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Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals

Document type
Multilateral
Field of application
Regional/restricted
Date
Jun 24, 1998
Source
IUCN (ID: TRE-001282)
Title (French)

Protocole à la Convention sur la pollution atmosphérique transfrontière à longue distance, relatif aux metaux lourds

Title (Spanish)

Protocolo a la Convención de 1979 sobre la contaminación transfronteriza a larga distancia relativo a los metales pesados

Title (Other)

Protokoll zu dem Übereinkommen von 1979 über die weiträumige grenzüberschreitende Luftverunreiningung betreffend Schwermetalle

Place of adoption
Aarhus
Depository
UN United Nations
Language
English, French, Russian
Entry into force
Dec 29, 2003
Subject
Waste & hazardous substances, Air & atmosphere
Keyword
Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Air quality/air pollution Long-range air pollution Education Data collection/reporting Air pollution (non-stationary sources) Transboundary effects Monitoring Oil Enforcement/compliance Technology transfer Energy conservation/energy production Pollution control Air pollution (stationary sources) Emissions Dispute settlement Research Law reform/harmonization/deregulation
Abstract

Objective: To control emissions of heavy metals caused by activities that are subject to long-range transboundary atmospheric transport.

Summary of provisions: Article 3 defines the basic obligations of Contracting Parties. Inter alia, each Party undertakes to reduce its total annual emissions into the atmosphere of each of the heavy metals listed in Annex I from the level of emission in the reference year set by that annex (art 3.1). Parties agree to apply best available techniques listed in Annex III and limit values specified in Annex V to new stationnary sources and, if technically and economically feasible, to existing ones (art 3.2). Each Party also agrees to develop and maintain emission inventories for the heavy metals listed in Annex I (art. 3.5). To enact these obligations, Parties agree, inter alia, to develop government/industry covenants, to encourage use of less polluting energy sources and take measures to phase out certain heavy metal emitting processes (art. 5). Parties further undertake to facilitate exchange of technologies and techniques to reduce emissions of heavy metals (art. 4). Finally, Parties undertake to encourage research, development, monitoring and cooperation related inter alia, to the emissions, transport and deposition levels, relevant effects on human health and the environment, best available techniques and effects-based approaches (art. 6).

Institutional mechanisms: A reporting mechanism is instituted by article 7, subject to Parties's laws governing the confidentiality of commercial information. The Executive Body set up by the Convention receive the reports, and the Implementation Committee reviews the compliance of each Party to its obligations under this Protocol (art. 9). Parties undertake to review the information supplied at sessions of the Executive Body (art. 10). Article 11 provides a procedure for the settlement of disputes.

(Source: IUCN ELC, 08.2005)

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Website
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Portugal
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Slovakia
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Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine - -
United Kingdom
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