Oxford LibGuides: International law of the sea (ILOS): Environment & pollution

Marine environment protection, marine pollution and climate change

International Agreements & Organisations
Commentary

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 (UNCLOS)
Link through to official UN Treaty website where full text in official languages can be downloaded free. (1833 UNTS 3) Scroll down the page to see country participants EIF 16 November 1994
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matters 1972 (London Convention)
Section of official IMO website with links to text of agreement and later amendments, lots of supporting information.
Basel, Rotterdam, & Stockholm Conventions
Official website of secretariats. During the Basel Conference of the Parties from 29 April to 10 May 2019, Governments amended the Basel Convention to include plastic waste in a legally-binding framework which will make global trade in plastic waste more transparent and better regulated, whilst also ensuring that its management is safer for human health and the environment.
HELCOM: Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission
Official website. HELCOM makes available diverse reports and brochures as well as audiovisual materials about the Baltic Sea and its environment. The main series is the Baltic Sea Environment Proceedings (BSEP).
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
Part of IMO website.
List of IMO Conventions
IMO maintained portal to texts of treaties and related protocols, and status details.
IMO: Marine Environment
Official website. This link is to the Marine Environment section of the International Maritime Organization's website.
IMO: Pollution Prevention
Part of official website. Explanation of the treaty and its working.
Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and Coastal Area of the South-East Pacific (Lima Convention)
Open access text and status details available on UN website
Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)
Official website Convened under General Assembly resolution 72/249 of 24 December 2017. Draft "High Seas Treaty" agreed March 2023
OECD: Marine Pollution
Section of official website
OSPAR Commission
Secretariat website Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic
World Bank: Marine Plastic Pollution
Section of official website
World Ocean Council (WOC)
Official website of the "global, cross-sectoral ocean industry leadership alliance committed to “Corporate Ocean Responsibility”, developed by and for the private sector, with a unique and multi-sectoral approach to address cross-cutting issues affecting ocean sustainable development, science and stewardship of the seas."
UN & sustainable development goal 14 (maritime resources)
Official Website. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Finding commentary in the Law Library

Specific subject searches to use in SOLO include:
Marine resources conservation -- Law and legislation
Marine pollution -- Prevention -- Law and legislation
Coastal zone management -- Law and legislation

Broader subject searches (to find relevant chapters in books)
Climatic changes -- Law and legislation
Environmental law, International
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 December 10)

Saving the Oceans Through Law: The International Legal Framework for the Protection of the Marine Environment by James Harrison
Call Number: Holders of an Oxford SSO can read this online via title link
ISBN: 0198707320
Publication Date: 2017
Print copy is at Internat 630 H320.6b if preferred
The Marine Environment and United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 by Myron H. Nordquist (Editor); John Norton Moore (Editor); Ronán Long (Editor)
Call Number: Holders of an Oxford SSO can read this book online via title link
ISBN: 9789004364202
Publication Date: 2018
Climate Change Impacts on Ocean and Coastal Law by Randall S. Abate (Editor); Robin Kundis Craig (Contribution by)
Call Number: Holders of an Oxford SSO can read this online via title link.
ISBN: 0199368740
Publication Date: 2015
Print copy is at Internat 610 A119.5b
Marine Environmental Governance by Erika Techera
Call Number: Holders of an Oxford SSO can read this book online via title link
ISBN: 0415619106
Publication Date: 2012
Print copy is at Internat 610 T254.9a

Open access books available to all with access to the internet

The Environmental Rule of Law for Oceans by editor Froukje Maria Platjouw
Call Number: Open Access book available free to anyone with internet connection
ISBN: 9781009253765
Publication Date: 2023
Open access. Print copy at Internat 630 P716a if preferred
North Sea Region Climate Change Assessment by Markus Quante (Editor); Franciscus Colijn (Editor)
Call Number: Open access title available to all online via title link
ISBN: 9783319819549
Publication Date: 2016
Open access

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Topics

Various topics of ILOS are considered on separate pages in this guide

Arctic
Boundaries & continental shelf
Environment & pollution
Fishing & whaling
IMO & shipping
Piracy & terrorism at sea
Seabed and International Seabed Authority
Underwater cultural heritage
Watercourses
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