Are you sure you want to print? Save the planet. Opt not to print.
United Nations Environment Programme

Marine and Land-based Pollution

Our Work

The Regional Seas Programme leads efforts to address pollution from both land-based and marine-based sources including plastic pollution, integrating science, policy, and partnerships to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable development. From tackling agricultural runoff and industrial waste to combating ocean dumping and oil spills, the Programme is working with global and regional partners to reduce pollution's impact on oceans, coasts, and communities.

Introduction

Marine pollution, originating from both land and sea, poses one of the greatest threats to the health of the world’s oceans. This pollution can take many forms, including plastic pollution, agricultural runoff, industrial and municipal waste, marine litter, and oil spills, each with significant implications for marine biodiversity, human health, and economic activities. Through its Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans (RSCAPs), Regional Seas Programme plays a leading role in addressing the sources and impacts of marine pollution including plastic pollution, promoting sustainable management practices, and fostering international cooperation for cleaner oceans. 

Why It Matters

Pollution from land-based sources, such as agricultural runoff, plastic waste, and industrial discharges, accounts for approximately 80% of marine pollution. These pollutants contaminate coastal ecosystems, harm marine life, and threaten human livelihoods, particularly in vulnerable coastal communities. Marine-based pollution, including oil spills, ocean dumping, and emissions from shipping activities, further exacerbates the degradation of marine environments. Without immediate and coordinated global action, the growing volume of pollutants entering the ocean will continue to undermine efforts to conserve biodiversity and combat climate change. 

What We Do

The Regional Seas Programme, collaborates with member states to implement region-specific strategies that combat both land- and sea-based sources of pollution.  The Conventions and protocols cover marine pollution from the coast, watercourses and through the atmosphere. They vary from each other in relation to coverage of offshore installations and waste disposal under the seabed accessed by tunnel or pipeline.  They also adopt regulation of land-based sources of marine pollution. Release into the marine environment of “blacklisted” substances is prohibited. Most of the conventions blacklist heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury, persistent organic compounds such as organohalogens and organochlorines and radioactive substances. 

Marine litter and microplastics

The June 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) launched the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML) in response to the global problem of marine litter. Regional Sea Programmes participate in GPML and 11 regional seas have Regional Marine Litter Action Plans. The action plans offer policy, regulatory and technical measures and obligations for waste management, sustainable consumption and production, monitoring and enforcement of national legislation, as well as partnership and coordination among all actors. Marine litter including plastic pollution remains a transboundary issue that require action at national, regional and global level. Regional Seas Programmes foster partnerships and coordinate actions to address the land-based sources of marine pollution including plastics. (Move to pollution as an area of work) 

Selected examples to exemplify the Regional Seas work with regards to ocean governance 

  • Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention): The Land-Based Sources Protocol addresses the prevention and reduction of pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and municipal discharges. The Offshore Protocol focuses on minimizing pollution from oil and gas exploration and exploitation. 
  • PERSGA: The "Protocol Concerning Regional Cooperation in Combating Pollution by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency" was signed along with Jeddah Convention in 1982. The Convention, the Action Plan and the Protocol entered into force in August 1985. 
  • Western Indian Ocean (Nairobi Convention): This region’s LBSA Protocol specifically targets pollution from land-based sources such as agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and urban pollution. The Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (WIO-RAPMaLi) promotes the reduction of marine debris through policies and legal frameworks. 
  • Wider Caribbean (Cartagena Convention): This region focuses on tackling land-based pollution through the LBS Protocol, addressing pollutants such as sewage, chemicals, and agricultural runoff. The Oil Spill Protocol establishes guidelines for responding to marine pollution incidents from oil spills. 
  • East Asian Sea (COBSEA Secretariat): COBSEA’s Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI) and the newly launched nutrients reduction strategy (RENEWSEAS) aim to reduce sea-based and land-based pollution from agriculture, aquaculture, and municipal sources. 
  • Baltic Sea (Helsinki Convention): The Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) tackles nutrient pollution, marine litter, and hazardous substances from both land and sea-based sources. HELCOM has developed protocols to monitor nutrient discharges and prevent pollution from offshore drilling and maritime transport. 

Science, Policy, and Partnerships

UNEP's Regional Seas Programme is at the forefront of science-policy dialogues, advancing research, assessments, and monitoring efforts to combat marine pollution. Regional frameworks like the Global Programme of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities and UNEA resolutions guide the work of UNEP in fostering international partnerships and sharing best practices. UNEP promotes the adoption of new technologies to monitor and reduce pollution across all regions. 

Multilateral Environmental Agreements and Conventions: UNEP’s work on pollution is aligned with several key international agreements, including: 

UNEA Resolutions on Marine Litter and Microplastics: These resolutions support global efforts to reduce marine litter, with UNEP assisting in the development of national and regional marine litter action plans. 

  • The Global Programme of Action (GPA): Aimed at preventing marine degradation from land-based activities, the GPA is the only global initiative addressing the connection between terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. 
  • MARPOL Convention: This international agreement focuses on preventing pollution from ships, covering oil spills, chemical discharges, and garbage disposal. 
  • The London Convention: Targets the prevention of marine pollution by regulating ocean dumping of wastes and other matter. 

A summary of marine and land-based management measures by Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans

  • Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)

    One of SPREP priorities is Waste Management and Pollution Control - SPREP has the lead responsibility for regional coordination and delivery of waste management and pollution control action and uses the strategic management framework, Cleaner Pacific 2025, in guiding regional cooperation and collaboration.   

    SPREP has lead responsibility for regional coordination and delivery of waste management and pollution control action and uses the strategic management framework, Cleaner Pacific 2025, in guiding regional cooperation and collaboration. SPREP promotes evidence-based strategic planning within countries to develop strategies that address emerging priorities and opportunities in locally appropriate ways. This is all contained in its Strategic Plan 2017–2026 which priorities climate change resilience; ecosystem and  biodiversity protection; waste management and pollution control; as well as environmental governance   

    In assisting Pacific Island countries and territories to build capacity to implement waste, chemicals, and pollutants programmes, SPREP continues to focus on in-country human resource support, technical cooperation, and a learn-by-doing approach for longer-term self-sufficiency.   

    · Protocol for the Prevention of Pollution of the South Pacific Region by Dumping (Dumping Protocol of the Noumea Convention) 1986  

    · Protocol concerning Co-operation in Combating Pollution Emergencies in the South Pacific Region (Emergencies Protocol of the Noumea Convention) 1986  

    · Convention to Ban the Importation into Forum Island Countries of Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes and to Control the Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within the South Pacific Region (Waigani Convention) 1995  

    - Pacific Regional Action Plan: Marine Litter 2018-2025 - Sets out the policy context and key actions to minimise marine litter across the Pacific Island Countries and Territories. The scope of the Action Plan is intentionally focused on the Pacific Island Countries and Territories.   

  • Nairobi Convention

    The Nairobi Convention Protocol (Amended) for the protection, management and development of the coastal and marine environment of the Western Indian Ocean aims to address the accelerating degradation of the world’s oceans and coastal areas through the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment. Its provisions mandate the contracting parties to take appropriate measures to prevent, reduce, and combat pollution of the Convention areas from pollution caused ships, dumping, land-based sources and activities, seabed activities, and pollution resulting from transboundary movement of the hazardous wastes.   

    Protocol for protection of the marine and coastal environment of the western Indian ocean from Land – Based Sources and Activities (LBSA Protocol)LBSA Protocol)   

    The ProtocolThe Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Combating Marine Pollution in cases of Emergency in Eastern African region applies to marine incidents which have resulted in or pose a significant threat if, pollution to the marine an coastal environment which adversely affects the related interests of one or more of the Contracting Parties.   

    Additionally, the ACP MEAs programAdditionally, the ACP MEAs program aims to reduce influx of waste from entering the marine environment by supporting the Contracting parties to develop Marine Litter Management Strategies and Action Plans as well as improving international environmental governance and better management of coasts and oceans.   

    Western Indian Ocean Regional Action Plan On Marine Litter (WIO-RAPMaLi) - Western Indian Ocean Regional Action Plan On Marine Litter (WIO-RAPMaLi) -    

    • The plan is aimed at: setting standards for contracting parties on the agreed commitments into action for improvement of the quality of marine and coastal environment; supporting future implementation of the LBSA Protocol; and supporting achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14, especially target 14.1 that seeks to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds by 2025, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. The proposed actions focus on five broad areas: Institutions and Stakeholders’ Engagement; Policy and Legal Frameworks; Operations for Removal and Prevention of Marine litter; Education and Outreach; and Monitoring, Research and Reporting advocating exchange and sharing of experiences, lessons and best practices in managing marine litter.   
  • Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP)

    NOWPAP Regional Oil and HNS Spill Contingency Plan (RCP) - The NOWPAP Marine Environmental Emergency Preparedness and Response Region Activity Centre (MERRAC)NOWPAP Regional Oil and HNS Spill Contingency Plan (RCP) - The NOWPAP Marine Environmental Emergency Preparedness and Response Region Activity Centre (MERRAC) established jointly by UNEP and the International Maritime Organization (IMO)the International Maritime Organization (IMO) supports Member States in building capacity and coordinating preparedness and response to oil and hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) spills and implementing the NOWPAP Regional Oil and HNS Spill Contingency Plan (RCP).NOWPAP Regional Oil and HNS Spill Contingency Plan (RCP). The latter enables a member state to request assistance from other countries in the event of a major spill incident. The NOWPAP Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan was adopted in 2003. The Plan was amended to cover the hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) in 2008.   

    One of the 2018-2023 NOWPAP Medium-term StrategyOne of the 2018-2023 NOWPAP Medium-term Strategy core areas of work is developing and adopting effective measures for mutual support in marine pollution emergencies and in mitigating coastal and marine pollution. 2030 Impact: SDG 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.   

    Achievements   

    § The NOWPAP Special Monitoring and Coastal Environmental Assessment Regional Activity CentreCoastal Environmental Assessment Regional Activity Centre (CEARAC) published “National Actions on Marine Microplastics in the NOWPAP Region” in 2020. CEARAC is involved in the development of assessment and planning tools, including monitoring of biological effects of pollutants, use of remote sensing for monitoring purposes and use of new monitoring techniques.   

    § Guidelines on the assessment of oil spill response capability in the NOWPAP region developed in 2019   

    § The regional node of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML) was upgraded in 2019.   

    § The “Integrated Coastal Planning and Ecosystem-Based Management in the Northwest Pacific Region ” report was published NOWPAP Pollution Monitoring Regional Activity Center (POMRAC) in 2015.Pollution Monitoring Regional Activity Center (POMRAC) in 2015. The Centre coordinates NOWPAP activities related to the development of Ecological Quality Objectives and indicators and produces regular State of the Marine and Coastal Environment Reports. Recently, POMRAC activities started addressing marine litter issues, including the assessment of microplastics inputs with river discharge in the NOWPAP region.   

  • Helsinki Commission (HELCOM)

    The Helsinki Convention seeks to protect the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution from land, air and sea, as well as to preserve biological diversity and to promote the sustainable use of marine resources. It aims to address the increasing environmental challenges from industrialisation and other human activities that were having a severe impact on the marine environment.     

    An Action Plan has been developed with an aim of and vision of reaching a good environmental Status. The Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), adopted by the HELCOM Contracting Parties in 2007 and updatedThe Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), adopted by the HELCOM Contracting Parties in 2007 and updated in 2021, is HELCOM’s strategic programme of measures and actions for achieving good environmental status of the sea, ultimately leading to a Baltic Sea in a healthy state. Since its adoption, the BSAP has resulted in a number of environmental improvements such as a reduction in nutrient inputs to the sea, a better state of biodiversity and a decrease in maritime incidents and spills. The BSAP provides a concrete basis for HELCOM work. It incorporates the latest scientific knowledge and innovative management approaches into strategic policy implementation and stimulates goal-oriented multilateral cooperation around the Baltic Sea region.   

    Areas of work that encompass pollution include:   

    • Industrial & Municipal Releases - Industry remains one of the main sources of contamination in the Baltic Sea, contributing through discharges into water bodies and emissions into the air. These discharges subsequently reach the Baltic Sea via riverine inputs, direct discharges, or airborne deposition.   
    • Marine Litter & Underwater Noise - HELCOM continues to address b oth long-known and emerging areas with potentially harmful impact on the marine environment.   

      In 2001 the HELCOM Copenhagen Declaration was signed to ensure the safety of navigation and swift national and trans-national response to maritime pollution incidents   

    • The Baltic Sea cooperation on pollution preparedness and response under HELCOM has been in place since 1977 when the “Expert Group on Oil Combatting” was established under the HELCOM Interim Commission (1974-1980). Today this group is called the HELCOM Response Working Group and consists of the competent pollution response authorities of all the Baltic Sea countries, usually the national coastguard or navy.    
  • Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) - Barcelona Convention

    The Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution (Barcelona Convention) was adopted on 16 February 1976 in Barcelona and entered into force in 1978.  

    The Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention agree to individually or jointly take all appropriate measures in accordance with the provisions of the Convention and the Protocols in force to which they are party to prevent, abate, combat and to the fullest possible extent eliminate pollution of the Mediterranean Sea Area and to protect and enhance the marine environment in that Area so as to contribute towards its sustainable development. They cooperate in the formulation and adoption of Protocols, prescribing agreed measures, procedures, and standards for the implementation of this Convention.  

    The Barcelona Convention and its seven ProtocolsConvention has adopted in the frameworka number of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) constitute the principal regional legally binding Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEA) in the Mediterranean. Five of the Protocols  specifically address prevention of andProtocols that promote protection against pollution of the Mediterranean Sea.    

    This includes.  

    • Dumping Protocol: The Protocol for the Prevention of Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Dumping from Ships and Aircraft, was adopted in 1976 and entered into force in 1978. In 1995, the Dumping Protocol was amended, and renamed Protocol for the Prevention and Elimination of Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Dumping from Ships and Aircraft or Incineration at the Sea. The amendments to the Dumping Protocol have not yet entered into force. Its objective is for Contracting Parties to take all appropriate measures to prevent, abate and eliminate to the fullest extent possible pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by dumping of wastes or other matter.  
    • Prevention and Emergency Protocol: The Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Oil and other Harmful Substances in Case of Emergency which was adopted in 1976 and entered into force in 1978. The Protocol was replaced by the Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Preventing Pollution from Ships and, in Cases of Emergency, Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea, which was adopted in 2002 and entered into force in 2004.  
    • Land-Based Sources Protocol: The Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution from Land-Based Sources, was adopted in 1980 and entered into force in 1983. In 1996, the LBS Protocol was amended and renamed Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities. The amendments to the LBS Protocol entered into force in 2008. The objective of the LBS Protocol is to take all appropriate measures to prevent, abate and eliminate to the fullest extent possible pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by from land-based sources and activities, by the reduction and phasing out of substances that are toxic, persistent and liable to bioaccumulate listed in the Protocol.  
    • Offshore Protocol: The Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution Resulting from the Exploration and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf and the Seabed and its Subsoil was adopted in 1994 and entered into force in 2011. The Offshore Protocol addresses all aspects of offshore oil and gas activities in the Mediterranean and includes measures to reduce pollution from all phases of offshore activities, to respond to offshore pollution incidents and concerning liability and compensation.  
    • Hazardous Wastes Protocol: The Protocol on the Prevention of Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was adopted in 1996 and is in forced since 2008. The overall objective of the Hazardous Waste Protocol is to protect human health and the marine environment against the adverse effects of hazardous wastes. The provisions of the Protocol address the following principal aims: the reduction and, where possible, the elimination of hazardous wastes generation; the reduction of the amount of hazardous wastes subject to transboundary movement; and a regulatory system applying to cases where transboundary movements are permissible.  
  • Cartagena Convention

    Focusing in the Caribbean area, the Contracting Parties adopted an Action Plan in 1981 that led to the adoption of the Cartagena Convention.  It promotes the protection and development of the marine environment of the Region and provides the legal framework for the Caribbean Environment Programme.

    Harmonized Regional Ballast Water Management Guidelines for the countries of the Wider Caribbean Region.     

    Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee of the LBS Protocol – established in accordance with Article XIV of the LBS Protocol to report to and advise Contracting Parties regarding the implementation of the Protocol. This includes, inter alia, providing guidance on actions and methodologies to address pollution loads in the Convention area and proposing priority measures for scientific and technical research and the management of pollution from land-based sources and activities. Each Contracting Party may appoint an expert as its representative, who may be accompanied by other designated advisors.   

    Oil Spills Steering Committee - established in accordance with Article 9 of the Oil Spills Protocol which stipulates the institutional arrangements and functions of the Secretariat to help Contracting Parties through RAC REMPEITC-Caribe and in close collaboration with the International Maritime Organization. These meetings serve as a forum to discuss, inter alia, the biennial work plan of RAC REMPEITIC, agree on priorities for the region, as well as to adopt other important decisions related to the Protocol.     

    Other areas   

    • Development of Caribbean Regional Node for Marine Litter (GPML-CaribeGPML-Caribe) Management co-hosted by the Cartagena Convention Secretariat and the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute.   
    • Regional platforms established to support improved management of priority pollutants: nutrients, wastewater and marine litter.   
    • Launch and implementation of Caribbean Clean Seas Campaign on Marine Litter and Plastics.   
  • Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA)

    The "Protocol Concerning Regional Cooperation in Combating Pollution by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency" was signed along with Jeddah Convention in 1982. The Convention, the Action Plan and the Protocol entered into force in August 1985.   

    PERSGA has made effective efforts and implemented activities to reduce impacts of litter on the marine environment in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region. Many of these activities have been undertaken in cooperation with PERSGA member countries and with support of UNE within the framework of the Regional Marine Litter Program.  PERGSA is achieving the objectives of the Program through implementation of the following main activities:   

    § Assessing marine litter in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region;     

    § Regional Action Plan for the Sustainable Management of Marine Litter in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, June 2018: - provide a road-map to sustainably manage marine litter in the PERSGA region. More specifically, it lists practical actions that if enacted will greatly reduce the amount of litter entering the marine environment and to remove litter when it has.   

    § Upgrade of the EMARSGA Center regional information system and pollution spill modeling functions to support response     

    § Conducting a regional monitoring program in the region;   

    § Organizing and holding:   

    · Regional and national meetings/training workshops on marine litter management;   

    · National and local awareness-raising workshops on marine litter impacts;   

    · National training workshops on marine litter management.   

    § Developing:   

    · Regional and national actions plans for marine litter management;   

    · Awareness- raising programs on marine litter effects;   

    · Manuals/Guidelines for assessment of marine litter; and   

    · Guidelines to prepare national actions plan on marine litter.   

    · Undertaking beach and underwater clean-up campaigns; and   

    · Producing communication/awareness materials on marine litter.    

  • Tehran Convention

    The Tehran Convention serves as an umbrella legal instrument which does not only aim at protecting the Caspian environment from all sources of pollution, but also targets the preservation, restoration and protection of the Caspian Sea species and habitats. To reach these objectives, it applies internationally acknowledged environmental principles including the precautionary principle, the polluter pays principle and the principle of access to information.   

    Four ancillary Protocols to the Convention have been developed, covering priority areas of concern namely the: 1) Protocol on the Conservation of Biological Diversity, 2) Protocol on the Protection of the Caspian Sea against Pollution from Land based Sources and Activities (Moscow Protocol), 3) Protocol concerning Regional Preparedness, Response and Co-operation in Combating Oil Pollution Incidents (Aktau Protocol), and 4) Protocol on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context.   

    Ongoing projects.  

    • Supporting the implementation of the Aktau Protocol by holding exercise to enhance the regional preparedness, response and co-operation in combating Oil pollution incidents     
    • Assisting countries to combat Marine litter in the Caspian Sea region   
  • Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA)

    Marine pollution prevention, reduction, and control from both land-based and sea-based sources is one of the three thematic programmes of the COBSEA Strategic Directions 2023-2027. Currently, COBSEA’s marine pollution initiatives focus on two key areas: Marine Litter, and Nutrients and Wastewater Pollution.    

    Marine litter: COBSEA adopted the revised 2019 Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI), in line with the Regional Seas Strategic Directions 2022-2025, United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolutions on marine litter and microplastics, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It guides collective action in the East Asian Seas to (1) reduce and prevent marine litter from land-based sources, (2) and from sea-based sources, (3) strengthen monitoring and assessment, and (4) create enabling conditions for action, including knowledge-sharing, research, outreach, and regional coordination. Key activities for achieving the objectives of RAP MALI include:  

    The East Asian Seas Regional Node of the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) web platform acts as a regional knowledge and networking hub for plastic pollution policies, good practices, and capacity-building. The web platform of the Regional Node, linked to the Global Digital Platform, provides access to technical resources, plans, a map of good practices, learning tools and courses, and the regional plastic pollution research data with over 700 peer-reviewed publications.   

    Regional Guidance on Harmonized National Marine Litter Monitoring Programmes  was developed in partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) to provide practical guidance to address monitoring needs and capacities in the region and apply global guidelines on monitoring methodologies. Regional Guidance builds on an inventory of existing monitoring efforts and capacities in COBSEA participating countries and provides targeted recommendations for monitoring methods, data standards and core objectives to strengthen national monitoring programmes.     
        

    Nutrients Pollution: The regional nutrients reduction strategy and action plan, called ‘“Reducing Nutrient Excess in the Watersheds and Seas of East Asia” (RENEWSEAS), was adopted by COBSEA in 2024. RENEWSEAS is target-orientated, aiming to reduce marine contaminants and nutrient waste from agriculture, aquaculture, and tourism sources. Key activities include:   
      

    “Seeding a Nutrient Pollution Reduction Strategy for the coastal waters of Thailand” is a national project developed with the Thailand Pollution Control Department (PCD) as part of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Clean and Healthy Oceans Integrated Programme (CHO IP). Commencing in 2025,  the project focuses on nature-based solutions, improving strategic national policy, and improving the monitoring and data analysis of nutrient pollution.  
     

  • Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (the 'OSPAR Convention')

    OSPAR Convention provides that the Contracting Parties shall take, individually and jointly, all possible steps to prevent and eliminate pollution from land-based sources. Additionally, Oslo Convention provides guidance against dumping and was broadened to cover land-based sources of marine pollution and the offshore industry by the Paris Convention in 1974. The  North East Atlantic Environment Strategy (2030).    

    The Convention and its legal instruments   

    Contained within the OSPAR Convention are a series of Annexes which deal with the following specific areas:   

    · Annex I: Prevention and elimination of pollution from land-based sources;   

    · Annex II: Prevention and elimination of pollution by dumping or incineration;   

    · Annex III: Prevention and elimination of pollution from offshore sources;   

  • Abidjan Convention

    The Abidjan Convention provides an important framework through which national policy makers and resource managers implement national control measures in the protection and development of the marine and coastal environment of the WACAF Region (West and Central African Region). The two key action plans: The Action Plan for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas (1980) and The Protocol Concerning Co-operation in Combating Pollution in Cases of Emergency. The former protocol mandate the Contracting parties undertake and co-operate in all matters relating to the taking of necessary and effective measures to protect their respective coastlines and related interest from the threat and effects of pollution resulting from marine emergencies. The emergency protocol is complemented by the Malabo Protocol on Environmental Standards and Guidelines for Offshore Oil and Gas Activities   

    Grand Bassam Protocol on Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities. The objective of this Protocol is to prevent, reduce, mitigate and control pollution from land- based sources and activities on their territories or emanating from any other land-based source, including through the atmosphere, to protect and sustain the marine and coastal environment of the Protocol area.   

    In 2022, countries of the Abidjan Convention region adopt a joint declaration on the global treaty against plastic pollution. This happened during the 18th session of the AMCEN held in Dakar, Senegal. Mauritania, Guinea Bissau, the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo, States Parties to the Abidjan Convention, supported the declaration which aimed at engaging, strengthening and coordinating common efforts to actively support African negotiators throughout of the negotiation process. This was made with the support of the Abidjan Convention and Nairobi Convention’s Secretariat, WWF and Sustainable Seas Trust.   

Our Work

Topics

Related Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 14

Goal 14: Life Below Water
+
Learn about our work
Sign up for updates
Get involved
Fresh Water
Did you know?
Freshwater makes up only 2 per cent of all water.

© 2025 UNEP Terms of Use Privacy Report Project Concern Report Scam Contact Us