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Question

Difficulty: MediumInternational Environmental Conventions, Protocols and Agreements

Consider the following statements regarding the Minamata Convention on Mercury:

1. It is a legally binding multilateral treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.
2. It permits open-ended timelines for member nations without establishing specific phase-out target dates for the manufacture, import, and export of mercury-added products.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    2 only
  3. C
    Both 1 and 2
  4. D
    Neither 1 nor 2

Answer

1 only
Statement 1 is accurate because the Minamata Convention on Mercury is a legally binding multilateral agreement under UNEP that targets the reduction of toxic mercury emissions. Statement 2 is false because Article 4 and Annex A of the convention stipulate concrete phase-out timelines for a wide range of mercury-added manufacture and trade products.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate Statement 1 regarding the regulatory mandate of the Minamata Convention.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury was adopted in 2013 and entered into force in 2017 as a legally binding treaty addressing anthropogenic mercury pollution across its entire lifecycle.
To verify the legal nature and primary target of the convention.
2
Evaluate Statement 2 regarding phase-out commitments for mercury-added products.
The treaty explicitly listed phase-out dates (e.g., 2020 target for specified batteries, switches, CFL lamps, and cosmetics) rather than allowing open-ended schedules.
To verify whether product phase-out timelines are binding and specific.
3
Synthesize results to select the correct combination.
Statement 1 is correct while Statement 2 is incorrect, making '1 only' the correct option.
Only Statement 1 accurately captures the legal principles of the treaty.

Key Concept

Minamata Convention on Mercury: Scope and Regulatory Phase-out Controls
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

International Environmental Conventions, Protocols and Agreements