Report on Arctic Marine Pollution

Executive summary

This report comprises five chapters.

The first is a brief description of the background to the report and to the meeting scheduled for May 12, 1999 in connection with the meeting of the Working Group on Sea and Air. It appears that the Nordic Prime Ministers and the leaders of the three autonomous areas took the initiative to hold this meeting during the session of the Nordic Council in Oslo on November 9, 1998.

Chapter 2 outlines the mandate as interpreted by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. The mandate is limited to marine pollution only and excludes financial and resource-specific considerations, as well as biodiversity and fisheries concerns.

Chapter 3 describes the state of the Arctic environment based on AMAP's evaluations and groups of pollutants: POPs, heavy metals and radioactive material, as well as oil and PAHs.

Chapter 4 describes the existing conventions, agreements, etc. related to marine pollution. Please be advised that this chapter exists only in a Danish version.

Chapter 5 summarizes the ideas which might be promoted by the Nordic countries within the framework of the various conventions and agreements.

The report should be viewed as a catalogue of ideas which does not necessarily reflect Danish views. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests that supplementary proposals for future Nordic initiatives be submitted at the meeting.

The focus of the report is on a description of various global and regional conventions and agreements, and possible Nordic initiatives in these environmental fora.

The proposals are primarily political, based on well-known principles such as the Precautionary Principle, the Polluter Pays Principle, BAT/BEP, sustainable development, etc.

Implementation of most of the proposed Nordic initiatives outlined in Chapter 5 will require substantial resources and a policy stance. If endorsed, a number of these proposals will require amendment of existing international conventions and agreements or preparation of new international instruments. However, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency has found that any implementation and prioritization or rejection of the proposals should be undertaken by EK-M.

Against this background it is proposed that the Working Group on Sea and Air review the report and suggest any supplementary future Nordic initiatives. The report should then be submitted to EK-M for resolution.