Title (French) Cours d'introduction à la Convention de Stockholm sur les polluants organiques persistants Title (Spanish) Curso de introductorio al Convenio de Estocolmo sobre contaminantes orgánicos persistentes Publisher | Place of publication UNEP | www Document type Training/educational material Language English, Spanish, French Field of application International Subject Waste & hazardous substances Keyword Toxicity/poisoning Hazardous substances Public health International agreement-implementation International agreement-text Abstract Persistent organic pollutants (“POPs”) are organic chemical substances - 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 fatty tissue of 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. This course introduces you to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which seeks to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants by eliminating the most dangerous POPs, supporting the transition to safer alternatives and by cleaning-up old stockpiles and equipment containing POPs. At the end of this course, you will be able to: 1.Describe what persistent organic pollutants are and their properties 2.Identify the core components and mechanisms established by the Stockholm Convention 3.Outline the synergies process undertaken by the Stockholm, Rotterdam and Basel Conventions The course is comprised of 3 units. Each unit includes a book with links to InforMEA, relevant documents and websites, additional materials and videos. It will take you 1 hour approximately to complete the course, excluding additional materials. You can manage your time as you wish and retake the course whenever it is more convenient for you. After completing all the units and passing the quiz with an 80% of correct responses, you will receive a certificate of completion. Website e-learning.informea.org Other references Treaty Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Treaty | Multilateral | Stockholm | Sep 21, 2001 Keyword: Access-to-information, Emissions, Capacity building, Enforcement/compliance, Dispute settlement Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-001338)