1996 Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities

Barcelona Convention LBS Protocol

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United Nations Environment Programme, Coordinating Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEPMAP)

“Article 12: Settlement of Disputes

1. Taking into account article 28, paragraph 1, of the Convention, when land-based pollution originating from the territory of one Party is likely to prejudice directly the interests of one or more of the other Parties, the Parties concerned shall, at the request of one or more of them, undertake to enter into consultation with a view to seeking a satisfactory solution.
2. At the request of any Party concerned, the matter shall be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the Parties held in accordance with article 14 of this Protocol; the meeting may make recommendations with a view to reaching a satisfactory solution.”

Government of Spain

Annex I: Elements to be Taken into Account in the Preparation of Action Plans, Programmes and Measures for the Elimination of Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities

Annex II: Elements to be Taken into Account in the Issue of the Authorizations for Discharges of Wastes

Annex III: Conditions of Application to Pollution Transported through the Atmosphere

Annex IV: Criteria for the Definition of Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practice

11/05/2008

“Article 16: Final Provisions

3. This Protocol shall be open for signature, at Athens from 17 May 1980 to 16 June 1980, and at Madrid from 17 June 1980 to 16 May 1981, by any State invited to the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the Coastal States of the Mediterranean Region for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution from Land-Based Sources held at Athens from 12 May to 17 May 1980. It shall also be open until the same dates for signature by the European Economic Community and by any similar regional economic grouping of which at least one member is a coastal State of the Mediterranean Sea Area and which exercises competence in fields covered by this Protocol.

4. This Protocol shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Government of Spain, which will assume the functions of Depositary

5. As from 17 May 1981, this Protocol shall be open for accession by the States referred to in paragraph 3 above, by the European Economic Community and by any grouping referred to in that paragraph.

6. This Protocol shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the deposit of at least six instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval of, or accession to, the Protocol by the Parties referred to in paragraph 3 of this article.”

Annexes I, II and IV to the Protocol were amended by Decision IG.25/5 (2021 Amendments to Annexes I, II, and IV to the Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities)

1980 Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities

1995 Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities

1976 Protocol for the Prevention of Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Dumping from Ships and Aircraft 

1994 Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution Resulting from Exploration and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf and the Seabed and its Subsoil

1995 Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean

1995 Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (replaced 1982 Protocol Concerning Mediterranean Specially Protected Areas)

1996 Protocol on the Prevention of Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

2002 Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Preventing Pollution from Ships, and in Cases of Emergency, Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea (replaced 1976 Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Oil and other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency)

2008 Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean

United Nations Environment Programme accessed on 17/07/2024

The date of entry into force and number of parties listed are for the 1996 Amendments to the Protocol.

The Protocol on Land-Based Sources (the LBS Protocol) was adopted on 17 May 1980 by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the Coastal States of the Mediterranean Region for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution from Land-based Sources, held in Athens. The Protocol entered into force on 17 June 1983. The original Protocol was modified by amendments adopted on 7 March 1996 by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution from Land-Based Sources, held in Syracuse on 6 and 7 March 1996 (UNEP(OCA)/MED IG.7/4).