Mercury and the GEF

The GEF has a long standing commitment to the elimination of global contaminants, including mercury, which dates back to 1995 when the GEF Council recognized the need for action on mercury.

In recent years the GEF has taken a significant step towards addressing global mercury pollution. Currently the GEF is supporting the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC) process to help advance the development of a global mercury instrument through funding of national and regional projects to help elucidate the challenges of managing and eliminating the use of mercury. We are committed to mainstreaming mercury in the GEF and promoting synergies between mercury and the broader chemicals investments which ensures a cost effective approach and maximizes global environmental benefits.� — Monique Barbut, GEF CEO

Mercury Effects Environmental Impacts

Human Health Impacts

Mercury is a global pollutant, when released, like persistent organic pollutants (POPs), remains in the environment where it circulates among air, water, sediments, soil and biota in various forms. Atmospheric mercury can be transported long distances, incorporated by microorganisms and concentrated up the food chain.

Mercury is a neurotoxin. Exposure to elemental mercury, mercury in food, and mercury vapors may pose significant health risks including kidney, heart and respiratory problems, tremors, skin rashes, vision or hearing problems, headaches, weakness, memory problems, and emotional changes.

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GEF Mercury Strategy A strategy for mercury was elaborated and approved by the GEF Council at its 39th session. The strategy adopts a facilitative approach to address key issue areas and knowledge gaps through projects which can be deployed quickly to inform the intergovernmental negotiation process.

In the 5th replenishment of the GEF (GEF 5) mercury resources are intended to support assessment and pilot activities. The projects will advance the development of the global mercury instrument and improve the ability of countries to implement the provisions of the instrument.

The GEF is supporting project proposals, consistent with the strategy, in the following areas: ■■ Reducing mercury use in products ■■ Reducing mercury use in industrial processes ■■ Reducing mercury use and exposures in artisanal and small-scale gold mining ■■ Enhancing capacity for mercury storage ■■ Reducing atmospheric emissions of mercury ■■ Improved data and scientific information at the national level ■■ Enhancing capacity to address waste and contaminated sites

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The Global Environment Facility

GEF Investments in Mercury Approved Projects Reducing mercury use and exposures in artisanal and small-scale gold mining These projects aim at reducing the impacts of mercury on human health and the environment from artisanal and small scale gold mining in the participating countries.

This will be accomplished by providing relevant health information and introducing cleaner, more efficient, and locally built gold processing techniques that will enable a reduction of 50% mercury use, emissions, and exposure.

Demonstrating and Promoting Best Techniques and Practices for Reducing Healthcare Waste to Avoid Releases of Dioxins and Mercury in Argentina, India, Lebanon, Latvia, Philippines, Senegal, Tanzania, Vietnam, implemented by UNDP — GEF Resources $10.3M; Cofinancing $13.5M Hospital Waste Management Support Project in Vietnam, implemented by the World Bank — GEF Resources 7M; Cofinancing $150M

Minimizing Mercury Releases from Artisanal Gold Mining in Ecuador and Peru, implemented

by UNIDO — GEF Resources $909,000; Cofinancing $2.4M

NIP Update, Integration of POPs into National Planning and Promoting Sound Healthcare Waste Management in Kazakhstan, implemented by UNDP — GEF Resources $3.4; Cofinancing $16M

Minimizing Mercury Releases from Artisanal Gold Mining in West Africa (Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal), implemented by UNIDO — GEF Resources $990,000; Cofinancing $2.4M

Reducing UPOPs and Mercury from the Health Sector in Africa in Ghana, Madagascar, Tanzania, Zambia, implemented by UNDP — GEF Resources $6.5M; Cofinancing $25.8M

Reducing atmospheric emissions of mercury The GEF has approved projects that seek to reduce atmospheric emissions of mercury in both the healthcare and mining sectors.

The following projects aim to address emissions of mercury from the healthcare sector by implementing best environmental practices for non-incineration waste treatment technologies and also replacing of mercury containing devices with mercury-free ones.

The following project addresses emissions of mercury from zinc smelting. It will demonstrate best available techniques and best environmental practices in eliminating emissions of mercury from zinc smelting at two facilities. The project will assist negotiators of the mercury INC in understanding the emissions from nonferrous metals production, zinc in particular, and how to reduce these emissions in a cost effective manner.

Reduction of Mercury Emissions in Zinc Smelting in China, implemented by UNIDO — GEF Resources $990,000; Cofinancing $4M

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Reducing mercury use in products A project has been approved to reduce mercury use in products. This project takes a life-cycle approach at managing a number of mercury containing products and wastes, including lighting, dental sources, and hospital waste. The project will address the issue of mercury storage as well.

Environmentally Sound Life-Cycle Management of Mercury Containing Products and their Wastes in Uruguay, implemented by UNDP — GEF Resources ~$700,000, Cofinancing ~$2.6M

Projects Under Preparation

national inventory in China. The project will also provide a baseline for China’s national pollution control.

Reducing Global and Local Environmental Risks From Primary Mercury Mining in Khaidarkan the Kyrgyz Republic, implemented by UNEP — GEF Resources ~$1M; Cofinancing ~$3M The Khaidarkan mine in southern Kyrgyzstan is the last remaining supplier of primary mined mercury to the international marketplace. This project will examine and provide options for alternative livelihoods. These options will encourage the transition of the Khaidarkan community from primary mercury mining to more environmentally and socially sound economic employment activities, which will allow for the closure of the mine and eliminate the supply of primary mined mercury.

Mercury Inventory in China, implemented by UNEP — GEF Resources ~$1M; Cofinancing ~$3M A detailed inventory undertaken at a provincial level will provide training and experience developing a full

Future Projects The GEF expects to receive a number of new mercury projects in the remainder of GEF 5, including: ■■ Minimizing Mercury Releases from Artisanal Gold Mining and Smelting in Mongolia and Philippines — to be submitted by UNIDO ■■ Mercury Inventories in India, and Africa Region — to be submitted by UNEP ■■ Minimizing Mercury Releases from Artisanal Gold ■■ Mining in Central America — to be submitted by World Bank (Communities and Small-Scale Mining) ■■ Minimizing Mercury Releases from Artisanal Gold Mining in Colombia — to be submitted by Inter-American Development Bank

gef 5

GEF 5 brought a series of new reforms which have increased transparency, responsiveness to country needs, and made funds more accessible. The GEF is uniquely suited to work on global environmental issues because of its scope of projects. As with all project areas, the GEF aims to promote synergies across Focal Areas for mercury. In particular there is opportunity to bring together Chemicals, Climate Change Mitigation, and International Waters to achieve maximum global environmental benefits.

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The Global Environment Facility

PHOTOGRAPHY Page 1: UNIDO Page 2: UNIDO Page 3: UNIDO Page 4: UNDP and UNIDO

Production Credits Robert Dixon, Ibrahima Sow, Evelyn Swain, Anil Sookdeo, Jie Pan, Christian Hofer

ABOUT THE GEF The Global Environmental Facility unites 182 member governments—in partnership with international institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector—to address global environmental issues. An independent financial organization, the GEF provides grants to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. These projects benefit the global environment, linking local, national, and global environmental challenges and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

Established in 1991, the GEF is today the largest funder of projects to improve the global environment. The GEF has allocated US$9.2 billion, supplemented by more than US$40 billion in co-financing, for more than 2,700 projects in more than 165 developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Through its Small Grants Programme, the GEF has also made more than 12,000 small grants directly to nongovernmental and community organizations.

Production Date: June 2012 Design: Patricia Hord.Graphik Design

The GEF partnership includes 10 Agencies: the UN Development Programme, the UN Environment Programme, the World Bank, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the UN Industrial Development Organization, the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the InterAmerican Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. The Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel provides technical and scientific advice on the GEF’s policies and projects.

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