The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has tabled its report on the inquiry into the 2009 and 2013 amendments to the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (London Protocol).

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 13 June 2023

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has tabled its report on the inquiry into the 2009 and 2013 amendments to the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (London Protocol). The Committee considered the two amendments to the London Protocol. The 2009 amendment permits the export of carbon dioxide streams for carbon capture and storage between countries who have signed up to the London Protocol. The 2013 amendment proposes to regulate marine geoengineering activities, such as ocean fertilisation and other activities in the future. Committee Chair, Mr Tony Zappia MP said that ‘The evidence received by the Committee from government, industry and community groups provided the Committee with a perspective on how they could be implemented. The Committee subsequently recommended that the Australian Government ratify both instruments’. The report can be downloaded from the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Mr Tony Zappa MP, Chair (08) 8265 3100 For background information Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 4580 cceew@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has today commenced a new inquiry reviewing the 2009 and 2013 amendments to the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (London Protocol).

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 25 January 2023

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has today commenced a new inquiry reviewing the 2009 and 2013 amendments to the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (London Protocol). In launching the inquiry, Committee Chair, Mr Tony Zappia MP said ‘the London Protocol extends the London Convention, which was one of the first international conventions that aimed to protect the marine environment from human activities. The London Protocol contributes to the international control and prevention of marine pollution by prohibiting the dumping of any waste or other matter with limited exceptions that require a permit’. The London Protocol came into force for Australia in March 2006 and the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 gives effect to Australia’s international obligations in domestic law. The two proposed amendments to the London Protocol have yet to be accepted by Australia. The 2009 amendments would allow the export of carbon dioxide streams for disposal by sub-seabed sequestration with a permit in certain circumstances. The 2013 amendments would prohibit the placement of matter into the sea for marine geoengineering activities, specifically ocean fertilisation, unless authorised by permit. A permit could only be issued for legitimate scientific research. In adopting the new inquiry, the Committee’s consideration of the proposed amendments will include the following terms of reference:   the environmental benefits and impacts of exporting and importing carbon dioxide streams for the purpose of sub-seabed sequestration the environmental benefits and impacts of marine geoengineering activity, such as ocean fertilisation, for scientific research the international market for carbon dioxide streams the interaction of the proposed amendments with greenhouse gas inventories and the regulatory and reporting systems. The Committee is inviting submissions to the inquiry addressing any or all of the above terms of reference by 10 March 2023. Further information about the Committee’s inquiry is available on its website. Media inquiries Mr Tony Zappa MP, Chair (08) 8265 3100 For background information Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 4580 cceew@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.