ADDRESSES
Cilmate Protection Programme
Holger Liptow
Tel: +49 (0) 6196 79 13 52
E-Mail: holger.liptow@gtz.de
Internet: www.gtz.de/climate
Proklima: Protecting the Ozone Layer
Ulrich Stöhr-Grabowski
Tel: +49 (0) 6196 79 1252
E-Mail: proklima@gtz.de
Internet: www.gtz.de/proklima
BIODIV: Implementing the Convention
on Biological Diversity
Andreas Gettkant
Tel: +49 (0) 6196 79 12 80
E-Mail: andreas.gettkant@gtz.de
Internet: www.gtz.de/biodiv
Pilot Project Chemical Safety
Matthias Kern
Tel: +49 (0) 228 98 57 00
E-Mail: gtzkern@aol.com
Internet: www.gtz.de/chs
Convention Project to Combat
Desertification
Günter Winckler
Telefon: +49 (0) 228 98 37 119
E-Mail: project@gtzccd.de
Internet: www.gtz.de/desert
RioPlus: Project for Sustainable Strategies
Winfried Hamacher
Tel: +49 (0) 228 98 53 30
E-Mail: projekt@gtz-rioplus.de
Internet: www.gtz.de/rioplus
58
CONVENTIONS AT A GLANCE
The Vienna Convention for the
Protection of the Ozone Layer
Signed: Entry into force:
1985 1985
· Montreal Protocol on Substances
Depleting the Ozone Layer
Signed: Entry into force:
1997 1987
Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Signed: Entry into force:
1992 1994
· Kyoto Protocol
Signed: Entry into force:
1997 Not yet in force
In this international agreement, the signatory states commit
themselves to countering the depletion of the ozone layer
with research, exchange of information and international
Parties: co-operation.
184
The aim of the Montreal Protocol is to reduce and eventually
eliminate emissions of man-made ozone depleting substances
(ODS).Five subsequent amendments determined further
substances and more stringent stipulations concerning the
phaseout of ODS.
Parties: The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal
In process of Protocol was introduced in 1990, backed financially by the
ratification industrialised nations.The aim of the fund is to assist devel-
oping countries in complying with their obligations under the
Montreal Protocol.
The aim of the Convention is to stabilise greenhouse gas
concentrations in the atmosphere at a level preventing a
dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
Parties: Industrialised countries are to assist developing countries
183 with implementing the Convention.Adaptation to climate
change is above all turning into an increasing challenge for
the developing countries.
The Kyoto Protocol,which was negotiated in 1997,defines bind-
ing levels for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from
Parties: the industrialised countries of up to 5%.The Kyoto Protocol can
In process of come into force once it has been ratified by at least 55 countries
ratification that are responsible for at least 55 percent of the greenhouse
gases emitted world-wide.It is expected that the agreements
and regulations on particulars negotiated in Bonn and
Marrakesh (July and November 2001) will provide for a sufficient
ratification of the Protocol, and hence for its entry into force.

The Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD)
Signed: Entry into force:
1992 1993
· Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Signed: Entry into force:
2000 Not yet in force
Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD)
Signed: Entry into force:
1994 1996
Rotterdam Convention (PIC)
Signed: Entry into force:
1998 Not yet in force
Stockholm Convention (POPs)
Signed: Entry into force:
2001 Not yet in force
Since the UN Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, biodiversity has become the
object of an agreement with an international law status, the
Parties: Convention on Biological Diversity, which pursues three main
182 objectives:
· Conservation of biodiversity
· Sustainable use of genetic resources
· Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of
the utilisation of genetic resources.
By ratifying this Convention, the developed nations have
committed themselves to preserving biodiversity in their own
Parties: countries as well as to assisting the developing countries in
implementing the necessary steps.
In process of
ratification
The Cartagena Protocol, which was adopted in 2000, makes
provisions for the safe transport and correct handling of
living genetically modified organisms with the aim of ensuring
protection of biodiversity against possible risks.
The aim of the Convention is to counter the degradation of
natural resources – soils, water, and vegetation – in the arid
regions of the Earth and achieve a better management of
Parties: these resources.
176
With the aid of national and regional action programmes, the
countries affected by desertification identify the causes of
degradation phenomena and work out measures to overcome
or diminish them and to prevent drought disasters.What is
particularly important in implementing the UNCCD is that the
users of resources are involved.Combating desertification
makes a considerable contribution to reducing poverty in rural
areas.The UNCCD aims to achieve coherence with other national
and regional development programmes. In this sense it is
understood as an Environment and Development Convention.
The Convention regulates the exchange of information and
the observance of import decisions in international trade with
certain hazardous chemicals.Exporting countries may only
Parties:
permit the export of these substances if the importing country
In process of
has explicitly approved of this.Such a regulation is inter-
ratification
nationally known as Prior Informed Consent (PIC).Once 50
countries have ratified this convention it will come into force.
The Convention bans the production and use of certain longe-
vous harmful organic substances, the Persistent Organic Pol-
Parties: lutants (POPs), or strongly restricts their release.This applies
In process of to pesticides, industrial chemicals and highly toxic by-products
ratification of manufacturing and combustion processes, such as dioxins
and furanes.Once 50 countries have ratified this convention it
will come into force.
GTZ IN PROFILE
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammen-
arbeit (GTZ) GmbH is a government-owned corporation
for international co-operation with worldwide operati-
ons. GTZ’s aim is to positively shape the political, eco-
nomic, ecological and social development in our partner
countries, thereby improving people’s living conditions
and prospects. Through the services it provides, GTZ
supports complex development and reform processes
and contributes to global sustainable development.
GTZ was founded in 1975 as a corporation under
private law. The German Federal Ministry for Economic
Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is its main
financing organisation. GTZ also undertakes commis-
sions for other government departments, for govern-
ments of other countries, for international clients such
as the European Commission, the United Nations or the
World Bank, as well as for private-sector corporations.
The GTZ operates on a public-benefit basis. Any sur-
plusses are exclusively rechanelled into its own devel-
opment co-operation projects.
International and local experts and managerial person-
nel form the mainstay of GTZ’s presence in its partner
countries. With many years of experience, GTZ is skilled
in tailoring solutions to specific problem situations in
partner countries, and in developing project strategies
and measures jointly with its partners. Emphasis is on
interlocking regional, sectoral, commercial and logistic
capabilities and on integrating management know-how
and intercultural expertise.
However, international co-operation also calls for new
alliances. GTZ aims to establish new partnerships in the
social, economic and cultural sphere. It has always
cooperated closely with other national and international
development cooperation organisations, availing itself –
wherever technically and financially expedient – of the
knowledge available in the private consulting sector,
from independent experts and specialist public institu-
tions both in Germany and abroad. GTZ dovetails inputs
delivered by various project actors, so as to achieve the
best possible results. The organisation has more than
11,000 employees in around 120 countries of Africa,
Asia, Latin America, in the Eastern European countries
in transition and the CIS. Around 8,700 are locally-
contracted nationals. The GTZ maintains its own field
offices in 67 countries.
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)
Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1-5
D-65760 Eschborn
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 61 96 79 0
Internet: www.gtz.de
Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ ) GmbH