- Minamata Convention on Mercury
- Objectives
- Scope
- Definitions
- General obligations
- Prevention and reduction of mercury emissions and releases
- Management and disposal of mercury-containing wastes
- Trade in mercury and mercury-containing products
- Capacity building and technical assistance
- Research and development
- Information exchange and public awareness
- Reporting
- Implementation and compliance
- Institutional arrangements
- Final provisions
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty that aims to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. It was adopted on 10 October 2013 and entered into force on 16 August 2017. The Convention has 128 parties as of 2023.
The Convention’s objectives are to:
- Protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury
- Minimise and, as far as feasible, eliminate releases of mercury and mercury compounds into the environment
- Minimise and, as far as feasible, reduce human exposure to mercury
- Promote the environmentally sound management of mercury and mercury-containing products
- Promote international cooperation and coordination on mercury issues
The Convention’s scope includes all aspects of the life cycle of mercury, from mining and extraction to production, use, trade, disposal, and release into the environment. It also covers mercury-containing products, such as batteries, fluorescent lamps, and dental amalgam.
The Convention defines mercury as “the chemical element with the atomic number 80”. It also defines a number of other terms, such as “emission”, “release”, “waste”, and “product”.
The Convention’s general obligations require parties to take all appropriate measures to implement its provisions. They must also cooperate with each other and with relevant international organizations to achieve the Convention’s objectives.
The Convention’s provisions on the prevention and reduction of mercury emissions and releases require parties to take measures to reduce or eliminate emissions and releases of mercury from a variety of sources, including industrial activities, mining and extraction, waste management, and products.
The Convention’s provisions on the management and disposal of mercury-containing wastes require parties to take measures to manage and dispose of mercury-containing wastes in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
The Convention’s provisions on trade in mercury and mercury-containing products require parties to take measures to regulate the trade in mercury and mercury-containing products in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
The Convention’s provisions on capacity building and technical assistance require parties to provide and receive capacity building and technical assistance to implement the Convention.
The Convention’s provisions on research and development require parties to promote and support research and development on mercury and its effects on human health and the environment.
The Convention’s provisions on information exchange and public awareness require parties to exchange information on mercury and its effects on human health and the environment, and to raise public awareness of the Convention and its objectives.
The Convention’s provisions on reporting require parties to report to the Convention’s Secretariat on their implementation of the Convention.
The Convention’s provisions on implementation and compliance require parties to take measures to implement the Convention and to comply with its provisions.
The Convention’s institutional arrangements include a Conference of the Parties, a Secretariat, and a Technical Working Group.
The Convention’s final provisions include provisions on signature, ratification, accession, entry into force, amendment, withdrawal, and depositary.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty that aims to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. It was adopted on 10 October 2013 and entered into force on 16 August 2017. The Convention has 128 parties as of 2023.
The Convention’s objectives are to:
- Protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury
- Minimise and, as far as feasible, eliminate releases of mercury and mercury compounds into the environment
- Minimise and, as far as feasible, reduce human exposure to mercury
- Promote the environmentally sound management of mercury and mercury-containing products
- Promote international cooperation and coordination on mercury issues
The Convention’s scope includes all aspects of the life cycle of mercury, from mining and extraction to production, use, trade, disposal, and release into the environment. It also covers mercury-containing products, such as batteries, fluorescent lamps, and dental amalgam.
The Convention defines mercury as “the chemical element with the atomic number 80”. It also defines a number of other terms, such as “emission”, “release”, “waste”, and “product”.
The Convention’s general obligations require parties to take all appropriate measures to implement its provisions. They must also cooperate with each other and with relevant international organizations to achieve the Convention’s objectives.
The Convention’s provisions on the prevention and reduction of mercury emissions and releases require parties to take measures to reduce or eliminate emissions and releases of mercury from a variety of sources, including industrial activities, mining and extraction, waste management, and products.
The Convention’s provisions on the management and disposal of mercury-containing wastes require parties to take measures to manage and dispose of mercury-containing wastes in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
The Convention’s provisions on trade in mercury and mercury-containing products require parties to take measures to regulate the trade in mercury and mercury-containing products in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
The Convention’s provisions on capacity building and technical assistance require parties to provide and receive capacity building and technical assistance to implement the Convention.
The Convention’s provisions on research and development require parties to promote and support research and development on mercury and its effects on human health and the environment.
The Convention’s provisions on information exchange and public awareness require parties to exchange information on mercury and its effects on human health and the environment, and to raise public awareness of the Convention and its objectives.
The Convention’s provisions on reporting require parties to report to the Convention’s Secretariat on their implementation of the Convention.
The Convention’s provisions on implementation and compliance require parties to take measures to implement the Convention and to comply with its provisions.
The Convention’s institutional arrangements include a Conference of the Parties, a Secretariat, and a Technical Working Group.
The Convention’s final provisions include provisions on signature, ratification, accession, entry into force, amendment, withdrawal, and depositary.
The Minamata Convention is a significant step forward in the global effort to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. It is the first global treaty to address the full life cycle of mercury, from mining and extraction to production, use, trade, disposal, and release into the environment. The Convention is also the first global treaty to address the specific health and environmental impacts of mercury, including its effects on the brain, nervous system, and reproductive system.
The Minamata Convention is a legally binding instrument that will require parties to take concrete measures to reduce and eliminate mercury emissions and releases, manage and dispose of mercury-containing wastes, and regulate the trade in mercury and mercury-containing products. The Convention will also provide a framework for international cooperation and coordination on mercury issues.
The Minamata Convention is a landmark achievement that will have a positive impact on human health and the environment around the world. It is a testament to the global community’s commitment to protecting our planet and its people.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Minamata Convention on Mercury
What is the Minamata Convention on Mercury?
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty that aims to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. It was adopted on 10 October 2013 and entered into force on 16 August 2017. The Convention has 128 parties as of 2023.
What are the objectives of the Minamata Convention on Mercury?
The Convention’s objectives are to:
- Protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury
- Minimise and, as far as feasible, eliminate releases of mercury and mercury compounds into the environment
- Minimise and, as far as feasible, reduce human exposure to mercury
- Promote the environmentally sound management of mercury and mercury-containing products
- Promote international cooperation and coordination on mercury issues
What is the scope of the Minamata Convention on Mercury?
The Convention’s scope includes all aspects of the life cycle of mercury, from mining and extraction to production, use, trade, disposal, and release into the environment. It also covers mercury-containing products, such as batteries, fluorescent lamps, and dental amalgam.
What are the definitions in the Minamata Convention on Mercury?
The Convention defines mercury as “the chemical element with the atomic number 80”. It also defines a number of other terms, such as “emission”, “release”, “waste”, and “product”.
What are the general obligations of the Minamata Convention on Mercury?
The Convention’s general obligations require parties to take all appropriate measures to implement its provisions. They must also cooperate with each other and with relevant international organizations to achieve the Convention’s objectives.
What are the provisions of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on the prevention and reduction of mercury emissions and releases?
The Convention’s provisions on the prevention and reduction of mercury emissions and releases require parties to take measures to reduce or eliminate emissions and releases of mercury from a variety of sources, including industrial activities, mining and extraction, waste management, and products.
What are the provisions of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on the management and disposal of mercury-containing wastes?
The Convention’s provisions on the management and disposal of mercury-containing wastes require parties to take measures to manage and dispose of mercury-containing wastes in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
What are the provisions of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on trade in mercury and mercury-containing products?
The Convention’s provisions on trade in mercury and mercury-containing products require parties to take measures to regulate the trade in mercury and mercury-containing products in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
What are the provisions of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on capacity building and technical assistance?
The Convention’s provisions on capacity building and technical assistance require parties to provide and receive capacity building and technical assistance to implement the Convention.
What are the provisions of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on research and development?
The Convention’s provisions on research and development require parties to promote and support research and development on mercury and its effects on human health and the environment.
What are the provisions of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on information exchange and public awareness?
The Convention’s provisions on information exchange and public awareness require parties to exchange information on mercury and its effects on human health and the environment, and to raise public awareness of the Convention and its objectives.
What are the provisions of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on reporting?
The Convention’s provisions on reporting require parties to report to the Convention’s Secretariat on their implementation of the Convention.
What are the provisions of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on implementation and compliance?
The Convention’s provisions on implementation and compliance require parties to take measures to implement the Convention and to comply with its provisions.
What are the institutional arrangements of the Minamata Convention on Mercury?
The Convention’s institutional arrangements include a Conference of the Parties, a Secretariat, and a Technical Working Group.
What are the final provisions of the Minamata Convention on Mercury?
The Convention’s final provisions include provisions on signature, ratification, accession, entry into force, amendment, withdrawal, and depositary.
Question 1
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty that aims to:
(A) Protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury.
(B) Minimise and, as far as feasible, eliminate releases of mercury and mercury compounds into the environment.
(C) Minimise and, as far as feasible, reduce human exposure to mercury.
(D) Promote the environmentally sound management of mercury and mercury-containing products.
(E) All of the above.
Answer
(E) All of the above.
Question 2
The Convention’s scope includes all aspects of the life cycle of mercury, from:
(A) Mining and extraction to production, use, trade, disposal, and release into the environment.
(B) Mining and extraction to production, use, trade, disposal, and release into the environment, and mercury-containing products.
(C) Mining and extraction to production, use, trade, disposal, and release into the environment, and mercury-containing products, and mercury mining and extraction.
(D) Mining and extraction to production, use, trade, disposal, and release into the environment, and mercury-containing products, and mercury mining and extraction, and mercury use.
(E) Mining and extraction to production, use, trade, disposal, and release into the environment, and mercury-containing products, and mercury mining and extraction, and mercury use, and mercury trade.
Answer
(A) Mining and extraction to production, use, trade, disposal, and release into the environment.
Question 3
The Convention defines mercury as:
(A) The chemical element with the atomic number 80.
(B) The chemical element with the atomic number 80, and its compounds.
(C) The chemical element with the atomic number 80, and its compounds, and mercury-containing products.
(D) The chemical element with the atomic number 80, and its compounds, and mercury-containing products, and mercury mining and extraction.
(E) The chemical element with the atomic number 80, and its compounds, and mercury-containing products, and mercury mining and extraction, and mercury use.
Answer
(A) The chemical element with the atomic number 80.
Question 4
The Convention’s general obligations require parties to take all appropriate measures to implement its provisions. They must also cooperate with each other and with relevant international organizations to achieve the Convention’s objectives.
(A) True.
(B) False.
Answer
(A) True.
Question 5
The Convention’s provisions on the prevention and reduction of mercury emissions and releases require parties to take measures to reduce or eliminate emissions and releases of mercury from a variety of sources, including industrial activities, mining and extraction, waste management, and products.
(A) True.
(B) False.
Answer
(A) True.
Question 6
The Convention’s provisions on the management and disposal of mercury-containing wastes require parties to take measures to manage and dispose of mercury-containing wastes in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
(A) True.
(B) False.
Answer
(A) True.
Question 7
The Convention’s provisions on trade in mercury and mercury-containing products require parties to take measures to regulate the trade in mercury and mercury-containing products in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
(A) True.
(B) False.
Answer
(A) True.
Question 8
The Convention’s provisions on capacity building and technical assistance require parties to provide and receive capacity building and technical assistance to implement the Convention.
(A) True.
(B) False.
Answer
(A) True.
Question 9
The Convention’s provisions on research and development require parties to promote and support research and development on mercury and its effects on human health and the environment.
(A) True.
(B) False.
Answer
(A) True.
Question 10
The Convention’s provisions on information exchange and public awareness require parties to exchange information on mercury and its effects on human health and the environment, and to raise public awareness of the Convention and its objectives.
(A) True.
(B) False.
Answer
(A) True.