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Partnerships
The UNEP Governing
Council has agreed to the development and implementation of partnerships
as one approach to reducing the risks to human health and the environment
from the release of mercury and its compounds to the environment, and
urges Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations
and the private sector to develop and implement such partnerships, in a
clear, transparent and accountable manner. This web page will keep you
updated on progress gained by Governments and other stakeholders in
implementing such partnerships.
Based on needs
identified and suggestions made by countries, the main partnership areas
and associated objectives currently identified include:
Mercury Management in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining – The
objectives are to work with mining communities to develop and implement
options to reduce mercury use and exposure as well as to deploy improved
mercury management techniques and improve access to best practices
targeted toward community based organizations.
Mercury Control from
Coal Combustion – The objectives are to share information on and
increase understanding of the contribution of mercury emissions from the
power sector; options for control strategies, including existing
multi-pollutant approaches to reducing mercury emissions; and the
cost-effectiveness of newly emerging mercury and multi-pollutant
technology.
Mercury
Reduction in the Chlor-alkali Sector
– The objective is to move towards better practices as appropriate for
this sector, exploring the entire range of mercury management options from
implementing best practices for existing mercury cells to replacing
mercury cells with non-mercury options.
Mercury Reduction in
Products - Key product areas identified under this partnership area
include: batteries, dental amalgams, measuring and control (largely
medical sector), electric and electronic switches, fluorescent lamps,
cosmetics. The objective is to reduce or eliminate mercury in products
where effective and cost-efficient substitutes exist as well as reduce
releases during manufacturing, industrial processes and disposal.
Mercury Air Transport
and Fate Research – The objective is to
improve global understanding of international mercury emissions sources,
fate and transport.
UNEP is currently consulting with governments and stakeholders on
strengthening of the UNEP Mercury Partnership Programme as mandated under
UNEP Governing Council Decision 24/3/27.
The process of establishing partnerships and country input can be accessed
here.
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