The draft European Convention of the Council of Europe for the protection of international watercourses against pollution

In: Netherlands yearbook of international law: NYIL, Band 6, S. 167-198

Abstract

In the past few decades the quality of European rivers and lakes has deteriorated considerably as a result of the growth of population and the expansion of industrial and agricultural activities. Since pollution does not stop at State frontiers riparian States of international watercourses must cooperate in fighting it. In the course of time a number of European States have therefore agreed on treaty provisions to counteract the pollution of certain international rivers or lakes. The first of these provisions are to be found in certain fisheries agreements concluded at the end of the 19th century. Further, since the Second World War, treaties have been concluded especially for the purpose of abating pollution. However, these provisions and treaties –which have a limited geographic scope and vary in nature– have as yet not been very effective.