Barcelona Convention

In 1975 the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) was adopted by 16 Mediterranean countries and the European Community. Focus was aimed at marine pollution control. On the 16th of February 1976 these Parties adopted the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution or the Barcelona Convention. The Convention Protocols aim to protect and improve the marine and coastal environment in the Mediterranean.

Objectives and aims

• Assessing and controlling marine pollution (by development and adoption of Protocols that prescribe measures, procedures and regulations and by using the best environmental practices)
• Sustainable management of natural marine and coastal resources
• Protecting the natural and cultural heritage
• Protecting the marine environment and coastal regions through actions aimed at prevention, reduction and elimination of pollution such as the application of the precautionary principle and the polluter pays principle
• Integrating the environment into economic and social development
• Strengthening solidarity by promoting cooperation between countries bordering the Mediterranean
• Contributing to improving quality of life

Contracting Parties

• Albania
• Algeria
• Bosnia Herzegovina
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Egypt
• the EU
• France
• Greece
• Israel
• Italy
• Lebanon
• Libya
• Malta
• Morocco
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Syria
• Tunisia
• Turkey

The Contracting Parties will take specific measures against all types of pollution that may be a threat to the area in order to protect the biological diversity and establish a pollution monitoring system next to applying environmental legislation. They will also cooperate in the fields of science and technology and work together in case of pollution incidents.

Protocols

The Barcelona Convention has given rise to several Protocols addressing specific aspects of Mediterranean environmental conservation.

1. Dumping protocol (from ships and aircraft)
2. Prevention and Emergency Protocol (pollution from ships and emergency situations)
3. Land-based Sources and Activities Protocol
4. Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity Protocol
5. Offshore Protocol (pollution from exploration and exploitation)
6. Hazardous Wastes Protocol
7. Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)

External links

• United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan for the Barcelona Convention

• Europa, Summaries of EU legislation, Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean

• The European Commission, The Barcelona Convention

• Barcelona Convention, Protocol for the prevention of pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by dumping from ships and aircrafts (PDF)

• Barcelona Convention, Protocol concerning cooperation in combating pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by oil and other harmful substances in cases of emergency