Conventions & Treaties

Overview

The Government of Jamaica recognises that as a small island developing state, Jamaica faces many environmental challenges and as such, is committed to addressing these environmental issues. Some of these issues are, but are not limited to:

Loss of species and biodiversity
Ozone depletion
Hazardous waste management
Pollution from land-based sources

The Government of Jamaica is addressing these international and global concerns through Multilateral and Regional Agreements with other States. By taking steps to ratify or accede to the many environmental Conventions discussed hereafter, the Government is committing itself to adopting administrative policy, and legal mechanisms to implement these Agreements, as one step in promoting sustainable development at the national level.

International Agreement, date entered into force and main UN institution involved	Main Objectives/Area of Action	Date of Accession for Jamaica
Minamata Convention on Mercury, 16/08/2017	Seeks to address issues related to the use and release of mercury in trade and in industrial processes.	16 Aug. 2017
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (22/09/1988)	Promotes the protection of the Earth´s Ozone layer from hydro-fluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other contaminants found in refrigerants that create holes in the Ozone layer.	22 Sep. 1988
Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention), absorbed by the MARPOL Protocol 02/10/1985 (IMO)	Provides regulations aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships - both accidental pollution and that from routine operations.	13 Jun. 1991
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention), 30/08/1972, (IMO)	International control and prevention of marine pollution by prohibiting the dumping of certain hazardous materials. It covers the deliberate disposal at sea of wastes or other matter from vessels, aircraft, and platforms, but does not cover discharges from land-based sources such as pipes and outfalls.	22 Mar. 1991
International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990	Provides guidance on how to prepare, respond and cooperate in the event of major oil spills.	01 Jan. 1990
Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001	Provides provisions for civil liability for bunker oil pollution damage.	01 Jan. 2001
Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water, 1963	Prohibits nuclear weapon tests except at underground sites.	13 Aug. 1963
Convention on Fishing and Conservation of the Living Resources of the High Seas	Defines the rights and responsibilities of nations with respect to their use of the world's oceans	10 Dec. 1982
Convention on the Continental Shelf (1958) Superseded by UNCLOS	Defines the rights and responsibilities of nations with respect to their use of the world's oceans	01 Jan. 1958
Convention on the territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone (1958)Superseded by UNCLOS	Defines the rights and responsibilities of nations with respect to their use of the world's oceans	10 Dec. 1958

International Agreement, date entered into force and main UN institution involved

Main Objectives/Area of Action

Date of Accession for Jamaica

Minamata Convention on Mercury, 16/08/2017

Seeks to address issues related to the use and release of mercury in trade and in industrial processes.

16 Aug. 2017

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (22/09/1988)

Promotes the protection of the Earth´s Ozone layer from hydro-fluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other contaminants found in refrigerants that create holes in the Ozone layer.

22 Sep. 1988

Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention), absorbed by the MARPOL Protocol 02/10/1985 (IMO)

Provides regulations aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships - both accidental pollution and that from routine operations.

13 Jun. 1991

Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention), 30/08/1972, (IMO)

International control and prevention of marine pollution by prohibiting the dumping of certain hazardous materials. It covers the deliberate disposal at sea of wastes or other matter from vessels, aircraft, and platforms, but does not cover discharges from land-based sources such as pipes and outfalls.

22 Mar. 1991

International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990

Provides guidance on how to prepare, respond and cooperate in the event of major oil spills.

01 Jan. 1990

Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001

Provides provisions for civil liability for bunker oil pollution damage.

01 Jan. 2001

Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water, 1963

Prohibits nuclear weapon tests except at underground sites.

13 Aug. 1963

Convention on Fishing and Conservation of the Living Resources of the High Seas

Defines the rights and responsibilities of nations with respect to their use of the world's oceans