Systems for the law’s smooth operation are being strengthened.

Besides those mentioned above, as a part of policy for conservation and management of wildlife, the bill to establish a system for the precise and smooth implementation of the Cartagena Protocol, which provides an international framework concerning export and import of living modified organisms, is being submitted to the Diet.

### 7. Conservation of Global Environment

## (1) Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste

There are global environmental problems other than global warming, destruction of the ozone layer, acid deposition and pollution of the oceans discussed so far. From the 1970s to the 1980s, developed nations exported toxic waste materials to developing nations with looser regulations and cheaper processing fees where the waste was inappropriately treated or illegally dumped, causing environmental pollution. There were also repeated occurrences of ships carrying toxic wastes drifting on the ocean without a destination because they had been denied permission to unload. With this

**Backdrop**, the problem of transboundary movement of hazardous wastes became recognized by the international community as requiring global efforts. In 1992, the Basel Convention came into effect. As of March 2003, 155 nations including Japan, and the EC had joined the Convention.

## (2) Deforestation

Forests have multiple functions, including the provision of living and breeding grounds for wildlife and the absorption of carbon dioxide. From 1990 to 2000, approximately 94 million hectares of forests disappeared in the world. Because of this, the importance of conservation and sustainable management of forests, including combating illegal logging, has been recognized. In 2000, the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) was established and since then has been involved in the promotion and implementation of a number of proposals for action.

Annual Changes in Forest Areas (1990–2000)

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment from State of the World Forest 2001, FAO

Current State of Desertification

## (3) Desertification

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on Desertification Control Bulletin (1991), UNEP

Besides the aridity of the soil, desertification includes soil erosion, salinization and the decrease of natural plant species. Desertification is a global problem. According to a UNEP survey, about 1/4 of all land area in the world is subject to the influences of desertification, which is about 70% of the arable arid area, affecting about 1/6 of the world's population or 900 million people. For this reason, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) came into effect in 1996, and currently many measures are proceeding to effectively implement this convention.

## ○ Measures to be Implemented in FY 2003

In the Quality of the Environment in Japan 2003, the environmental conservation measures that are planned for FY 2003 based on the Basic Environment Plan are reported in the structure shown below.

Chapter One: Measures for Various Environmental Problems

Chapter Two: Basis of Various Measures, and Measures Facilitating the Participation of Various Actors

Chapter Three: Promotion of International Activities

Chapter Four: Effective Implementation of the Basic Environment Plan