An ICCM side event, "Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers as a tool to support the implementation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management: Experience, challenges and opportunities" was held on 11 May 2009 in Geneva, on the opening day of the Second International Conference on Chemicals Management.
The side event brought together some 45 experts on chemicals and environmental management. It was organized by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and UNECE on behalf of the International PRTR Coordinating Group, an interagency group promoting PRTR development in over 50 countries. Mr. Georg Karlaganis (Switzerland) chaired the session.
Ms. Olga Speranskaza (Russian Federation), NGO Eco-accord spokesperson and recipient of the 2009 Goldman Environmental Prize Europe, was a featured speaker.
Mr. Craig Boljkovac (UNITAR) outlined the role of the International PRTR Coordinating Group and efforts undertaken through the SAICM Quick Start Programme to prepare developing countries and countries with economies in transition to implement PRTRs and strategic chemical agreements.
Mr. Michael Stanley-Jones (UNECE) illustrated how the Kiev Protocol on PRTRs supported specific activities of the SAICM Global Plan of Action, multilateral environment and climate change agreements.
Mr. Jorge Ocana (United Nations Environment Programme) introduced the GEF Global POPs PRTR Project, which is designing six national PRTR systems in three continents and cooperating with seven Latin American countries on furthering PRTR in the region.
Ms. Speranskaza presented the development of local and regional PRTRs in the Russian Federation being supported through the cooperative efforts of NGOs and industry.
Mr. Henrik Harjula (OECD) offered a variety of online resources available through the global portal of PRTR information, PRTR.net, including the PRTR Data Centre supported by the Government of Japan and the PRTR Centre on Resource Estimation Techniques. PRTR.net is hosted by UNECE through its partnership with UNEP/GRID-Arendal and the OECD.
Dr. Karlaganis described the process of obtaining support for development of the Swiss national PRTR from the cantonal authorities and industry.
During the question and answer session following the panel, Dr. Afaj Al'Shoak (Bahrain) asked how PRTRs support transboundary reporting of pollutants.
"PRTRs developed in accordance with the Kiev Protocol require the destination of transboundary hazardous waste above a threshold value to be reported, including whether the waste is to be recycled or disposed. Such information could be used to support the objectives of the Basel Convention," said Mr. Stanley-Jones. "Information from facilities on their greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) could be used to support reporting of national GHG inventories to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change."
