Barcelona
Convention + MAP Coordinating Unit (MEDU)
The
Convention
for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal
Region of the Mediterranean ( Barcelona Convention) was
adopted in 1976, entered in force 1978, and was revised in Barcelona
in 1995. Activities
within the Convention are coordinated by the MAP Coordinating
Unit (MEDU). The
objective of the Convention is to achieve international co-operation
for a co-ordinated and comprehensive approach to the protection
and enhancement of the marine environment and the coastal region
of the Mediterranean area. Protocols to the Convention include:
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Protocol for the Prevention and Elimination of Pollution
of the Mediterranean Sea by Dumping from Ships and Aircraft
(Dumping
Protocol); adopted in 1976, in force in 1978, revised
in in 1995 as the Protocol for the Prevention and Elimination
of Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Dumping from
Ships and Aircraft or Incineration at Sea.
-
-
Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against
Pollution from Land-Based Sources (LBS
Protocol); adopted in 1980, in force in 1983, amended
in 1996 as the Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean
Sea against Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities.
-
The Protocol Concerning Mediterranean Specially Protected
Areas (SPA
Protocol); adopted in 1982, in force in 1986, revised
in 1995 as the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected
Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (SPA
and Biodiversity Protocol).
-
The
Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against
Pollution Resulting from Exploration and Exploitation
of the Continental Shelf and the Seabed and its Subsoil
(Offshore
Protocol); adopted in 1994.
-
The Protocol on the Prevention of Pollution of the Mediterranean
Sea by Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and
their Disposal (Hazardous
Wastes Protocol); adopted in 1996.
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Mediterranean
Action Plan (MAP) • MEDU
A
Mediterranean
Action Plan was adopted in 1975. Its legal framework
comprises the Barcelona Convention. The MAP tackles Mediterranean
environmental and sustainable development issues (a widening
of its remit in 1995) and has four key fields of activity: Curbing
pollution; Safeguarding natural and cultural resources; Managing
coastal areas; and Integrating the environment and devevlopment.
The
MAP Coordinating Unit (MEDU) was established to co-ordinate
activities within the framework of MAP, including the Barcelona
Convention. MEDU is the secretariat of the MAP and is responsible
for its implementation.
See
also a list
of MAP NGO
partners.
The
Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development (MCSD)
was set up in 1996 as an advisory body to MAP. The Programme
for the Assessment and Control of Pollution in the Mediterranean
Region (MED POL) represents a key tool to the reduction of
land-based pollution.
There
are six MAP Regional Activity Centres, each offering expertise
in specific fields of action:
- Blue
Plan Regional Activity Centre (BP/RAC)
- Priority
Actions Programme Regional Acitivity Centre (PAP/RAC)
- Specially
Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (SPA/RAC)
- Regional
Marine Pollution Emergency Responce Centre for the Mediterranean
Sea (REMPEC).
- Environment
Remote Sensing Regional Acitivity Centre (ERS/RAC)
- Cleaner
Production Regional Acitivity Centre (CP/RAC)
See
MAP Technical
Report Series:
-
MTS
50. UNEP: Bibliography on marine litter.
-
MTS
56. UNEP/IOC/FAO: Assessment of the state of pollution
of the Mediterranean Sea by persistent synthetic materials
which may float, sink or remain in suspension.
In
2000, the MED POL Secretariat started working on the issue
of solid litter management, and in particular with the launching
of a project covering the assessment of coastal and marine
solid litter. The project, assisted by data and information
collected from countries and other sources, contributed in
2001 to the implementation of the related activities foreseen
in the Mediterranean GEF Project which aim at formulating
regional action plans for the management of urban and industrial
waste. Although the activity launched by MED POL covers only
partly the issue of urban litter management (i.e. the coastal
and marine litter), the results of the project are expected
to cover a very important component of the issue. The formulation
and adoption of guidelines for environmentally sound and economically
feasible systems of solid waste collection and disposal guidelines
for environmentally sound and economically feasible systems
of solid waste collection and disposal, also incorporating
the principles of non-hazardous material recycling and reuse,
have been drafted with the assistance of Mediterranean experts.
An experts consultation meeting will convene to review and
approve the technical details of the draft guidelines prior
to submission to the Meeting of MED POL National Coordinators
for approval by 2003. The approved guidelines will then be
submitted to the Meeting of the Contracting Parties for formal
adoption. This activity will be supported by the Mediterranean
GEF Project, which includes the preparation and adoption of
guidelines for the disposal of urban solid waste under the
Regional Co-operative Actions.
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Mediterranean
Environmental Technical Assistance Program
Mediterranean
Environmental Technical Assistance Program (METAP) was established
in 1990 in response to the need for a unified approach to resolving
the complex environmental problems of the Mediterranean region.
METAP provides technical assistance to the Mediterranean countries
to address national priorities and work together towards a sustainable
future for the region. METAP includes a number of regional and
national solid waste and environmental management strategies
and projects.
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Short
and Medium-term Priority Environmental Action Programme
Short
and Medium-term Priority Environmental Action Programme (SMAP).
A framework programme of action for the protection of the Mediterranean
environment, within the context of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.
It was adopted unanimously by the 1997 Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial
Conference on the Environment. Priority fields include, e.g.,
integrated water management, integrated waste management, and
integrated coastal zone management. |
Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses
and International Lakes • UNECE
The
UN ECE (Economic Commission for Europe)
Convention
of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and
International Lakes (Water Convention) is intended to strengthen
national measures for the protection and ecologically sound
management of transboundary surface waters and groundwaters.
The Convention obliges Parties to prevent, control and reduce
water pollution from point and non-point sources. It also includes
provisions for monitoring, research and development, consultations,
warning and alarm systems, mutual assistance, institutional
arrangements, and the exchange and protection of information,
as well as public access to information. There is a Protocol
to the Convention on water
and health, and one on
civil liability.
Commission:
The primary goal of the UN
Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is to encourage
greater economic cooperation among its member States. It focuses
on economic analysis, environment and human settlements, statistics,
sustainable energy, trade, industry and enterprise development,
timber and transport. UNECE activities include policy analysis,
development of conventions, regulations and standards, and
technical assistance. It has 55 member States, and over 70
international professional organizations and other non-governmental
organizations take part in UNECE activities. The UNECE provides
the Secretariat for several environmental conventions, including
the Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary
Watercourses and International Lakes (see more on the UNECE
Environment
and Human Settlements Division).
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UNEP
Regional Office for Europe
UNEP's
Regional Office for Europe promotes intergovernmental policy
dialogue and regional cooperation, increases national capacity
for environmental management and response emergencies, raises
awareness and enhances information exchange, and translates
global policies into regional action. |
Hellenic
Marine Environment Protection Association
Established
in 1982, the Hellenic
Marine Environment Protection Association (Helmepa) the
joint initiative of the Greek seafarers and shipowners. It is
a commitment that members voluntarily undertake the responsibility
to eliminate ship-generated marine pollution and enhance safety
at sea. The objective is stated to be to "instill and nurture
environmental consciousness throughout the shipping industry
so as to compliment the requirements of the legislation for
pollution prevention and safety at sea". |
European
Sea Ports Organization
The
European Sea Ports
Organization (ESPO) aims at influencing public policy in
the European Union and to achieve a safe, efficient and environmentally
sustainable European port sector, operating as a key element
of a transport industry where free and undistorted market conditions
prevail, as far as practicable. According to ESPO, ports are
concerned about the environment. ESPO believes that maritime
transport is central to the issue of sustainable development
within Europe. The ports support measures to reduce marine pollution
and discourage dumping of waste at sea.
See the ESPO Waste
Management Plan For Ship Generated Waste. See also a compilation
(PDF file, 1.5 MB) of presentations and discussions at the
ESPO/IAPH
workshop on port reception facilities for ship-generated waste
and cargo residues (June 2001).
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European
Union for Coastal Conservation
In
the Mediterranean region, the European
Union for Coastal Conservation has national branches in
Albania, France, Italy and Spain. The project European Regions
for a Safe and Clean Coast (ERSCC) was carried out in 1995-1996
by the EUCC and several partner organizations. The project was
designed to promote cooperation and the exchange of information
amongst Local Authorities and other interests in preventing
coastal pollution and disasters. In the Action plan "European
Regions for a Safe and Clean Coast", there is a special
section on Marine
litter/debris. |
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Agreements