Reports and terms of reference
PRTR as a Reporting Mechanism for Mercury Releases and Transfers
UNEP Governing Council Decision 25/5 (III) specifically requests that an International Negotiating Committee (INC) be convened with the mandate of developing a global legally binding instrument on mercury. The INC should consider inter alia provisions to reduce atmospheric emissions of mercury, to address compliance, to address mercury containing waste and to increase knowledge through awareness raising and scientific information exchange. The INC should also consider prioritization of the various sources of mercury releases for action, as well as the need to achieve cooperation and coordination with relevant provisions contained in other international agreements and processes.
Specifically looking to a global legally-binding instrument on mercury, PRTRs offer the potential to:
- Enhance and consolidate national mercury emissions inventories;
- Provide reliable information on anthropogenic mercury emissions at the facility, state (regional) and national level;
- Inform on location and quantities (measured and/or estimated) of mercury used and mercury wastes;
- Identify hot-spots on mercury emissions;
- Provide information on emissions trends over the years;
- Facilitate access to updated information on mercury emissions;
- Facilitate stakeholders involvement through the inherent participation of stakeholders in the PRTR development process;
- Assist countries to comply with foreseen reporting requirements of the treaty; and
- Serve as a practical basis from which the effectiveness of voluntary and regulatory actions intended to decrease mercury emissions can be assessed.
Further information on PRTR and mercury may be found in the information document prepared by the International PRTR Coordinating Group for submittal to the Open Ended Working Group on mercury meeting in Bangkok, 19-23 October 2009.
Pollutant release and transfer register as a reporting mechanism for mercury releases and transfers (UNEP(DTIE)/Hg/WG.Prep.1/INF/2)
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Report of the fifth meeting (Paris, 18 May 2010) eng
Report of the special meeting (Geneva, 22 April 2010) eng
Report of the fourth meeting (Paris, 10 March 2009) eng
Report of the third meeting (Paris, 11 March 2008) eng
Summary report of the second meeting (Copenhagen, 26 February 2007) eng
Report of the first meeting (Ghent, Belgium, 20 March 2006) eng
Summary report of the first meeting eng
Terms of Reference eng