an innovative approach to toxic and hazardous substance management: the mongolian experience...
TRANSCRIPT
An Innovative Approach to Toxic and Hazardous Substance Management: The Mongolian Experience
Presented By:
Ms. Candace Chandra CEO, Canary Strategies, LLCPO Box 684902Austin, Texas 78768
Phone: 512-785-6346Email: [email protected]
Presentation Overview Mongolian Context
Project Description
Legislative Project Component
Public Awareness Component
Recommendations for the Future
Success Story?
Mongolian Context Local and National governments working hard to promote
legislative change and public awareness
Transportation/customs issues on Russia and China borders
Industrial chemical use increasing nationwide
Striving to meet requirements of International Conventions Stockholm Convention on POPs defines banned and restricted
Persistent Organic Pollutants and encourages their regulation Rotterdam Convention on international trade and prior
informed consent promotes shared responsibility and transparency in international trade of chemicals
Basel Convention on transport and disposal of hazardous waste provides legal framework for controlling the movement of toxic wastes
“Wet” or “blue” hides at the family-run tannery, the blue color is caused by the presence of Cr+4.
Family-run tannery drying and stretching hides outdoors
Leaking railcar container used to store bags of cyanide, ammonia, and Cr+3 near the UB tanneries, intended for sale to other tanneries in the area.
Storage space at Belon Tannery used for excess chemicals and wet skins. The floor is wet with Cr+4 contaminated water
Belon Tannery, machines for tumbling skins with solutions. Wooden slats in the lower left of the picture are covering the open sewage line which channels the drained solution from these machines.
Customs, Transportation, Industrial Points of Interest in Mongolia
Excess stores of H2SO4 at Erdenet Mining Company.
Machines mixing lime with copper ore at Erdenet.
Erdenet Mining Company, a copper mine
Project Description
Project Objective: Provide input for amendment of existing laws on toxic substances Goal 1: Review existing legislation, and
develop recommendations for improvement of existing laws and regulations
Goal 2: Design a national-level public awareness campaign
Goal 1: Review of Existing Legislation on Toxic & Hazardous Substances Assist with upgrade of national legislation
on Toxic & Hazardous Substances Develop strong working group for
legislative review Ensure corresponding regulations updated Include in amended legislation:
Risk assessment Penalties Customs issues Disposal technologies Compliance with International Conventions
Goal 1: Legislative Component Flow-Chart
Outdated Chemical Legislation
Technical Background
Research
Presentations and Advisory Role
Working Groups
Advisors to Standing Committee on Nature and Environment
WWF Mongolia Liaison and Coordination with Parliament
National Workshops and Parliamentary Working
Groups
Revised Legislation put to vote in Parliament
Revising & Researching Legislation and
Regulations
Prioritization of banned chemicals
with fundingInternational
Standards
Risk Assessment
Disposal Technologies
Positive and Negative incentives
Goal 1: Accomplishments Law amended and agreed upon by all
relevant partners
Over 300 regulations updated to reflect changes in amended law
Working group established new channels of communication
International Conventions incorporated into new legislation
Goal 2: Design a National-level Public Awareness Campaign
Collaborate with WWF Mongolia and Working Group on audiences, taglines and message
WWF Mongolia produces and distributes materials including press releases and fliers
WWF Mongolia presence at professional workshops and presentations
Suggest methods for gathering feedback
Goal 2: Public Awareness Campaign Outputs Documentary film “Silent Death” TV Advertisement on hazards of batteries TV & radio interviews of WWF Mongolia Toxics Officer News releases on proper disposal of household waste Article published about mercury contamination Radio program based on brochure “Chemicals in the
Household” Handbook on International Conventions and Decisions
on Toxic Chemical Safety Mongolian translation of FAO’s “Pesticide Storage and
Stock Control Manual” Workshops on chemical regulation
WWF MN TV Announcement about Batteries
Goal 2: Public Awareness Campaign Flow-Chart
Strategic Plan and Timeline
WWF Mongolia Public Awareness
Implementation
Television Announcements
Professional Trainings
Newspaper Articles
Outcome indeterminate, as no feedback
mechanism used in tracking indicators
Information on public awareness strategies
Correspondence with WWF Mongolia project
implementers
Sample indicators
Initial Agreement between the World Bank
and WWF Mongolia Radio Programs
Training for Schoolchildren
Taglines & Key Issues
Training in Indicators and
Sample Campaigns
Indicator Data collection delayed but
forthcoming
Goal 2: Accomplishments Implementation of numerous workshops,
flyers, radio, print, and TV interviews
Distribution of informational newsletters targeting teachers and schoolchildren
Trainings conducted for customs officials, university students, and professionals
Short documentary under development targeting general public
Short-term Recommended Next Steps
Amnesty Program Take place at Nadaam Festival 2006 Implement idea of positive incentives for limiting public chemical use Regulate unlabeled and expired chemicals stored around Mongolia Train the public in newly classified banned chemicals & their disposal Develop system for testing, storage, and disposal of chemicals onsite at
festival Research and develop system to track efficacy of training
Consider broadening scope to focus on classes of chemicals such as halogens, VOCs, and on industries other than mining
Train local implementers in indicator development, feedback mechanisms, and statistical data gathering
Create a glossary of terms with detailed definitions of technical and policy terms
Establish effective feedback mechanisms for public awareness campaign
Amnesty Program Take place at Nadaam Festival 2006
Implement idea of positive incentives for limiting public chemical use
Regulate unlabeled and expired chemicals stored around Mongolia
Train the public in newly classified banned chemicals & their disposal
Develop system for testing, storage, and disposal of chemicals onsite at festival
Research and develop system to track efficacy of training
Success Story? Local NGO involvement
Cooperation among Mongolian ministries and agencies
Designing and Implementing Public Awareness Campaign
Opportunities for knowledge transfer
World Bank Role
Local NGO Involvement Liaise with Parliament and Working Groups
Technical presentations to National Conference
On-the-ground public awareness activities
Publications and data gathering
Media interviews
Cooperation of 23 Mongolian Ministries & Agencies
Parliament of Mongolia Ministry for Nature and
Environment Ministry of Food and
Agriculture Ministry of Trade and
Industry Ministry of Justice and
Home Affairs Ministry of Health Disinfection Society Ministry of Social Welfare
and Labor Institute of Social Health
State Specialized Supervision Agency
General State Customs Office
National Center for Standardization and Meteorology
The Institute of Chemistry Mongolian National
University National Chamber of
Commerce and Industry Eco Asia Institute Health Emergency
Management Agency
Opportunities for Knowledge Transfer
Ministerial Working Groups drew heavily from World Bank Advisor’s international policy expertise
Staff from office of local implementer presented at international conferences
Designing and Implementing Public Awareness Campaign
Good rapport between WWF Mongolia project staff and international consultants
Collaborative effort designing and implementing campaign
Local implementers in-country with expert support from consultants
World Bank Role Initially held advisory role in project
Later, local implementers requested hands-on expertise, particularly with public awareness campaign
Canary Strategies Research expertise Technical expertise Public awareness expertise International, Central Asian expertise