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Continuing large-scale global trade and illegal trade of highly hazardous chemicals

Author

Listed:
  • Hongyan Zou

    (Tianjin Normal University)

  • Tao Wang

    (Tianjin Normal University)

  • Zhong-Liang Wang

    (Tianjin Chengjian University)

  • Zhanyun Wang

    (Empa—Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
    ETH Zürich)

Abstract

Pollution caused by anthropogenic chemicals contributes to interlinked planetary crises, together with climate change and biodiversity loss. One of the key treaties adopted to regulate the transboundary movements of hazardous chemicals is the Rotterdam Convention, which created a framework for countries to better handle the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals. To date, research examining the effectiveness of the Convention has been scarce. Here we analysed 66,156 trade records from the United Nations Comtrade database using a workflow that comprehensively addresses data-quality issues in the database. We found that for 46 listed chemicals, at least 64.5 megatonnes were traded in 2004–2019, and illegal trade was prevalent, reaching at least 25,324 trade records and 25.7 megatonnes. For over 70% of the listed chemicals, the Convention has played a positive role, but large-scale trade of some well-known chemicals such as tetraethyl and tetramethyl lead continues. Concerted efforts are warranted to improve how highly hazardous chemicals are traded globally, including enhancing enforcement of the Convention, addressing illegal trade and swiftly listing problematic chemicals (for example, chrysotile asbestos) in the Convention.

Suggested Citation

  • Hongyan Zou & Tao Wang & Zhong-Liang Wang & Zhanyun Wang, 2023. "Continuing large-scale global trade and illegal trade of highly hazardous chemicals," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(11), pages 1394-1405, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:6:y:2023:i:11:d:10.1038_s41893-023-01158-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-023-01158-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Núñez-Rocha, Thaís & Martínez-Zarzoso, Inmaculada, 2019. "Are international environmental policies effective? The case of the Rotterdam and the Stockholm Conventions," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 480-502.
    2. Qifan Liu & Li Li & Xianming Zhang & Amandeep Saini & Wenlong Li & Hayley Hung & Chunyan Hao & Kun Li & Patrick Lee & Jeremy J. B. Wentzell & Chunyan Huo & Shao-Meng Li & Tom Harner & John Liggio, 2021. "Uncovering global-scale risks from commercial chemicals in air," Nature, Nature, vol. 600(7889), pages 456-461, December.
    3. Fiona Kinniburgh & Henrik Selin & Noelle E. Selin & Miranda Schreurs, 2023. "When private governance impedes multilateralism: The case of international pesticide governance," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(2), pages 425-448, April.
    4. Henrik Selin, 2012. "Global Environmental Governance and Regional Centers," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 12(3), pages 18-37, August.
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