29th Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (London Convention) and 2nd meeting of Contracting Parties to the 1996 Protocol thereto (London Protocol) (LC29/LP2): 5 - 9 November 2007

Parties to the international treaties which regulate the dumping of wastes and other matter at sea, say that planned operations for large-scale fertilization of the oceans using micro-nutrients - for example, iron - to sequester carbon dioxide (CO₂), are currently not justified.

The Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (London Convention) and to the 1996 Protocol thereto (London Protocol), meeting in London from 5 to 9 November, 2007 (LC29/LP2), considered a report from their scientific advisers and other submissions relating to fertilization of the oceans to sequester CO₂, using iron and other micro-nutrients.

Recognizing that it is within the purview of each State to consider proposals on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the London Convention and London Protocol (LC/LP, the meeting urged States to use the utmost caution when considering proposals for large-scale ocean fertilization operations. "The meeting takes the view that, given the present state of knowledge regarding ocean fertilization, such large-scale operations are currently not justified."

The meeting endorsed the "Statement of Concern" on large-scale fertilization agreed by the LC and LP Scientific Groups, in June 2007, which indicated that knowledge about the effectiveness and potential environmental impacts of ocean iron fertilization was currently insufficient to justify large-scale operations and that this could have negative impacts on the marine environment and human health. The meeting agreed that the consideration of ocean fertilization falls under the competences of the London Convention and Protocol, in particular, in relation to their objective to protect the marine environment from all sources. The meeting agreed to further study the issue from scientific and legal perspectives, with a view to its regulation.

Guidelines for assessment of CO2 capture and storage completed
In other work, the meeting completed Guidelines for assessment of CO₂ capture and storage in sub-seabed geological formations. These guidelines assist with the harmonized interpretation of the CO₂ capture and storage amendments which have been in force under the Protocol since 10 February 2007. The amendments regulate the sequestration of CO₂ streams from CO₂ capture processes in sub-seabed geological formations, for permanent isolation. It is likely that this option would apply to large point sources of CO₂ emissions, including power plants using fossil fuels, steel works and fuel processing plants.

Compliance procedures and mechanisms under the Protocol completed
The meeting completed compliance procedures and mechanisms aimed at assessing and promoting States' compliance with the 1996 Protocol. Practical arrangements have also been agreed for convening the first session of a Compliance Group, probably in 2009, the establishment of which was agreed by the meeting.

Completion of the Participants' Manual of Waste Assessment Guidance Tutorial
The meeting also completed the Participants' Manual of Waste Assessment Guidance Tutorial, which is aimed at demonstrating the general concepts of 8 guidelines developed under the London Convention and Protocol since 2000.

Artificial reefs
The meeting agreed to finalize guidelines for the placement of artificial reefs in 2008.

Dealing with spoilt cargo on ships
Good progress was made in developing advice to mariners on how to deal responsibly with spoilt cargoes on board ships. This work is being undertaken in collaboration with IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee and a final report will be submitted in late 2008.

London Convention and London Protocol
The London Convention was one of the first global conventions to protect the marine environment from human activities and has been in force since 1975. Its objective is to promote the effective control of all sources of marine pollution and to take all practicable steps to prevent pollution of the sea by dumping of wastes and other matter. The 1972 Convention permits dumping of wastes at sea, except for those materials on a banned list. Currently, 82 States are Parties to this Convention.In 1996, the "London Protocol" was adopted, to further modernize the 1972 Convention and, eventually, replace it. Under the Protocol, the precautionary approach is applied and all dumping is prohibited, except for possibly acceptable wastes on the so-called "reverse list". The Protocol entered into force on 24 March 2006 and there are currently 31 Parties to it.

Both the Convention and Protocol require Parties to issue permits for the dumping of wastes and other matter at sea.

Further information on the London Convention and Protocol can be found at http://www.londonconvention.org

Briefing 40, 16 November 2007