Programme Portfolio
CHEMICALS
& WASTE MANAGEMENT
Acknowledgements: UNITAR would like to thank all of its project partners and stakeholders for their collaboration in the implementation of activities. This is integral to our work and contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In addition, UNITAR would like to thank donors and partners for supporting this work: The Governments of Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland, the European Commission, and the Nordic Chemical Group. The United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, UN Environment, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, World Health Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Africa Institute, Basel Convention Coordinating Centre-Stockholm Convention Regional Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean in Uruguay, Groundwork Friends of the Earth South Africa, and the Institute of Marine Research. We also acknowledge partners in previous activities that have contributed to the development of the Chemicals and Waste Management Programme portfolio as it is today.
PRTR
Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs)
Activities
PRTRs are systems that provide information on a regular basis on toxic substances released into air, water, or land. Information on emissions from point sources (e.g. industrial facilities) or non-point sources (e.g. agriculture, transportation) is presented through an official website.
assist countries with designing and implementing PRTRs in line with national policies and agendas
PRTRs provide users with open access to information on releases, enhancing transparency and accountability by providing geographic locations of facilities that release pollutants. PRTRs can provide an incentive for finding innovative solutions that can reduce pollution and lead to sustainable increases in productivity, as well as facilitate compliance with environmental standards and international agreements.
provide customizable trainings for different stakeholders and sectors, including national and regional workshops
develop and update documents and tools in support of PRTR design and implementation
provide on-the-ground training on data collection, estimating releases, and reporting share lessons-learned in international forums and liaise with key actors linking PRTR systems with global conventions and initiatives, e.g. Principle 10 and the Aarhus Convention, and the Climate Change, Stockholm, and Minamata Conventions
Data collection and industry training in Mongolia
develop accessible online platforms to provide users with: a collection of guidance documents and national PRTR strategies online trainings social media networks
PRTR
Since 1995, UNITAR has delivered training and supported PRTR design activities in more than 20 countries. UNITAR’s PRTR methodology has proved to be easy-to-use and effective in assisting countries during the various steps of design and implementation.
UNITAR PRTRs capacity building (2015-2018) national workshops attended by more than at least
165 government officials and national experts
300 industrial facilities trained on technical aspects of PRTR reporting
6 countries implemented and considered PRTR elements as part of their national legislation raised awareness of more than 3,000 people from the private sector, NGOs, academia, and
civil society
PRTRs worldwide
More information prtr.unitar.org
Active PRTRs UNITAR’s PRTR activities Expressed interest in PRTRs PRTR activities initiated No information
UNITAR’s PRTRs Community UNITAR Professional PRTRs Network cwm@unitar.org
MERCURY
Mercury Mercury has significant adverse neurological and other health effects, with particular concerns expressed about its harmful effects on infants and unborn children. In response, the United Nations initiated work to establish the Minamata Convention, to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury. This includes measures to control the supply and trade of mercury, mercury-added products and manufacturing processes in which mercury is used, and artisanal and smallscale gold mining (ASGM).
Women carrying ore in an ASGM community
We support countries as they undertake processes to
ratify and implement the requirements of the Convention establish inventories of mercury releases and emissions develop their Minamata Initial Assessments develop their National Action Plans to address ASGM
UNITAR has an extensive portfolio of projects, supporting countries and other institutions in their approaches to managing mercury (in collaboration with other UN agencies, the Global Environment Facility [GEF] and other donors). We do this through online training, face-to-face training, on-theground interventions and assessments with communities, and guidance materials.
MERCURY
As part of our efforts as a partner of the Global Mercury Partnership, we have coordinated the development of the Handbook for Developing National ASGM Formalization Strategies within National Action Plans and the SocioEconomic ASGM Research Methodology. UNITAR has also developed KoBoCollect, an electronic data collection
application to facilitate understanding of local situations. Furthermore, UNITAR has collaborated with UN Environment to provide expert guidance on developing inventories for mercury emissions and releases, through an online learning tool: MercuryLearn.
UNITAR has supported
20 governments in ratification processes more than 25 governments for their Minamata Initial Assessments and inventories for mercury over 200 professionals taking the course on developing inventories for mercury
more than
UNITAR’s mercury activities
More information mercury.unitar.org mercurylearn.unitar.org cwm@unitar.org
WASTE
Waste Management Half of the world’s population lacks access to waste management services. Open burning and dumping remain prevalent in many developing countries. This is compounded by the generation of hazardous waste, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) – including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and unintentional POPs (uPOPs) – and electronic waste. Sound waste management, which includes the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), can contribute to shifting the planet towards a sustainable future. This can also generate employment and economic growth.
UNITAR supports countries in achieving the sound management of waste.
This typically involves conducting national chemicals and waste management needs assessments developing national strategies supporting awareness raising providing training, capacity building, guidance, and methodologies to address the legal, institutional, administrative, and technical aspects of waste management
Schoolchildren walking through a dumpsite
Multi-stakeholder frameworks facilitate this support, with partners at the national level including government, business and industry, and civil society. At international level, partners include the Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), European Commission (EC), and others.
WASTE
Waste management projects supported by UNITAR include PCB management in Ethiopia, in cooperation with UNDP, and funded by GEF waste management to reduce uPOPs in The Gambia, in cooperation with UNDP, and funded by GEF waste management to reduce uPOPs in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, in cooperation with UNIDO, and funded by GEF addressing illegal trade and management of waste by developing tools for enforcement, forensics, and capacity building, in cooperation with consortium partners, funded by the EC
Partnerships In March 2018, UNITAR, along with the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UN Environment, UNIDO, United Nations University (UNU), and the Basel and Stockholm Conventions, signed a Letter of Intent paving the way for international coordination and collaboration for e-waste management as part of an E-waste Coalition.
Future focal areas – the Circular Economy UNITAR is exploring partnerships to support the sound management of plastics and e-waste, within the circular economy.
Guidance development UNITAR, in collaboration with UN Environment, has prepared Guidelines for National Waste Management Strategies: Moving from Challenges to Opportunities, in English, French, and Spanish.
More information unitar.org cwm@unitar.org
GHS
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) The GHS is an internationally-agreed system, setting criteria for the classification of chemical hazards and offers protective measures through labels and safety data sheets. Since 2003, over 60 countries around the world have begun to implement the system. The GHS offers a powerful tool for the international chemicals and waste-related agreements, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and international trade.
GHS awareness-raising in Thailand
UNITAR supports
the development of national assessments awareness-raising activities GHS implementation strategies specific learning needs
With experience gained from regional and national projects, a long-standing e-Learning course, the Programme Advisory Group, and partnerships with the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) Participating Organizations and other experts, UNITAR is uniquely placed to provide capacity building. Within the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the GHS, UNITAR and the International Labour Organization (ILO) act as focal points for capacity building in developing countries.
GHS
Since 2001, UNITAR has supported
25 national GHS projects 4 regional GHS projects (in the Central and
Eastern European [CEE], and Latin American and Caribbean [LAC] regions)
2
projects in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (plus China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea) In addition, UNITAR has organised
10
regional workshops on GHS in the African, Asia-Pacific, CEE, and LAC regions
GHS pictograms Image credit: United Nations
Activities include development of GHS situation analyses and implementation plans training and awareness-raising on GHS for all sectors strengthening involvement of civil society and industry development of relevant legislation More information
3,000
Around government, industry, and nongovernmental beneficiaries have been trained through these activities, with over
150 passing our e-Learning course.
unitar.org cwm@unitar.org
EMERGING ISSUES
Emerging Issues UNITAR is able to provide support for work on new, emerging issues, taking advantage of our flexible organizational model. We are happy to collaborate with governments, and UN, civil society and private sector organizations in planning activities on such issues.
Nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials Nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials is a growing industry which creates an array of economic and social benefits, while potential risks to human health and the environment are, to date, not fully known. As a result, numerous nanomaterial-containing products are present in the supply chain and placed on the market, creating the need to prepare appropriate regulations and safety standards. A nanoparticle has a nominal diameter smaller than about 100 nanometres (nm); a human hair is approximately 80,000 nm wide.
Illustrations of typical manufactured nanomaterials C-60 fullerene, carbon nanotube and graphene
EMERGING ISSUES
UNITAR has organized regional workshops to raise awareness on the issue of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, supported the dissemination of key documents (such as the World Health Organization [WHO] guidelines on protecting workers from potential risk of manufactured nanomaterials), and shares information about activities from each region. Products containing nanomaterials available in a marketplace Photo credit: Togo Welfare
Furthermore, UNITAR has supported projects to develop national policies to manage imports and use of nanomaterials, and safe handling. In addition, UNITAR has an e-Learning course available for the topic and access to key, global experts.
UNITAR works on the issue of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), increasing awareness of this emerging issue supporting the development of national policies
More information unitar.org cwm@unitar.org
INTERNATIONAL POLICY
International Policy UNITAR is committed to supporting the development and implementation of international policy related to the sound management of chemicals and waste. As part of the support provided to the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the beyond 2020 process, UNITAR has developed numerous guidance materials. It has also provided technical assistance and training on relevant topics of international and national interest (e.g. National Profiles), and has organized workshops to share lessons-learned and good practices from other global initiatives.
Aichi Targets workshop
Photo credit: Paul Hohnen
Guidance materials To support national implementation of chemicals and waste activities, the SAICM Secretariat and UNITAR, in collaboration with the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) Participating Organizations, prepared Guidance for Developing SAICM Implementation Plans. UNITAR has also prepared guidance documents to develop national priority setting and the development of national action plans, among others.
Technical assistance and training UNITAR has served as an international executing agency for more than 70 projects supported by the SAICM Quick Start Programme Trust Fund, developing national assessments and plans. In addition, more than 100 countries, including several Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Member countries, have prepared and updated their National Profiles, following the UNITAR/IOMC National Profile Guidance Document.
INTERNATIONAL POLICY
Beyond 2020 UNITAR has actively participated and provided input to the international process to develop a framework for the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020. For example, UNITAR has organized, with support from the Government of Germany, a workshop entitled: The Aichi Biodiversity Targets - Are approaches and lessons from the biodiversity cluster relevant for the management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020? This workshop gathered participants from different stakeholder groups to share experiences from the biodiversity cluster, and provided an opportunity to reflect on how their experiences could inform thinking relevant to the beyond-2020 process.
UNITAR’s support
100
More than countries have used the UNITAR Guidance on National Profiles
6,300
and more than national officers and stakeholders have been trained on the management of chemicals and waste in relation to SAICM projects
60
people attended the UNITAR Over workshop on the Aichi Targets and relevance to the management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020
4,000 people have been briefed and more than 2,000 people More than
trained on the use of the IOMC Toolbox
IOMC Toolbox UNITAR works with the IOMC to develop and promote the IOMC Toolbox. The Toolbox is a problem-solving tool that enables countries to identify the most appropriate and efficient national actions to address challenges related to the management of chemicals. The Toolbox includes eight management schemes and five toolkits. At each step, it presents the relevant IOMC tools, guidance documents, and training materials, all available online.
More information unitar.org iomctoolbox.oecd.org cwm@unitar.org
Chemicals and Waste Management Programme Division for Planet United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Palais des Nations | CH-1211 Geneva 10 | Switzerland cwm@unitar.org | www.unitar.org