Vienna Convention / Rotterdam Convention / Stockholm Convention / Basel Convention

Vienna Convention

India became a Party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of Ozone Layer on 19 June 1991 and the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer on 17 September 1992. Consequently, it ratified the Copenhagen, Montreal and Beijing Amendments in 2003. A detailed Country Programme for phasing out ozone depleting substances (ODSs) was prepared in 1993, supported by regulatory and fiscal measures as specified in the Montreal Protocol with financial and technical support received from the Multilateral Fund (MLF). The Ministry of Environment and Forests established an Ozone Cell and a steering committee on the Montreal Protocol to facilitate implementation of the India Country Programme for phasing out ODS (ozone depleting substances ) production by 2010.

Rotterdam Convention

One of the key conventions developed to protect countries from use of hazardous materials is the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in international Trade. This convention was signed in 1998 and became effective from 2004. It is a multilateral treaty to promote shared responsibilities in relation to import of hazardous chemicals. The Convention promotes open exchange of information and calls on exporters of Hazardous chemicals to use proper labeling. Include directions on safe handing, and inform purchasers of any known restrictions or bans. India ratified the Convention on Prior informed Consent Procedure for certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International trade in 2006.

Basel Convention

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of hazardous Wastes and their Disposal is the most comprehensive global environmental agreement

on hazardous and other wastes. The Convention aims to protect human health and the environment against adverse effects resulting from the generation , management, trans- boundary movements and disposal of hazardous and other wastes.  The Basel Convention came into force in 1992; India ratified the Basel Convention in 1992, shortly after it came into force. The Indian Hazardous Wastes Management Rules (2009) encompasses some of the Basel provisions related to the notification of import and export of hazardous waste, illegal trafficking and liability.

Stockholm Convention

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent organic Pollutants (POPs) was adopted in 2001 with the objective of protecting human health and the environment from POPs, and came into force in 2004. Under the Convention the parties are required to develop national implementation plans (NIPs) to demonstrate how their obligations to the Convention will be implemented.

Conclusion

As the global economy and grown and developed, issues related to sustainable development are receiving increased importance at the international level. One of the ways in which India has shown its increased commitment towards sustainable development is through its growing participation in various international agreements. India was one of the initial signatories to the GATT that was created with the key objects of promoting global free trade. With liberalization of India’s foreign investment policy, India has entered into several bilateral investments promotion and protection agreements (BIPAs). India has also strengthened its global position towards social development and is a charter member of the United Nations and participates in all its specialized agencies. Further, India has been active in all international forums relating to environmental protection and has acceded to almost all major multilateral environmental agreements and has established domestic policies and legislations complimenting the international obligations and pledges.