Ecology-and-environment / Climate Change / Stockholm Convention
Stockholm Convention
- The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms and are toxic to humans and wildlife. POPs circulate globally and can cause damage wherever they travel. In implementing the Convention, Governments will take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment. Over 152 countries ratified the Convention and it entered into force, on 17 May 2004.
- The Stockholm Convention focuses on eliminating or reducing releases of POPs. It sets up a system for tackling additional chemicals identified as unacceptably hazardous. Ultimately, the Convention points the way to a future free of dangerous POPs and promises to reshape our economy’s reliance on toxic chemicals.
- The Stockholm Convention is perhaps best understood as having five essential aims:
- Eliminate dangerous POPs, starting with the 12 worst
- Support the transition to safer alternatives
- Target additional POPs for action
- Cleanup old stockpiles and equipment containing POPs
- Work together for a POPs-free future
- The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) is the designated interim financial mechanism for the Stockholm Convention.
