Question

Which international agreement aims to control the transboundary transit of hazardous wastes and their disposal?

• A. Rotterdam Convention
• B. Basel Convention
• C. Minamata Convention
• D. Stockholm Convention

Hint:

• The Basel Convention is the primary international treaty regulating the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and their disposal.
• It aims to minimize hazardous waste generation and ensure their environmentally sound management.
• It employs a Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure for waste shipments.
• Rotterdam Convention: Trade in hazardous chemicals/pesticides.
• Minamata Convention: Mercury.
• Stockholm Convention: Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The international agreement that specifically addresses the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their environmentally sound management and disposal is the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal.

• Basel Convention (1989, effective 1992) (option b): Its main objectives are:
  • To reduce the generation of hazardous wastes.
  • To promote the environmentally sound management (ESM) of hazardous wastes, wherever the place of disposal.
  • To restrict and control transboundary movements of hazardous wastes, ensuring they are minimized and conducted in a manner that protects human health and the environment. It established a "prior informed consent" (PIC) procedure for such movements.

Let's look at other options:

• Rotterdam Convention (on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade) (option a): Aims to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals to protect human health and the environment. It facilitates information exchange about their characteristics and establishes a PIC procedure for their import. It deals with trade in specific chemicals, not primarily the movement of bulk hazardous wastes.
• Minamata Convention on Mercury (option c): A global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. It addresses the entire life cycle of mercury, including controls and reductions across a range of products, processes, and industries.
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (option d): Aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Therefore, the Basel Convention is the correct agreement for controlling the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous wastes. \[ \boxed{\text{Basel Convention}} \]