Habitats Directive definition

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OSPAR, London Convention and London Protocol—implementation in England and Wales

OSPAR, London Convention and London Protocol—implementation in England and Wales OSPAR The OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic 1992 (OSPAR) is an international agreement that has its origins in the Oslo Convention against dumping in 1972 and the Paris Convention of 1974, which broadened matters covered by the Oslo Convention to include land-based sources of marine pollution and the offshore industry. These two conventions were ultimately unified and extended by OSPAR. An annex on biodiversity and ecosystems was adopted in 1998 to cover non-polluting human activities that can adversely affect the sea. For more information, see Practice Note: Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR)—snapshot. OSPAR addresses all sources of pollution of the marine environment and the adverse effects of human activities upon it, takes into account the precautionary principle and strengthens regional co-operation. For these purposes, ‘pollution’ is defined as: ‘the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the...

EU Environmental Crime Directive (EU) 2024/1203—snapshot

EU Environmental Crime Directive (EU) 2024/1203—snapshot Key information EU Environmental Crime Directive Title Directive (EU) 2024/1203 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on the protection of the environment through criminal law and replacing Directives 2008/99/EC and 2009/123/EC (EU Environmental Crime Directive) Entry into force 20 May 2024. Note that Directive (EU) 2024/1203 does not bind Denmark or Ireland—these Member States remain bound by Directives 2008/99/EC and 2009/123/EC. See Practice Note EU Environmental Crime Directive 2008/99/EC—snapshot. Deadline for transposition 21 May 2026 Subject Environmental crime Purpose and objectives Environmental crime covers a broad spectrum of offences. It encompasses the destruction of or damage to protected species and habitats, illegal shipment or dumping of waste, pollution of air, soil and water, and illegal trading in hazardous substances. Such crimes are extremely lucrative and often have a cross-border nature. The Commission estimates that €80–230bn are lost annually in the EU as a result of environmental crime. Directive (EU) 2024/1203 (the EU Environmental Crime...