Programme "Protection of the Marine and Terrestrial Environment" (IAEA Programme H)
Rationale:
The United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED) held in
Rio in 1992 produced several agreements including
Agenda 21 and the 27 principles of the Rio
Declaration. Many of them addressed environmental
issues and emphasized that, in order to achieve
sustainable development, environmental protection
efforts conducted at the international level should be
an integral part of the development process. In 2002
this global commitment to sustainable development
was once again reinvigorated at the World Summit
on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in
Johannesburg. Here a comprehensive review and
assessment of the progress achieved since Rio was
carried out and recommendations for future actions
were made for the maintenance of a high quality of
the ocean and fresh waters, soil, air and other natural
resources without compromising industrial and
agriculture production.
In the framework of its mandate aiming at
encouraging and assisting practical applications of,
and research on, nuclear techniques for development
and environmental health, and responding to the
request of its Member States, the Agency has over
the years demonstrated that these play an important
role in the protection of the environment from
radioactive and non-radioactive pollutants. Within
this programme, the transfer and behaviour of
radionuclides and non-radioactive pollutants in the
marine as well as terrestrial environment are
investigated to develop and improve transfer models
used for impact assessments and to elaborate
appropriate remediation strategies for stakeholders
dealing with environmental issues. New aspects of
the programme are the strengthening of radioecology
for the protection of terrestrial environments and
contribution to climate change investigations.
The programme will contribute to the ecological and
economic sustainability and conservation of clean
and healthy environments, and risk assessment and
reduction for human well-being. It will further
provide scientific information and assistance to
international organizations such as WHO, UNDP,
UNEP and FAO and enhance capacity building of
Member States in Eastern Europe, South America,
Africa and Asia experiencing elevated levels of
radiation or pollution of either natural or
anthropogenic origin.
Objective:
To enhance the capability of Member
States in the use of nuclear techniques for the
identification and mitigation of environmental
problems caused by radioactive and non-radioactive
pollutants.
MEL's Subprogrammes :
Subprogramme H.2 : Radioecology Laboratory
Subprogramme H.3 : Marine Environmental Studies Laboratory
