COP5 Preview

The document identifies four primary areas of focus for the COP5 meeting in Geneva: the potential banning of the pesticide endosulfan, the elimination of newly listed persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and the review of DDT and lindane exemptions, the improvement of the Convention's effectiveness regarding compliance and voting, and the closing of the funding gap for developing countries. It also notes the United States' status as an observer and the legislative hurdles preventing its ratification of the treaty.

• CIEL is advocating for the total elimination of endosulfan, a pesticide linked to over 150 diseases and abnormalities that remains in use in 27 countries, despite being banned or phased out by 80 countries.
• Parties at COP5 are expected to discuss the elimination of nine POPs added at COP4 in 2009, specifically targeting chemicals like brominated flame retardants that have many exemptions, as well as reviewing the continued need for DDT and lindane.
• The effectiveness of the Stockholm Convention is hindered by unresolved issues regarding the handling of countries that fail to meet treaty obligations, the lack of a voting mechanism (requiring consensus for decisions), and coordination with other global agreements on hazardous wastes and dangerous chemicals.
• There is a significant shortfall between the funds available through the Convention's financial mechanism and the incremental costs developed countries agreed to pay to help developing countries meet their obligations.
• The United States remains an observer to the Stockholm Convention because ratification has been delayed by the need for changes to federal laws concerning industrial chemicals and pesticides, although a new Senate proposal may address this.

APA

Kistler, A. (2011). COP5 Preview. Center for International Environmental Law. https://www.ciel.org/cop5-preview/

Chicago

Kistler, Amanda. COP5 Preview. Center for International Environmental Law, 2011. https://www.ciel.org/cop5-preview/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kistler |first1=Amanda |title=COP5 Preview |publisher=Center for International Environmental Law |date=22 April 2011 |url=https://www.ciel.org/cop5-preview/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kistler2011cop5, author = {Kistler, Amanda}, title = {{COP5 Preview}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2011}, month = apr, url = {https://www.ciel.org/cop5-preview/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }