In response to growing global environmental challenges, Botswana has taken significant steps to strengthen border controls against the illegal cross-border movement of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and hazardous waste. A recent three-day virtual workshop organized by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Ozone Secretariat and the Basel Convention Secretariat equipped Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) officers with enhanced skills to implement international environmental agreements.
The Silent Threat: ODS and Hazardous Waste
Ozone-depleting substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons, once widely used in refrigeration, foam blowing, and solvents, continue to pose environmental risks despite global phase-out efforts. These chemicals damage the Earth's protective ozone layer, increasing ultraviolet radiation exposure that leads to higher risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and ecological damage.
Simultaneously, illegal hazardous waste shipments threaten developing nations, as criminals attempt to bypass strict environmental regulations and disposal costs. These wastes - including toxic, explosive, corrosive, or infectious materials - can cause severe pollution to soil, water, and air if improperly handled.
Customs: The First Line of Defense
Customs officers serve as crucial guardians against these environmental threats. As frontline border personnel, they must identify and intercept illegal shipments while facilitating legitimate trade. Effective customs controls protect both national environments and global ecological security.
The workshop, part of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)-funded WCO Trade Facilitation and Customs Modernization (TFCM) program, brought together 17 representatives from BURS, Botswana's Department of Waste Management and Pollution Control, Department of Meteorological Services, and international organizations.
Key Workshop Focus Areas
Participants engaged in intensive discussions on critical implementation aspects of the Basel and Montreal Protocols:
Basel Convention Framework:
The training covered hazardous waste definitions, classification systems, transboundary movement procedures, and measures to prevent illegal trafficking. Case studies helped officers recognize practical challenges in identifying misdeclared shipments and handling unauthorized transfers.
Montreal Protocol Controls:
Officers learned about phase-out targets, controlled substance lists, import/export licensing systems, and alternative technologies. Experts shared practical techniques to detect illegally traded ODS, including methods to identify false commodity descriptions and use detection equipment.
Customs' Critical Role:
The workshop emphasized customs' responsibilities in inspecting goods, identifying violations, and seizing illegal environmental shipments. Participants explored strategies to strengthen cooperation with environmental agencies, police, and international partners.
Risk Management and Intelligence:
Training included risk assessment methodologies to prioritize high-risk shipments and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to combat environmental crime networks more effectively.
Building Sustainable Capacity
The workshop significantly enhanced BURS officers' understanding of environmental agreement implementation while strengthening interagency collaboration commitments. Under the ongoing Sida-WCO TFCM program, Botswana will receive additional technical assistance to address identified needs in implementing WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement provisions.
This initiative demonstrates the international community's shared commitment to addressing environmental challenges through strengthened customs capabilities and global cooperation.