Environment and Health are Closely Related

Environment and Health are Closely Related

7 International cooperation

The relationship between environmental factors and health is also in focus in international cooperation. International cooperation is important to limit negative impacts from environmental factors, because problems are often the result of transboundary pollution and increasing global trade. Emissions of ozone-depleting substances is an example of a global problem that can only be solved through international cooperation. In the same way, trade in goods, which may contain chemical substances harmful to health, makes cooperation and coordination necessary.

Objectives and initiatives in the near future

Denmark will continue to work internationally to strengthen environmental work and improve health. This applies to work within the UN, the EU, and in bilateral environmental cooperation with Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Arctic. Danish initiatives in specific areas are described in the relevant section. Only a number of high priorities have been included.

The World Summit in Johannesburg in September 2002 set focus on a number of issues vital to sustainable development. At the Submit, the EU, with Denmark holding the Presidency, set priorities in areas with cross-disciplinary initiatives such as water and energy in connection with health, the environment, and combating poverty. The Johannesburg meeting also succeeded in a wording of the precautionary principle for the chemicals field to include health. For water and energy, the EU led the way in launching partnerships to ensure sustainable development in developing countries for these areas.

Denmark will also work to enhance global cooperation on hazardous chemicals in international decision fora with participation from countries throughout the world. Denmark was amongst the countries taking initiative for the UNEP decision to assess mercury. Furthermore, Denmark will work to create a global convention on all heavy metals, where mercury is just the first metal to be addressed. Denmark is also the Lead Country for efforts against mercury under the Arctic Council.

A Danish priority is to ensure that a number of conventions, already adopted and signed, actually enter into force. These include the Rotterdam Convention on prior informed consent (PIC) in countries exporting especially dangerous substances, the Stockholm Convention on phasing out persistent, organic substances (POPs), and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Convention on phasing out TBT in anti-fouling paint and regulations to prevent shipping disasters.

Within OSPAR (The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic), Denmark is the Lead Country for dioxin and endocrine disrupters. With regard to dioxin, the task is to collect data, prepare background documents, and coordinate work. Work on endocrine disrupters includes establishing an overview of the initiatives that have been taken, and inform about their status. Denmark is also active in OSPAR work on harmonising rules for discharges of chemicals and oil into the North Sea from offshore and gas installations.

Within HELCOM (the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission), efforts will continue to concentrate on activities to help countries align their environmental legislation with relevant EU directives.

In cooperation with the Greenland Home Rule Government, there will be focus on health and the environment in Greenland for persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, and lifestyle factors.

In southern middle-income countries, in parallel with specific initiatives, Denmark will focus on strengthening the countries‘ ability to implement appropriate planning and regulation. Efforts will include focus on initiatives in areas such as water, sanitation, waste, and energy, all of which are significant to health improvement.

In spring 2002, the Danish government adopted a new Strategy for environmental assistance to Central and Eastern Europe for 2002-2004. The previous objectives for Danish support to Central and Eastern Europe have been retained, including efficient support measures within the environment, energy, the labour market, business, education, and agriculture. The environment remains the most important sector for support to Central and Eastern Europe.