MULTILATERAL TREATIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Animal Welfare
European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes [ETS No.123]
Signed: Strasbourg
Date: 18 March, 1986
Depositary: Council of Europe
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.125/2000 : Cm 4906
UK Signature: 18 March, 1986
UK Ratification: 17 December, 1999
Protocol of Amendment to the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes [ETS No.170]
Signed: Strasbourg
Date: 22 June, 1998
Depositary: Council of Europe
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No.028/1999 : Cm 4421
UK Signature: 8 September, 1998
UK Ratification: 17 December, 1999
Biological Diversity
Convention on Biological Diversity.
Adopted: Nairobi, 11 May 1992
Signed: Rio de Janeiro
Date: 5 June, 1992
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.051/1995 : Cm 2915
UK Signature: 12 June, 1992
UK Ratification: 3 June, 1994
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention
on Biological Diversity.
Adopted: Montreal, 29 January, 2000
Signed: Nairobi
Date: 15 May, 2000
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series Misc. Series No. 007/2003: Cm 5833
UK Signature: 25 May, 2000
UK Ratification: 19 November, 2003
Climate
[See also: Ozone Depletion : Transboundary Pollution]
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Adopted at: New York
Date: 9 May, 1992
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 028/1995: Cm 2833
UK Signature: 12 June, 1992
UK Ratification: 8 December, 1993
Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Signed: Kyoto
Date: 11 December, 1997
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No. 001/2002: Cm 5379
UK Signature: 29 April, 1998
UK Ratification: 31 May, 2002
Note: the Kyoto Protocol is not yet in force.
Nature/Animal Conservation
Convention relative to the Preservation of Fauna and Flora in their Natural State
Signed: London
Date: 8 November, 1933
Depositary: United Kingdom
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.027/1936 : Cmd 5280
UK Signature: 8 November, 1933
UK Ratification: 9 April, 1935
Note: The viability of this Convention is in doubt : Article XXI of the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (Done at Algiers, 15 September, 1968) purports on entry into force to replace it – although the UK as depositary has not formally proposed termination.
Convention on Fishing and Conservation of the Living Resources of the High Signed: Geneva
Date: 29 April, 1958
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.039/1966 : Cmnd 3028
UK Signature: 9 September, 1958
UK Ratification: 14 March, 1960
International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
Signed: Rio de Janeiro
Date: 14 May, 1966
Depositary: FAO
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.031/2001 : Cm 5183
UK Acceptance: 10 November, 1995
African Convention for the Conservation of Nature and natural Resources (with annexed list of protected species)
Signed: Algiers
Date: 15 September, 1968
Depositary: Organization of African Unity
Publication Reference: UN Treaty Series No.14689 : Vol. 1001, p.1-18
[UK not Signed]
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat
Adopted at: Ramsar
Date: 2 December, 1971
Depositary: Unesco
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.034/1976 : Cmnd 6465
UK Signature: 6 September, 1973
UK Ratification: 5 January, 1976
Note: UK is a Party to :
Amending Protocol Adopted at Paris on 3 December, 1982 [Miscellaneous Series no. 001/1984 : Cmnd 9113];
Amendments to Articles 6 and 7 of the Convention adopted at the Extraordinary Conference of the Contracting Parties at Regina, Canada, 28 May-3 June, 1987 [Treaty Series no.013/1996 : Cm 3053]
Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals
Signed: London
Date: 1 June, 1972 to 31 December, 1972
Depositary: United Kingdom
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.045/1978 : Cmnd 7209
UK Signature: 9 June, 1972
UK Ratification: 10 September, 1974
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild (CMS)
Signed: Bonn
Date: 23 June, 1979 to 22 June, 1980
Depositary: Federal Republic of Germany
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.087/1990 : Cm 1332
UK Signature: 23 June, 1979
UK Ratification: 23 July, 1985
Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources [CCAMLR] Signed: Canberra
Date: 1 August, 1980
Depositary: Government of Australia
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.048/1982 : Cmnd 8714
UK Signature: 11 September, 1980
UK Ratification: 31 August, 1981
Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic
Signed: Reykjavik
Date: 2 March, 1982
Depositary: Council of the European Communities
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No.007/1983 : Cmnd 8830
[UK not Signed]
Convention on Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific, with Final Act
Signed: Apia
Date: 12 June, 1976
Depositary: Western Samoa
Publication Reference: Not published in UK
[UK not Signed]
Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (ETS No. 104)
Signed: Berne
Date: 19 September, 1979
Depositary: Council of European
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.056/1982 : Cmnd 8738
UK Signature: 19 September, 1979
UK Ratification: 28 May, 1982
Note: UK is a Party to :
Amended Appendix I (adopted by the Standing Committee on 11 January, 1991) entered into force on 12 April 1991 [Treaty Series No.106/1991 : Cm 1774];
Further amendments to Appendix I Adopted at Strasbourg on 6 December 1991 [Treaty Series No.052/1992 : Cm 2002], and 3 December 1993 [Treaty Series No.016/1996 : Cm 3071;
Amendments to Annex IV Signed at Strasbourg on 24 March, 1995 [Treaty Series No.039/1996 : Cm 3229];
Amendments to Appendices II and III Adopted at Strasbourg, 26 January, 1996 [Treaty Series No. 041/1996 : Cm 3244], and 6 December, 1996 [Treaty Series No. 020/1997 : Cm 3583].
Protocol concerning specially Protected Areas and Wildlife to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region
Signed: Kingston
Date: 18 January, 1990 to 11 June, 1991
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No.009/1996 : Cm 3161
UK Signature: 11 October, 1973 [Not ratified]
Note: Includes Annexes to the Protocol concerning specially Protected Areas and Wildlife.
Protocol to the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, done at Rio de Janeiro on 14 May
Signed: Paris
Date: 10 July, 1984
Depositary: FAO
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.031/2001 : Cm 5183
UK Acceptance: 10 November, 1995
Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats [Formerly known as the Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe; “Eurobats”]
Signed: London
Date: 4 December, 1991
Depositary: United Kingdom
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.009/1994: Cm 2472
UK Signature: 4 December, 1991
UK Ratification: 9 September, 1992
Note: UK is a Party to i) Amendment adopted at Bristol on 18 July, 1995 [Treaty Series No. 009/2002 : Cm 5386]; ii) Amendment adopted at Bristol on 24 July, 2000 [Treaty Series No. 049/2003 : Cm 6069]
Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North
Signed: New York
Date: 17 March, 1992
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.052/1995 : Cm 2916
UK Signature: 16 April, 1973
UK Ratification: 13 July, 1993
Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High
Adopted at: Rome
Date: 24 November, 1993
Depositary: FAO
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No.011/1995: Cm 3106
[UK Not Signed]
Note: Not yet in force
Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds
Signed: The Hague
Date: 15 August, 1996
Depositary: Netherlands’ Government
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.013/2003 : Cm 5784
UK Signature: 23 September, 1996
UK Ratification: 22 February, 1999
Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the adjoining Atlantic
Signed: Monaco
Date: 24 November, 1996
Publication Reference: Not published
[UK not yet Signed]
Note: The Agreement is not yet in force
Convention on the Conservation and Management of Fishery Resources in South east Atlantic Ocean
Signed: Windhoek
Date: 20 April, 2001
Depositary: FAO
Publication Reference: Not Published
[UK Signed on behalf of Saint Helena and Dependencies]
Note: The Agreement is not yet in force
Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels
Signed: Canberra
Date: 19 June, 2001
Depositary: Australian Government
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.038/2004 : Cm 6333
UK Signature: 19 June, 2001
UK Ratification: 2 April, 2004
Environmental Impact
Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context.
Signed: Espoo/New York
Date: 25 February, 1991 and 2 September, 1991
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.012/1998 : Cm 3879
UK Signature: 26 February, 1991
UK Ratification: 10 October, 1997
Ozone Depletion
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
Adopted at: Vienna
Date: 22 March, 1985
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 001/1990: Cm 910
UK Signature: 20 May, 1985
UK Ratification: 15 May, 1987
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
Adopted at: Montreal
Date: 16 September, 1987
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 001/1990: Cm 910
UK Signature: 16 September, 1987
UK Ratification: 16 December, 1988
Adjustments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
Adopted at: London
Date: 27 to 29 June, 1990
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 032/1991: Cm 1545
UK Signature: [Not applicable]
UK Ratification: 20 December, 1991
Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, done at Montreal on 16 September 1987
Adopted at: London
Date: 29 June, 1990
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 004/1993: Cm 2132
UK Signature: [Not applicable]
UK Ratification: 22 December, 1991
Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, done at Montreal on 16 September 1987, adopted at the Fourth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
Adopted at: Copenhagen
Date: 25 November, 1992
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 048/1995: Cm 2899
UK Signature: [Not applicable]
UK Ratification: 4 January, 1995
Adjustments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, adopted at the 11th Meeting of the Parties held in Beijing
Adopted at: Beijing
Date: 29 November to 3 December, 1999
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 037/2002: Cm 5594
UK Signature: [Not applicable]
UK Ratification: 12 October, 2001
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-Level Ozone
Signed: Gothenburg
Date: 30 November, 1999
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No. 016/2002: Cm 5595
UK Signature: 1 December, 1999
Note: The UK has not yet ratified this Protocol [CHECK]
Adoption of Annex D to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, concluded at Montreal on 16 September, 1987
Adopted at: Nairobi
Date: 19 June, 1991
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 014/1993: Cm 2231
Note: Entered into force for All Contracting Parties to the Protocol on 27 May, 1992.
Adjustments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, done at Montreal on 16 September, 1987
Adopted at: Vienna
Date: 7 December, 1995
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 064/1997: Cm 3778
Note: The adjustments to production and compensation of the controlled substances listed in Annexes A,B,C and E entered into force for All Contracting Parties to the Protocol on 5 August, 1996: The adjustment to the ozone-depleting potential specified in Annex E entered into force on 1 January, 1997.
Adjustments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, Adopted at the Ninth Meeting of the Parties held in Montreal, 15-17 September, 1997
Adopted at: Montreal
Date: 15 September, 1997
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 038/1998: Cm 4044
Note: The adjustments entered into force for All Contracting Parties to the Protocol on 6 June, 1998.
Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, Adopted at the Ninth Meeting of the Parties held at Montreal, 15-17 September, 1997.
Adopted at: Montreal
Date: 17 September, 1997
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 055/2002: Cm 5725
UK Signature: [Not applicable]
UK Ratification: 12 October, 2001
Note: The amendment entered into force for the United Kingdom on 10 January, 2002.
Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, Adopted at the 11th Meeting of the Parties held at Beijing, 3 December, 1999.
Adopted at: Beijing
Date: 3 December, 1999
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 055/2002: Cm 5725
UK Signature: [Not applicable]
UK Ratification: 12 October, 2001
Note: The amendment entered into force for the United Kingdom on 25 February, 2002
Transboundary Pollution
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
Signed: Geneva
Date: 13 November, 1979 to 16 November, 1979.
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.057/1983 : Cmnd 9034
UK Signature: 13 November, 1979
UK Ratification: 15 July, 1982
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Long-Term Financing of the Co-operative Programme for monitoring and Evaluation of the Long-Range Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe (EMEP)
Adopted at: Geneva
Date: 28 September, 1984
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 075/1988 : Cm 521
UK Signature: 20 November, 1984
UK Ratification: 12 August, 1985
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrous Oxides or their Transboundary Fluxes
Signed: Sofia and New York
Date: 31 October, 1988 to 5 May, 1989
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.001/1992 : Cm 1787
UK Signature: 1 November, 1988
UK Ratification: 15 October, 1990
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
Signed: Berne and New York
Date: 23 March, 1989 to 22 March, 1990
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.100/1995 : Cm 3108
UK Signature: 6 October, 1989
UK Ratification: 7 February, 1994
Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in an Transboundary Context
Signed: Espoo and New York
Date: 25 February, 1991 to 2 September, 1991
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.012/1998 : Cm 3879
UK Signature: 26 February, 1991
UK Ratification: 10 October, 1997
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution concerning the Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds or their Transboundary Fluxes
Adopted at: Geneva
Date: 18 November, 1991
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 077/1999 : Cm 4517
UK Signature: [Not applicable]
UK Ratification: 14 June, 1994
Convention on the Protection and the use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes
Signed: Helsinki
Date: 17 March, 1992 to 18 September, 1992
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No.005/1993 : Cm 2141
UK Signature: 18 March, 1992
Note: The United Kingdom has not ratified this Convention.
Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents
Signed: Helsinki
Date: 17 March, 1992 to 18 September, 1992
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.005/2003 : Cm 5741
UK Signature: 18 March, 1992
UK Ratification: 5 August, 2002
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur Emissions
Signed: Oslo and New York
Date: 14 June, 1994 to 12 December, 1994
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No. 045/1994 : Cm 2718
UK Signature: 14 June, 1994
UK Ratification: 17 December, 1996
Note: The Protocol is not yet in force.
Amendment to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, concluded at Basel on 22 March 1989
Adopted at: Geneva
Date: 22 September, 1995
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No. 018/1996 : Cm 3322
UK Signature: [Not applicable]
UK Ratification: 13 October, 1997
Amendment to Annex 1 and adoption of Annexes VIII and IX to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wasters and their Disposal
Signed: Kuching
Date: 23 February, 1998 to 27 February, 1998
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No. 113/2000 : Cm 4860
Note: The Amendment entered into force administratively for Parties to the Convention on 6 November, 1998
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants
Signed: Aarhus
Date: 24 June, 1998
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No. 002/2003 : Cm 5794
UK Signature: 24 June, 1998
Note: The Protocol has not been ratified by the United Kingdom
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals
Signed: Aarhus
Date: 24 June, 1998 to 25 June, 1998
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No. 013/2003 : Cm 5935
UK Signature: 24 June, 1998
Note: The Protocol has not been ratified by the United Kingdom
Protocol on Water and Health to the 1992 Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes
Signed: London
Date: 17 June, 1998 to 18 June, 1998
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No. 002/2003 : Cm 5794
UK Signature: 17 June, 1998
Note: The Protocol has not been ratified by the United Kingdom
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-Level Ozone
Signed: Gothenburg
Date: 30 November, 1999
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No. 016/2002 : Cm 5595
UK Signature: 1 December, 1999
Note: The Protocol has not been ratified by the United Kingdom
Basel Protocol on Liability and Compensation for Damage Resulting from Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
Signed: Berne and New York
Date: 6 March, 2000 to 17 March, 2000, and 1 April, 2000 to 10 December, 2000
Depositary: United Nations
UK Signature: 7 December, 2000 [Based on DETR Press Release : CHECK]
Note: The Protocol has not been ratified by the United Kingdom. It has not yet been published
Amendment to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context [done at] Espoo, 25 February, 1991.
Signed: Sofia
Date: 27 February, 2001
Depositary: United Nations
Note: The UK has not yet signed this Amendment.
Amendment to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in an Transboundary Context
Adopted: Cavtat (Croatia), 4 June, 2004
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Not published
Note: The UK has not yet signed this Amendment
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
Signed: Stockholm and New York
Date: 22 May, 2001 and 24 May, 2001 to 22 May, 2002
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Miscellaneous Series No. 012/2004 : Cm 6353
UK Signature: 11 December, 2001
Note: The Protocol has not been ratified by the United Kingdom.
Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary context.
Signed: Kiev
Date: 21 May, 2003
Depositary: United Nations
UK Signature: 21 May, 2003
Note: The Protocol has not been ratified by the United Kingdom [CHECK STATUS]. It has not yet been published
Protocol on Civil Liability and Compensation for damage caused by the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents on Transboundary Waters to the 1992 Convention on the Protection and use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes and to the 1992 Convention on the Transboundary effects of Industrial Accidents
Signed: Kiev
Date: 21 May, 2003
Depositary: United Nations
UK Signature: 21 May, 2003
Note: The Protocol has not been ratified by the United Kingdom. It has not yet been published
Amendment to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context.
Signed: Cavtat
Date: 1 – 4 June, 2004
Depositary: United Nations
Note: This is the 2nd Amendment to the above Convention, Adopted at the Third Meeting of the Parties, held at Cavtat (Croatia), as set out in Annex VII to the report of the Third Meeting of the Parties (Decision III/7)
Publication Reference: N/A
Awaiting Confirmation of UK Signature (December, 2004)
Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
Adopted: Rotterdam
Date: 10 September, 1998
Depositary: United Nations
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.046/2004 : Cmnd 6390
UK Signature: 11 September, 1998
UK Ratification: 17 June, 2004
Weather Forecasting:
Convention establishing the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts with Protocol on Privileges and Immunities of the Centre and Final Act (“COST” Agreement) Project No.70
Signed: Brussels
Date: 11 October, 1973 to 11 April, 1974
Depositary: Council of the European Communities
Publication Reference: Treaty Series No.002/1976 : Cmnd 6366
UK Signature: 11 October, 1973
UK Ratification: 18 July, 1975