London Convention and Protocol parties adopt marine geoengineering assessment frameworks
Parties to the London Convention (1972) and London Protocol (1996), meeting at the International Maritime Organization in London on 5–9 October 2026, adopted frameworks to assess research on three marine geoengineering methods: ocean fertilization, ocean alkalinity enhancement and ocean sinking of biomass. Every proposal must show a legitimate scientific purpose, assess environmental risks and report its monitoring openly.
Syllabus: Prelims · Current Affairs & IR; Prelims · Environment & Ecology; GS3 · Environment & Conservation
Why it matters
A fishing family on any coast depends on plankton, fish and oxygen-rich water. A venture that poured iron or crushed rock into the sea to claim carbon storage could set off an algal bloom or alter the water's chemistry before anyone measured the benefit. Under the frameworks, such a project must show it is genuine research, weigh its risks, consult the people affected, publish its monitoring and face a review afterwards. The larger issue is how the world governs carbon dioxide removal: the ocean already absorbs a large share of the carbon dioxide humans emit, scientific and commercial interest is growing, and the rules set now decide whether experiments stay small, open and accountable.
Prelims pointers
- London Convention, 1972: Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter; in force 1975; bans listed wastes, permits others.
- London Protocol, 1996: in force 2006; bans all dumping except wastes on its Annex 1 'reverse list'; prohibits incineration at sea; requires a precautionary approach.
- International Maritime Organization: UN specialised agency for shipping, headquartered in London; secretariat for the London Convention and Protocol; also administers MARPOL.
- Precautionary approach: Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration (Earth Summit, 1992); lack of full scientific certainty must not postpone measures against serious or irreversible damage.
- Ocean alkalinity enhancement: alkaline minerals or lime added to seawater turn more dissolved carbon dioxide into bicarbonate, raising uptake and countering ocean acidification.
- Ocean fertilization: most field trials added iron where it limits phytoplankton, as in the Southern Ocean; dead plankton sinking carries carbon to the deep sea.
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 210: dumping in a coastal state's territorial sea, exclusive economic zone or continental shelf needs its express prior approval.
- BBNJ Agreement: adopted in 2023 under UNCLOS to conserve marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, that is, the high seas and the international seabed.
Practise a UPSC-style question
With reference to the London Convention (1972) and the London Protocol (1996), consider the following statements:
1. The London Protocol prohibits dumping of wastes at sea except those on a list of permitted materials.
2. The United Nations Environment Programme provides the secretariat for both the Convention and the Protocol.
3. The London Protocol requires its Parties to apply a precautionary approach to protection from dumping.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show the answer
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
1 is correct: the 1996 Protocol uses a 'reverse list', banning all dumping except wastes listed in its Annex 1. 2 is incorrect: the International Maritime Organization, not UNEP, provides the secretariat for both treaties. 3 is correct: the Protocol obliges Parties to apply a precautionary approach, which the new geoengineering frameworks also follow.
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