The 46th Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention and the 19th Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Protocol (LC 46/LP 19) met at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters from 28 October – 1 November 2024.
Marine geoengineering – taking a precautionary approach
Parties to the treaties which regulate the dumping of wastes and other matter at sea have continued their discussions on marine geoengineering techniques and issued a new statement on marine geoengineering, further signaling their determination to ensure that the protection of the marine environment is at the forefront when considering ocean-based climate change mitigation measures.
The future work identified includes further legal and technical analysis of marine geoengineering techniques, with four techniques prioritized:
- ocean alkalinity enhancement;
- ocean sinking of biomass for carbon storage;
- marine surface albedo enhancement involving reflective materials;
- and marine cloud brightening.
The LC/LP governing bodies have prioritized refining the definitions for each of the four prioritized techniques with the aim of seeking approval during the Meeting of the Parties in 2025.
Parties are continuing to evaluate options for taking action, including the applicability of the existing frameworks of the London Convention and Protocol and potential further regulation. Parties have also identified the need to continue coordination with other international entities to both encourage the sharing of information and clarify the roles of these entities in the governance of marine geoengineering.
The 2024 meeting instructed the Correspondence Group on Marine Geoengineering established by the Scientific Groups and the Legal Intersessional Correspondence Group to carry out further work intersessionally and report to the next meeting.
The meeting also agreed to establish a roster of international independent experts which will be established and administered by the LC/LP Secretariat. The roster is intended to provide Parties with experts capable of advising on assessing marine geoengineering activities.
Increasing the number of ratifications of the London Protocol
The London Protocol currently has 55 Parties. Important amendments have not yet entered into force, including the 2009 amendment regarding the export of CO2 streams for disposal and the 2013 amendment to provide a science based, global, transparent and effective regulatory control mechanism for marine geoengineering.
The London Convention has 87 Parties. The London Protocol, with its precautionary approach, is intended to eventually replace the Convention.
The meeting agreed to establish an Intersessional Correspondence Group to consider how to increase the number of ratifications of the London Protocol and its amendments. The group was tasked with developing an “Inventory of current measures” already undertaken in this regard, analyzing the reasons for not ratifying and to propose specific measures to increase the number of ratifications.
Barriers to compliance
The LC/LP Secretariat and Parties have been working to address barriers to compliance with the treaty regime, through a series of technical assistance and capacity building activities. This work is overseen by the Barriers to Compliance Steering Group. The meeting approved an amended intersessional work programme for the Group, for the period 2024 to 2025.
The work includes developing guides, including a “How to” guide outlining basic information on how to comply with the requirements of the LC/LP regime, and reviewing the forthcoming e-learning course on the London Protocol, currently being developed in cooperation with WMU.
CO2 sequestration in sub-seabed geological formations
The London Convention and Protocol are the most advanced international regulatory instruments addressing carbon capture and sequestration in sub-sea geological formations.
The meeting noted progress with the ratification of the 2009 amendment to article 6 of the London Protocol, concerning the export of wastes for dumping purposes, aimed at enabling Parties to share transboundary sub-seabed geological formations for sequestration projects. To date, twelve States have accepted the 2009 amendment, with others encouraged to do so as soon as possible.
Following the adoption of the 2019 resolution to allow provisional application of the amendment to article 6 (resolution LP.5(14)), nine Governments have deposited declarations of provisional application.
The meeting endorsed the Scientific Groups’ decision to re-establish the Correspondence Group on Experiences with the Carbon Dioxide Streams Assessment Guidelines, to continue to collect information regarding experiences with the consideration or application of the Guidelines. The Correspondence Group is due to report to the next meeting of the Scientific Groups, in 2025.
Marine litter and microplastics
The meeting noted ongoing work on marine litter and microplastics in the Scientific Groups and was updated on the development of an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment; the status of the actions in the IMO Action Plan to address marine plastic litter from ships; and progress made by GESAMP Working Group 43, which is researching sea-based sources of marine litter.
Disposal of fibreglass vessels
The meeting noted the ongoing work of the Scientific Groups on the end-of-life management of fibreglass vessels and endorsed the Groups’ decision that intersessional work on the draft guidance and alternatives to at-sea disposal should continue, to allow for further revisions to the text; harmonization with the final report of GESAMP WG 43; and feedback from SIDS. The Secretariat was requested to reach out to Administrations of SIDS to seek feedback on the draft guidance on end-of-life management of
fibreglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) vessels and alternatives to at-sea disposal. The final draft of the guidance is expected in 2025.
Deposition of materials jettisoned during the launch of space vehicles
The LC/LP Secretariat has been liaising with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) on matters relating to materials jettisoned during the launch of space vehicles.
The meeting of the governing bodies noted the latest updates and requested the Secretariat to continue its outreach efforts on this issue, in particular with relevant regional organizations such as OSPAR, as well as UNOOSA and COPUOS, and report back as appropriate.
