Committee to examine amendments to marine pollution protocol

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has commenced a new inquiry reviewing the 2009 and 2013 amendments to the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (London Protocol).

In launching the inquiry, Committee Chair, Tony Zappia MP said, "The London Protocol extends the London Convention, which was one of the first international conventions that aimed to protect the marine environment from human activities. The London Protocol contributes to the international control and prevention of marine pollution by prohibiting the dumping of any waste or other matter with limited exceptions that require a permit."

The London Protocol came into force for Australia in March 2006 and the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 gives effect to Australia’s international obligations in domestic law.

The two proposed amendments to the London Protocol have yet to be accepted by Australia. The 2009 amendments would allow the export of carbon dioxide streams for disposal by sub-seabed sequestration with a permit in certain circumstances. The 2013 amendments would prohibit the placement of matter into the sea for marine geoengineering activities, specifically ocean fertilisation, unless authorised by permit. A permit could only be issued for legitimate scientific research.

In adopting the new inquiry, the committee’s consideration of the proposed amendments will include the following terms of reference:  

• the environmental benefits and impacts of exporting and importing carbon dioxide streams for the purpose of sub-seabed sequestration;
• the environmental benefits and impacts of marine geoengineering activity, such as ocean fertilisation, for scientific research;
• the international market for carbon dioxide streams;
• the interaction of the proposed amendments with greenhouse gas inventories and the regulatory and reporting systems.

The committee is inviting submissions to the inquiry addressing any or all of the above terms of reference by March 10, 2023.

Further information about the Committee’s inquiry is available on its website.

 

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