The Basel Convention as an instrument for moving towards Zero Waste?

1. The Basel Convention as an instrument for moving towards Zero Waste? Dr. Katharina Kummer Peiry Executive Secretary Secretariat of the Basel Convention/UNEP

2. Overview • Basel Convention at a Glance • Basel’s role in Zero Waste • Possible approaches • Partnerships under the Basel Convention • Conclusions

3. The Basel Convention at a Glance • Only global treaty on waste management • Adopted in 1989; entered into force in 1992 • Objective: To protect, by strict control, human health and the environment against the adverse effects resulting from the generation and management of hazardous wastes and other wastes • 175 Parties to the Convention

4. I.Regulation of transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes: “PIC procedure” ANDControl and Enforcement mechanisms (to deliver the above) II.Environmentally sound management(ESM) of hazardous wastes and other wastes (cont.) Two Pillars of the Convention

5. Environmentally sound management • the treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes as close as possible to their source of generation, • the reduction of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes to a minimum consistent with their environmentally sound management and • the minimization of the generation of hazardous wastes.

6. Paradigm shift: from waste to resources • Waste management to resource management • Waste = useless and costly  Resources = value and utility • New technologies and business opportunities which enhance resource efficiency

7. The role of the Basel Convention • Basel needs to evolve in light of this paradigm shift: • Address resource management • Promote a life-cycle approach which incorporates all aspects of sustainability

8. Theme of 10th Conference of Parties (Oct 11): The waste-resource interface • How can the Basel Convention support economic benefits from valuable secondary raw materials in line with ESM / protection of human health/livelihood ( Green Economy)? • Advisory Group of Senior Experts to Executive Secretary, January 2011  recommendations on possible approaches

9. Possibleapproaches Basel Convention as an “enabler”: create incentive systems through legal requirements • Extend provisions of Convention to integrate secondary resource management • Differentiate end-of-life goods from secondary raw materials • Provide Basel Convention with tools to address prevention and minimization of hazardous waste generation, the promotion of intelligent product design and a life-cycle approach to materials

10. Possibleapproaches • Revise the permissibility of transboundary movements of hazardous waste to include movements carried out to promote resource efficiency through environmentally sound recycling or recovery operations; • Take steps to help formalize the role of the informal sector in waste-resource management at the national level; • Encourage public-private partnerships to enhance informal sector’s efficiency in resource recovery; • Ensure that resource management at the national level explicitly factors in inputs from waste flows – both in terms of materials and energy

11. Possibleapproaches Ensure Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) in move towards zero waste: establish standards on ESM • Develop certification scheme(s) to an ESM standard relating to facilities, waste/resource streams, waste management systems, processing techniques • Universal application: provide a level playing field • Use existing Basel mechanisms for review, monitoring and evaluation

12. Partnerships under the Basel Convention The Conference of the Parties in 2002 established a Partnership Programme involving governments, industry and NGOs Mobile Phone Partnership Initiative (MPPI, 2002) Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (PACE, 2008) Future Partnerships to follow? A partnership approach is also used in some capacity building activities under the Convention

13. Partnership for Action on Computer Equipment (PACE) Currently most important globalmulti-stakeholder partnership in the area of e-wastes Composed of Governments, Basel Convention Regional Centres, academic institutions, UN Organizations, computer manufacturers and other companies, industry associations, NGOs (over 60 members) Organized by project groups Activities: development of practical guidelines, pilot projects and awareness raising on all aspects of management of end-of life computing equipment

14. Possible roles of partnerships involving all levels of authorities 1. Prevention of illegal trade in wastes through partnerships and networks at all levels: At national level, between environmental inspectorates, local authorities, customs and police is important because each has specific competences and roles within the administrative system; At regional level via Basel Convention Regional Centres, IMPEL TFS, Asian Network etc.; At international level via INECE, World Customs Organisation, Interpol, etc.

15. Possible roles of partnerships involving all levels of authorities 2.Building capacity at all levels: Specifying and quantifying clearly the needs for capacity building of different countries at all levels, in accordance with their individual level of development. The Basel Convention Regional Centres might take the lead in this; Securing resources through political engagement with other processes; Securing funds, e.g. through fees for certification, financial instruments; Promote and realize technology transfer

16. Possible roles of partnerships involving all levels of authorities 3. Establishing Standards on Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) Streamline and harmonize ESM practices as they relate to facilities, waste streams, waste management systems at all levels, and to national legislation. Empower local authorities to enforce ESM practices within their jurisdictions

17. Conclusions • Hazardous wastes cannot be meaningfully addressed in isolation from the entire economic, social, health and other waste issues; • Need to strengthen measures applying to the entire waste cycle, moving mindset from “waste” to “resources”; • Basel Convention to be seen as an instrument taking a holistic view of end-of-life materials: incorporate fundamental principles of sustainability and a life-cycle approach; • This approach could achieve significant economic benefits while protecting human health and the environment – a concrete contribution to a Green Economy!

18. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Secretariat of the Basel Convention International Environment House 15 Chemin des Anemones Chatelaine CH-1219 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND Website: www.basel.int E-mail: katharina.kummer@unep.org