The World Summit in Johannesburg and Denmark's National Strategy for Sustainable Development

The World Summit in Johannesburg and Denmark's National Strategy for Sustainable Development

Environment and health

Some chemicals have undesirable impacts, such as carcinogenic effects, reproduction disorders,, mutagenic effects or effects on vulnerable ecosystems.The international regulation of hazardous substances is important when use of the most hazardous substances is to be limited or stopped.

In Johannesburg, one of the goals set was that before 2020, chemicals must be produced and used in such a way that does not have significant negative effects on human health and the environment

The Government has set the goal that by 2020 no products or goods should be on the market that contain chemicals having particularly problematic effects on health and the environment.

In order to achieve a high level of protection, the precautionary principle must form the basis for the efforts.The substitution principle is also important to achieve these goals.This means that harmful compounds, products, or processes that pose a risk are substituted by other less harmful compounds, products, or processes. However, this requires knowledge about the impacts on human health and the environment caused by the alternatives, and we often do not have this knowledge.

In June 2003, the Government presented its strategy for health and the environment. One of the objectives is to reduce the negative effects of chemicals.

During the Danish Presidency of the EU, Denmark emphasised realising an international follow-up to the goal for chemicals from Johannesburg. Denmark and a number of other countries are pushing forward the adoption of an ambitious and effective new chemicals strategy as well as legislation in the EU (REACH) that could give us the knowledge necessary to be able to act efficiently. Industry must be made responsible for showing that the production and use of chemicals takes place without harming the environment and human health. Denmark will strive to ensure that chemical substances cannot be marketed if basic knowledge has not been provided by the manufacturers within a certain time limit. Particularly problematic substances should only be used with special authorisation.

The Johannesburg Plan urges participants to ratify and implement international conventions on chemicals and hazardous waste in 2003 and 2004 respectively.The Johannesburg Plan urges participants to present a global chemicals strategy before 2005

The Danish government ratified the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2003 and is working on the ratification of the Rotterdam Convention on export and import of hazardous chemicals. Denmark is thus helping exert pressure on other countries to ratify so that the conventions may enter into force as soon as possible.

The Danish government supports the development of a global chemicals strategy. A targeted strategy is a prerequisite for being able to follow the work on realising the goal that in 2020 chemicals must be produced and used so that significant harmful effects on health and the environment are minimised.

Heavy metals do not degrade in nature and they accumulate in the food chain. Denmark is participating in the UN Environment Programme, UNEP, which is working to minimise mercury and other heavy metals globally. Denmark has implemented very extensive limitations on the use of mercury in products.The European Commission is preparing a new mercury strategy, which must be complete in 2004.This strategy will be a positive contribution to the UNEP GC meeting in 2005, at which future global efforts concerning mercury will be determined.

Denmark was a driving force behind the EU Directive concerning the limitation of cadmium in products, and Denmark is taking part in negotiations concerning the EU Directives regarding heavy metals in cars and in electrical/electronic products.

The Johannesburg Plan highlights that the ozone layer must be protected through supporting the developing countries in phasing out the use of ozone-depleting substances

The ozone layer protects us against harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which can cause cancer and may damage agriculture and fishing. Efforts to establish efficient protection of the ozone layer are regulated internationally via the Montreal Protocol.

During the Danish Presidency of the EU in 2002, it was decided that the wealthy countries should contribute the largest amount ever to the international fund supporting projects concerning phase-out of ozone-depleting substances in the developing countries. Denmark contributes more than DKK 11 million annually. Several of the substances that can be used as alternatives to ozone-depleting substances are strong greenhouse gases. Denmark is therefore also supporting increased cooperation between the Climate Convention and the Montreal Protocol.