UNECE International Forum “Common Regulatory Language for Global Trade” 19-21 June 2006

1. UNECE International Forum “Common Regulatory Language for Global Trade”19-21 June 2006 Tea Aulavuo, Environment, Housing and Land Management Division UNECE regulatory activities in ENVIRONMENT

2. Outline • Background; • Elaboration of the Agreements; • Overview of the Agreements; • Benefits; • Role of the UNECE Committee of Environmental Policy in promoting implementation of the Agreements.

3. UNECE Environmental Agreements • UNECE = only UN Regional Commission with legislation on environment • UNECE region causes 2/3 of world’s pollution • Environment = high priority • Acid rain prompted UNECE Air Pollution Convention in 1970’s • Today 17 environmental legal instruments • Open also to non-UNECE countries

4. Elaboration of the Environmental Conventions and their Protocols • CEP initiates intergovernmental negotiations for the Conventions • Negotiation process • Signature • Ratification through parliamentary agreement • Entry into force after 16 ratifications • Legally binding to Parties to the Convention • Governing Bodies of Conventions responsible for implementation activities and development of Protocols • Treaties under constant monitoring and review

5. 5 Environmental Conventions and 12 Protocols: • Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution and its 8 protocols • Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context and its protocol • Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes and its protocol • Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents and its protocol • Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters and its protocol

6. CONVENTION ON LONG-RANGE TRANSBOUNDARY AIR POLLUTION • Combats damage from air pollution • Sets principles of cooperation for air pollution abatement • Creates institutional framework for collaborative research and policy • Has prompted development of environmental law and stability Adopted in 1979; Entered into force in 1983

7. 8 Protocols • 1999 Multi-effect (20 Parties) • 1998 Heavy Metals (28 Parties) • 1998 POPs (26 Parties) • 1994 Sulphur (27 Parties) • 1991 VOC (21 Parties) • 1988 NOx (31 Parties) • 1985 Sulphur (22 Parties) • 1984 EMEP Protocol (41 Parties)

8. Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) • UN Sect.Gen. :"UN's most ambitious venture in the area of environmental democracy.." • Protects citizens’ environmental and human rights • Ensures greater transparency and accountability of authorities and enterprises • Grants the public: • access to information, • participation in decisions affecting environment, • access to justice. Adopted in Aarhus, DK, 1998; Entered into force 2001; 39 Parties

9. Protocol on pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTR) • Enhances public access to information • Requires: • Mandatory reporting of certain pollutants • Publicly accessible inventories · 'Name and shame' approach leads to reduction of pollution Adopted in Kiev 2003, Signed by 36 States and the EC, Open to all UN Member States

10. Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context Requires Parties: • Notify and consult each other on projects likely to have significant adverse transboundary environmental impact • Assess environmental impact at early stage • Provide public opportunity to participate Adopted in 1991 (Espoo, Finland), Entered into force 1997, 41 Parties

11. Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) • Requires Parties evaluate environmental & health consequences of draft plans & programmes • Applied at strategic levels of decision-making • Key tool for sustainable development • Provides for extensive public participation • Adopted in Kiev 2003, Expected entry into force 2007 • Open to all UN Member States

12. WaterConvention • Protection of transboundary waters • By preventing and reducing transboundary impacts • Ecologically sound and rational management of transboundary waters • Reasonable and equitable use of transboundary waters Conflict prevention • Conservation and restoration of ecosystems • Signed in 1992, entered into force in 1996, Parties: 34 countries and the EC; Open to non-ECE countries

13. Protocol on Water and Health • Protection of human health and well-being through: • Improving water management • Protecting water ecosystems • Preventing and reducing water-related disease • Signed in 1999, entered into force in 2005 • Parties: 17 countries • Joint UNECE and WHO/EURO secretariat • First meeting of the Parties: January 2007

14. Convention on the TransboundaryEffects of Industrial Accidents • Aims: - prevention, - preparedness and - response to industrial accidents • Main focus: implementation of the Convention by EECCA and SEE countries • Adopted in 1992; Entered into force in 2000 • Number of Parties 35

15. The Protocol on Civil Liability and Compensation for Damage Caused by the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents on Transboundary Waters • Provides a mechanism for individuals affected by industrial accidents • for filing legal claims • receiving adequate and prompt compensation • Adopted in 2003; Not yet in force

16. Further information: Links to the UNECE Environmental Convention websites from: http://www.unece.org/env/

17. Environmental Agreements - BENEFITS : • Set legal basis for action • Reduce environmental damage & prompt sustainable development • Improve environmental legislation and management • Stimulate transboundary environmental cooperation • Promote cross-sectoral cooperation • Prompt capacity-building and awareness-raising • Prevent and solve conflicts • Improve access to information and justice by the public

18. Role of the Committee on Environmental Policy • Considers Convention activities at its annual sessions • Promotes their implementation • Initiated Joint Meetings of the Bureaux to: • Enhance coordination and cooperation • Seek synergies and interlinkages • Share experiences • Improve compliance and implementation

19. Thank you for your attention!